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Biography

For nearly 40 years, Christian Marclay (b. 1955, San Rafael, CA) has been exploring the connections between vision and sound, creating works in which these two sensibilities enrich and challenge one another. Marclay garnered international acclaim at the 54th Venice Biennale for his masterpiece video work, The Clock, for which he received the prestigious Golden Lion award. Marclay's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally, including one-person presentations at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C. (1990); the Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva (1995); the Kunsthaus, Zurich (1997); the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (2001); the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2002); Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain, Geneva (2008); the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2010); Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul (2010); Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow (2011); the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (2019); and Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (2022). His work is in the public collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.; the Tate Modern, London; and the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay
The Clock, 2010
single-channel video with stereo sound standard definition footage at 1024 x 576 (16:9 aspect ration), 24 hours, looped
Edition of 6, 2 APs.
Photo: Todd-White Photography

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay
Scream (Wood Tongue), 2019 
color woodcut on Saunders Waterford 190 gsm hot press paper
frame: 88 x 51 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (223.5 x 130.8 x 6.4 cm)

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay and Okkyung Lee Perform Alexander Calder's "Small Sphere and Heavy Sphere" (1932/33), Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 20, 2017.

Christian Marclay Untitled (Janet Jackson and Soul Asylum II), 2008 cyanotype on Aquarelle Arches Natural White Hot Press Watercolor Paper 22 1/2 x 30 in. (57.2 x 76.2 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (Janet Jackson and Soul Asylum II), 2008
cyanotype on Aquarelle Arches Natural White Hot Press Watercolor Paper
22 1/2 x 30 in. (57.2 x 76.2 cm)

Christian Marclay Untitled (from the series "Imaginary Records"), 1989 altered record cover frame: 17 x 17 x 1 1/2 in. (43.2 x 43.2 x 3.8 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (from the series "Imaginary Records"), 1989
altered record cover
frame: 17 x 17 x 1 1/2 in. (43.2 x 43.2 x 3.8 cm)

Christian Marclay New York, 1996 c-print image: 11 x 7 3/8 inches (27.9 x 18.8 cm); sheet: 14 x 10 3/8 inches (35.6 x 26.4 cm) Edition 1 of 5, (Edition of 5, 2 APs)

Christian Marclay
New York, 1996
c-print
image: 11 x 7 3/8 inches (27.9 x 18.8 cm); sheet: 14 x 10 3/8 inches (35.6 x 26.4 cm)
Edition 1 of 5, (Edition of 5, 2 APs)

Christian Marclay
48 War Movies, 2019 (still)
single-channel video installation, color and stereo sound, continuous loop
dimensions variable
Edition of 5, 2 APs

Christian Marclay Extended Phone II, 1994 telephone and plastic tubing dimensions variable
Christian Marclay
Extended Phone II, 1994
telephone and plastic tubing
dimensions variable
Christian Marclay
Extended Phone II, 1994
telephone and plastic tubing
dimensions variable
Christian Marclay
Extended Phone II (detail), 1994
telephone and plastic tubing
dimensions variable
Christian Marclay Extended Phone II, 1994 telephone and plastic tubing dimensions variable

Christian Marclay
Extended Phone II, 1994
telephone and plastic tubing
dimensions variable

Christian Marclay Untitled (from the series Taped Tape), 1994 magnetic tape and adhesive tape on paper image: 28 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (72.4 x 56.5 cm) frame: 31 3/8 x 25 3/8 in. (79.7 x 64.5 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (from the series Taped Tape), 1994
magnetic tape and adhesive tape on paper
image: 28 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (72.4 x 56.5 cm)
frame: 31 3/8 x 25 3/8 in. (79.7 x 64.5 cm)

Christian Marclay Look, 2019 Giclée print image: 13 5/16 x 17 11/16 in. (33.8 x 45 cm) frame: 15 3/4 x 20 3/16 x 1 1/2 in. (40 x 51.2 x 3.8 cm) Edition 4 of 5, + 2 APs

