Artist Tim De Vries exposes secrets with transparent epoxy resin. By hiding the items in plain sight, he questions the secretiveness of it all.
Tim De Vries was born in a village in the Netherlands, but the limits of his provincial upbringing, combined with his childhood love of Hollywood movies like Wolf of Wall Street, Back to the Future, and Beverly Hills Cop, led to a desire for a different kind of life. He even dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, like his hero, Indiana Jones. As he grew older, he realized it was not so much archaeology, but the glamorous and exciting lifestyle of a treasure hunter that intrigued him.
The Netherlands are known to most art enthusiasts for portrayals of idyllic landscapes, and painters like Rembrandt who reveled in the depths of light and shadow. These images were rooted in the society of the time. Like these artists, De Vries’ imagery is drawn from the society he lives in, but the world he inhabits is a radically different one from the painters of centuries ago, and his creations reflect this fact.
De Vries’ path as an artist has not been a traditional one. He studied business in Amsterdam, and went on to work in real estate in Ibiza. In Ibiza, he was able to experience the nightlife he had dreamed of as a young man, which inspires his work to this day. Through these experiences, he learned to question both his rural childhood and the big city party lifestyle he has adopted.
Important influences on De Vries’ work include Andy Warhol and Roy Liechtenstein, along with figures like Arman and James Rosenquist. In his early career, artists like these inspired him to make his own sunglasses into a piece of art, which set him on the path he continues on today. He started off with a collection of design objects, and from there learned various sculptural techniques allowing him to manufacture these objects himself.
De Vries aims to shock and surprise, and isn’t shy about it. He uses his art to question why some things are hidden and others are left out in the open, and through this line of questioning, he reveals unspoken social norms. The phrase “hidden in plain sight” has become a touchstone for his creative work. The contradictions in his work reflect the contradictions of the world he observes.
Many of De Vries’ pieces make use of epoxy resin, a clear substance in which he embeds everyday items. These items, clearly visible but impossible to touch, embody his philosophy. What he demonstrates with these objects is that much of what we know about how the world works happens behind closed doors. Although the rules are unspoken, the unspoken is not unknown, and this is the dilemma his work brings to light.
The Hangover Table, a clear table embedded with items referencing his own life, epitomizes De Vries’ aesthetic. Here we see what happens behind the scenes- but isn’t commented on in polite company. The objects collected here reference sex, drugs, and money, mimicking the remnants of a wild night out. A casual viewer might at first mistake it for a real scene, rather than a piece of art, reflecting how De Vries invites the everyday into his art.
Pieces like Cold Cash (2018), and Gold Rush (2018), give the viewer a window into the illicit. Both take the form of transparent briefcases, showing contents of dollar bills and gold bars. Others, like Light Saber (2019), of course a Star Wars reference, are drawn from pop culture.
Much of his work also draws from his memory of growing up in the 1980s. A 2019 piece titled Gordon Gekko Brick Phone is one such example, drawing on a retro aesthetic and Hollywood nostalgia. The bronze reproduction of the now outdated brick phone showcases his sense of humor. It is the immediately recognizable trademark of an era.
He continues to take his inspiration from the world around him, drawing from current events, pop culture, alongside his own experiences and views of modern society, as pointed criticism comes together with nostalgia.
De Vries objects to the unwritten rules of society. Questioning and exposing modern life is a crucial part of his conception of the role of the modern artist.
De Vries also has a message for his fellow artists: the myth of the “starving artist” is just that, a myth. We are all familiar with the stereotype of the artist who suffers for their art- many know the story, for example, of Van Gogh, who died without selling a single painting. Stories like these lead many to believe that the artist must be a lonely, penniless, misunderstood genius, but as De Vries himself will tell you, this doesn’t have to be the case.
De Vries aims to inspire other artists to look beyond the idea that you have to live in poverty to make art. Outside the studio, he enjoys skiing in the Alps, and splits his time between Amsterdam and Ibiza. The sale of his art contributes to his ability to spend time living a life many only dream of.
Filtered through his own experiences and memories, De Vries aims to create work that is exciting and accessible, without sacrificing his conviction that art can expose society’s hypocrisy. In his world, everyday objects tell funny, flashy, and intriguing stories about the society we live in.
To learn more about Tim he can be reached by Instagram @studiotimdevries
Author: Ian Monroe
Unused plastics can be used to organize many things around the house or even in the office. Here are some ideas to upcycle used plastics for a more organized life:
When it comes to gardens, the ideas of upcycling your unused plastics are tremendous. Here are a few ideas:
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A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home. It’s not only quick but inexpensive too. A can of paint will only cost you about $25. Properly done, it will help brighten your rooms as well as give a new design perspective to your artwork, accessories, furniture, and other elements in the space.
Outdated lights are not only dim, but they are also inefficient. LED lights, on the other hand, are quite efficient. Their efficiency can go as much as 80% as compared to traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights.
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PULSE Art Fair, one of the first satellite fairs to join Art Basel Miami, celebrated its 15
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The Casspir Project is a multidisciplinary fine art exhibition that encompasses a variety of media including installation, photography, oral history, and documentary film in response to Apartheid’s effects on South Africa’s culture and community.
PULSE Art Fair is my antidote to fair fatigue during the art-saturated week of shows and fairs because of its original programming, cutting-edge installations and sensory-rich experiences. I highly recommend this annual art fair during Miami Art Week.
