Art Dollar 38, 2024

Karl Lagasse   Famous Artists

Born into an family of artists in 1981 in Paris, Karl Lagasse is a French artist and sculptor. From a young age he began experimenting with plastic arts, in particular collages with his mother when he was 7 years old. At that age, he met the French sculptor César Baldaccini(1921 - 1998). The latter pushed him to pursue an artistic path. A few years later, he explored another means of expression by creating numerous pieces of graffiti in the Parisian metro. Under the guidance of the artist Yvaral Vasarely (1934 - 2002), son of Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely (1906 - 1997), Karl Lagasse incorporated his tags into his collages.  

In December 2024, Lagasse participated in Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2024, presenting his "One Dollar" series.  Scheduled for March 2025, Lagasse is set to participate in Art Palm Beach, an event known for featuring contemporary artists. 

Lagasse's work continues to captivate audiences worldwide, with his "One Dollar" series remaining a central theme in his exhibitions and installations.

Karl Lagasse's artistic career began in 1996, when at the age of 15 he sold his first work in Antwerp. In 2003, Karl organised his first exhibition in Paris in which he exhibited works combining painting and collage techniques. His first solo exhibition took place in 2006. During this exhibition, he presented his famous "Buildings" at the Isy Brachot gallery in Brussels. 

2009 was to be the artist's breakthrough year. Indeed, Lagasse gained notoriety thanks to his "One Dollar" sculptures and was ranked among the top ten sculptors in the world under 30 by Artprice. In 2012, the artist was named one of the top fifty contemporary artists who were inspired by American icons. The same year, Lagasse created the sculpture "Building". This bronze sculpture was created for the 65th Cannes Film Festival and represents the history of the festival. 

During 2014, the artist was contacted by Maserati for a collaboration to celebrate the Italian brand's centenary and the worldwide launch of the new Ghibli12. A year later, Karl Lagasse and Maserati once again collaborated together on a monumental installation entitled "A Piece of Heaven on Earth". The work consists of a Maserati covered with white plastic film and a statue of Jesus Christ, whose feet are covered in a number of "One Dollar" sculptures. The latter represents the repayment of humanity's greatest debt.

More recently, at the Art Paris Art Fair in 2016, the President of the Republic François Hollande personally congratulated the artist on the success of his work "One Dollar", a bronze sculpture measuring two metres high displayed in the Grand Palais.

In 2017, Karl Lagasse created the trophy for the winners of the 43rd edition of the Deauville American Film Festival.

Best known for his "One dollar" sculpture, his "Buildings" are inspired by New York skyscrapers. Moreover, they are constructed as points of reflection on his personality and on the world around him. Karl Lagasse's works are inspired by both the American world and his personal need to "build himself, to elevate himself". His works are the result of his admiration for the United States. In addition, his "One Dollar" illustrates for the artist what can be made with only one dollar. These sculptures, Lagasse makes them red, blue, purple or even yellow - but they all keep the metallic finish that is unique to aluminium. "Making art with $1" is therefore quite an art.