Christian Marclay
Look, 2019
Giclée print
image: 13 5/16 x 17 11/16 in. (33.8 x 45 cm)
frame: 15 3/4 x 20 3/16 x 1 1/2 in. (40 x 51.2 x 3.8 cm)
Edition 4 of 5, + 2 APs

Christian Marclay Graffiti Composition, 2002 portfolio of 150 images, Indigo prints on Cougar stock 14 x 9 1/2 x 3 inches (35.56 x 24.13 x 7.62 cm) Edition 2 of 25 published by Paula Cooper Gallery signed by the artist

Christian Marclay
Graffiti Composition, 2002
portfolio of 150 images, Indigo prints on Cougar stock
14 x 9 1/2 x 3 inches (35.56 x 24.13 x 7.62 cm)
Edition 2 of 25
published by Paula Cooper Gallery
signed by the artist

Christian Marclay Untitled, 2004 photogram on c-print paper, mounted on cintra board 19 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (50.2 x 60.3 cm) frame: 21 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (54.6 x 64.8 x 4.1 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled, 2004
photogram on c-print paper, mounted on cintra board
19 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (50.2 x 60.3 cm)
frame: 21 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (54.6 x 64.8 x 4.1 cm)

Christian Marclay Manga Scroll, 2010 Hiromi Paper Gampi white, scroll cover Asahi Black raw silk book cloth, wood Paper: 16 x 787 1/2 in. (40.6 x 2000.3 cm) Scroll: 19 x 3 x 3 in. (48.3 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm) Edition 1 of 5, 1 AP, 1 USF proof

Christian Marclay
Manga Scroll, 2010
Hiromi Paper Gampi white, scroll cover Asahi Black raw silk book cloth, wood
Paper: 16 x 787 1/2 in. (40.6 x 2000.3 cm)
Scroll: 19 x 3 x 3 in. (48.3 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm)
Edition 1 of 5, 1 AP, 1 USF proof

Christian Marclay Tape Fall, 1989 Reel-to-reel player, audio tape, ladder dimensions variable

Christian Marclay
Tape Fall, 1989
Reel-to-reel player, audio tape, ladder
dimensions variable

Christian Marclay Bottle Caps, 2016 single-channel animation, silent, duration: 3:52 minutes, looped; media player, SD card and archival master on thumb drive, with signed certificate of authenticity in custom box dimensions variable Edition 3 of 6, 2 APs

Christian Marclay
Bottle Caps, 2016
single-channel animation, silent, duration: 3:52 minutes, looped; media player, SD card and archival master on thumb drive, with signed certificate of authenticity in custom box
dimensions variable
Edition 3 of 6, 2 APs

Christian Marclay Thwoomp Ba-wamm, 1990 acrylic on paper frame: 12 x 8 5/8 x 1 in. (30.5 x 21.9 x 2.5 cm)

Christian Marclay
Thwoomp Ba-wamm, 1990
acrylic on paper
frame: 12 x 8 5/8 x 1 in. (30.5 x 21.9 x 2.5 cm)

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay
The Clock, 2010
single-channel video with stereo sound standard definition footage at 1024 x 576 (16:9 aspect ration), 24 hours, looped
Edition of 6, 2 APs.
Photo: Todd-White Photography

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay
Scream (Wood Tongue), 2019 
color woodcut on Saunders Waterford 190 gsm hot press paper
frame: 88 x 51 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (223.5 x 130.8 x 6.4 cm)

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay and Okkyung Lee Perform Alexander Calder's "Small Sphere and Heavy Sphere" (1932/33), Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, July 20, 2017.