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Since it’s not just you anymore, you need to be cautious about your budget. Investing can be very lucrative but you need to determine the source from which you will acquire the money and just how much you plan to invest. This is essential because you don’t want to find yourself in an unpredicted situation and in need of additional funds which you don’t have.
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For those who are musically inclined, a music studio may be the way to go. You can soundproof the room, so you don’t disturb neighbors or the rest of the house, and then fill it with all the equipment you need to have your friends round for a jam session. It might even be the space where you end up recording your first single!
Hotel Hacienda de Abajo boasts a superb location on the west side of the La Palma Canary Island, in the historic center of Villa y Puerto de Tazacorte. This Spanish municipality is lucky to get the most hours of sunshine a year.
Offering 32 beautifully decorated rooms and suites today, Hacienda de Abajo will also surprise the guests with its original history. This used to be a XVII century sugar estate, recognized by the Canaries’ Government as an integral part of the Historic Heritage of the Canary Islands. Thanks to this fact, Hotel Hacienda de Abajo received a rare status of an “Emblematic Hotel”.
The first thing that meets the traveler’s eye is the unique location: a beautiful coast and turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, magnificent gardens with lush vegetation, and unbelievable starry skies that persuade people to tell them their most intimate desires. In this magical place, it feels like the ocean connects with the sky and the “sea” of banana plants to form a haven of perfect harmony and tranquility.
The resort consists of four buildings, spread about an exotic garden of the former farm. The new buildings have been harmonized with the original design of the sugar farm, which was carefully restored in 2010-2012 by the architect María del Carmen. It is notable that the dominance of sugarcane was replaced, at the end of the 19th century, by that of banana plants. 
The guests of Hotel Hacienda de Abajo are surrounded by some of the world’s most incredible art objects: tapestries with French and Flemish pieces from the 16th-18th centuries; Chinese sculptures, furniture and porcelain from the Tang to the Qing dynasties; European furniture from the 17th-19th centuries; delicate religious carvings from the 16th-19th centuries, a valuable art gallery with works from the 15th-20th centuries, and more. This is yet another reason why the esteemed experts of Luxury Lifestyle Awards believe Hacienda de Abajo is a unique and outstanding resort, worthy of special recognition.
The guests of Hotel Hacienda de Abajo will not only enjoy a calm and relaxing vacation, thanks to the resort’s “adults only” concept, but will also be amazed by all the luxury that surrounds them, both natural and created by man. 
From the lavish rooms to an atmospheric outdoor pool with trust-based snacks (guests log in their purchases themselves); from a completely mesmerizing Bath House (Spa) to an opportunity to celebrate a special event in “La Capilla”, an unconsecrated chapel, equipped with audiovisual resources, — the professional team of Hotel Hacienda de Abajo has about every trick up their sleeve.
A perfect vacation should definitely be complemented by perfect food. For this purpose, the exquisite El Sitio restaurant offers gourmet dining at the world-class level. The guests have a chance to learn about the cuisine of the Canary Islands from the best, while enjoying the incomparable views of the Atlantic Ocean. A vacation at Hotel Hacienda de Abajo is definitely an experience, in which nothing is missing.
About Luxury Lifestyle Awards
When you are planning a remodel, there will be some aspects of the job that are largely or entirely cosmetic, while others are structural. Naturally, these categories play a major part in prioritizing aspects of the work, and while the cosmetic aspects can be fluid, the structural ones cannot. Before embarking on the job, for example, it will be essential to consult with the likes of 
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“The SAF, whose mission is to educate about, advocate for and celebrate Sarasota’s mid-century modern heritage, undertook this project as an educational initiative,” SAF Chairman Dr. Christopher Wilson, Ph.D., said. “Recognizing that a majority of Sarasota School structures are private residences not normally accessible to the public, the SAF wanted to expose the forward-thinking principles of the ‘Sarasota School’ to a wider audience by constructing and exhibiting this replica.”
The Walker Guest house was Rudolph’s first design executed independently, and is considered among his most significant projects. Rudolph built numerous other influential residential buildings in the Sarasota, Florida region, including his so-called Umbrella House (1953) and Cocoon House (1950), designed with Ralph Twitchell. In 1997, Rudolph donated much of his archive to the Library of Congress, which helped establish the Library’s Center for Architecture, Design, and Engineering. By ensuring that his work was publicly accessible, he acted to see that his work could be preserved even if the original structures were not.”
The gallery’s mission is to help shape the discussion between art and design and to further increase the presence of cutting-edge design within the larger art world. 
Functional Art Gallery works with artists and designers who push the line between aesthetics and purpose, form and function, perception and intent.
The art installation Roots called attention to “alarming changes in nature and our environment” including disappearing forests and wildlife, polluted air and oceans, rising sea levels are rising, and an increase in extreme weather phenomena. Delta Air Lines and the Sacred Space Miami presented Roots by Atelier Marko Brajovic, curated by Ximena Caminos and produced by Alberto Latorre. The idea behind the art is to stimulate cultural and artistic responses to environmental change. 
The Roots pavilion is a self-supporting aluminum branching system wrapped with fine custom-made ropes and was designed by a parametric software mimicking the natural growth of a mangrove rooting system. In the middle of the pavilion, a large deck is used as a collective space for ceremonies and for three traditional Amazonian hammocks from which visitors can experience the immersive documentary SACRED COCA.
Learn more about the artists and art objects featured at Design/Miami in new episodes of The Design Tourist filmed at Miami Art Week.
