Come join us for an unforgettable experience with the renowned artist David Datuna. Witness his mesmerizing illusions come to life right before your eyes. Get ready to be amazed and captivated by his unique blend of art and creativity. This in-person event is a rare opportunity to see his work up close and personal. Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the world of American Illusion!

David Datuna: American Illusion

Following a major exhibition at the Smithsonian, David Datuna’s signature pieces return to New York for a curated solo show in the city in many years. Known for his signature use of optical lenses, Datuna challenges the way we see — and what we believe we are seeing — by layering perception, myth, and reality.

American Illusion explores the lenses through which America is viewed, both within and beyond its borders. Through portraits of celebrities, the national flag, and the stark presence of syringes, the exhibition examines the illusions presented to us by culture and ideology: the glamour of fame, the sanctity of nationhood, the fears projected onto threats — real or imagined — that test democracy, the country, or its symbols.

The exhibition asks: Which narratives are created, and by whom? Are they meant to unite or to divide, to disperse or to gather? At a moment when truth itself often feels refracted and unstable, American Illusion leaves us with a haunting question: Do we see America as it is, or only as we are told to see it?

Bio: David Datuna (1974–2022)

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, David Datuna later settled in New York, where he developed his practice as a self-taught artist. His work explored cultural, political, and social identity, with optical lenses serving as his signature medium. These lenses fractured and layered imagery, symbolizing both individual perception and collective vision. Datuna’s mixed-media works incorporated photographs, paint, text, and clippings from popular media, often arranged over ’ags, portraits, and iconic symbols. In dialogue with Pop Art, he drew on familiar imagery not to glorify it, but to probe how societies construct and consume their own icons. His career included solo exhibitions at major institutions such as the Smithsonian, collaborations with organizations including Google Glass and the Lincoln Center, and international projects like Viewpoint of Billions, which invited audiences to experience art through wearable technology. In December 2019, Datuna captured global attention at Art Basel Miami by eating Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork Comedian, a banana duct-taped to the wall that had sold for $120,000. He titled his act Hungry Artist, framing it as a performance and commentary on value, consumption, and the absurdity of the art market. This provocative gesture became one of the most talked-about moments in recent art history, cementing his reputation as a socially engaged artist unafraid of challenging institutions. Beyond his art, Datuna established philanthropic initiatives following his own battle with cancer, founding The Fund for Life and the Life Award to support medical research and lifesaving work. David Datuna passed away in 2022 at the age of 48.

Location: 555 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States

Time: 6:00 pm EDT

Free!

Registration