Christian Marclay Untitled (Janet Jackson and Soul Asylum II), 2008 cyanotype on Aquarelle Arches Natural White Hot Press Watercolor Paper 22 1/2 x 30 in. (57.2 x 76.2 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (Janet Jackson and Soul Asylum II), 2008
cyanotype on Aquarelle Arches Natural White Hot Press Watercolor Paper
22 1/2 x 30 in. (57.2 x 76.2 cm)

Christian Marclay Untitled (from the series "Imaginary Records"), 1989 altered record cover frame: 17 x 17 x 1 1/2 in. (43.2 x 43.2 x 3.8 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (from the series "Imaginary Records"), 1989
altered record cover
frame: 17 x 17 x 1 1/2 in. (43.2 x 43.2 x 3.8 cm)

Christian Marclay New York, 1996 c-print image: 11 x 7 3/8 inches (27.9 x 18.8 cm); sheet: 14 x 10 3/8 inches (35.6 x 26.4 cm) Edition 1 of 5, (Edition of 5, 2 APs)

Christian Marclay
New York, 1996
c-print
image: 11 x 7 3/8 inches (27.9 x 18.8 cm); sheet: 14 x 10 3/8 inches (35.6 x 26.4 cm)
Edition 1 of 5, (Edition of 5, 2 APs)

"Untitled", 1999  Colored ink on frosted mylar  11-1/2 x 34-1/8 inches

Christian Marclay
48 War Movies, 2019 (still)
single-channel video installation, color and stereo sound, continuous loop
dimensions variable
Edition of 5, 2 APs

Christian Marclay Extended Phone II, 1994 telephone and plastic tubing dimensions variable

Christian Marclay
Extended Phone II, 1994
telephone and plastic tubing
dimensions variable

Christian Marclay Untitled (from the series Taped Tape), 1994 magnetic tape and adhesive tape on paper image: 28 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (72.4 x 56.5 cm) frame: 31 3/8 x 25 3/8 in. (79.7 x 64.5 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled (from the series Taped Tape), 1994
magnetic tape and adhesive tape on paper
image: 28 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (72.4 x 56.5 cm)
frame: 31 3/8 x 25 3/8 in. (79.7 x 64.5 cm)

Christian Marclay Look, 2019 Giclée print image: 13 5/16 x 17 11/16 in. (33.8 x 45 cm) frame: 15 3/4 x 20 3/16 x 1 1/2 in. (40 x 51.2 x 3.8 cm) Edition 4 of 5, + 2 APs

Christian Marclay
Look, 2019
Giclée print
image: 13 5/16 x 17 11/16 in. (33.8 x 45 cm)
frame: 15 3/4 x 20 3/16 x 1 1/2 in. (40 x 51.2 x 3.8 cm)
Edition 4 of 5, + 2 APs

Christian Marclay Graffiti Composition, 2002 portfolio of 150 images, Indigo prints on Cougar stock 14 x 9 1/2 x 3 inches (35.56 x 24.13 x 7.62 cm) Edition 2 of 25 published by Paula Cooper Gallery signed by the artist

Christian Marclay
Graffiti Composition, 2002
portfolio of 150 images, Indigo prints on Cougar stock
14 x 9 1/2 x 3 inches (35.56 x 24.13 x 7.62 cm)
Edition 2 of 25
published by Paula Cooper Gallery
signed by the artist

Christian Marclay Untitled, 2004 photogram on c-print paper, mounted on cintra board 19 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (50.2 x 60.3 cm) frame: 21 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (54.6 x 64.8 x 4.1 cm)

Christian Marclay
Untitled, 2004
photogram on c-print paper, mounted on cintra board
19 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (50.2 x 60.3 cm)
frame: 21 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (54.6 x 64.8 x 4.1 cm)

Christian Marclay Manga Scroll, 2010 Hiromi Paper Gampi white, scroll cover Asahi Black raw silk book cloth, wood Paper: 16 x 787 1/2 in. (40.6 x 2000.3 cm) Scroll: 19 x 3 x 3 in. (48.3 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm) Edition 1 of 5, 1 AP, 1 USF proof

Christian Marclay
Manga Scroll, 2010
Hiromi Paper Gampi white, scroll cover Asahi Black raw silk book cloth, wood
Paper: 16 x 787 1/2 in. (40.6 x 2000.3 cm)
Scroll: 19 x 3 x 3 in. (48.3 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm)
Edition 1 of 5, 1 AP, 1 USF proof

Christian Marclay Tape Fall, 1989 Reel-to-reel player, audio tape, ladder dimensions variable

Christian Marclay
Tape Fall, 1989
Reel-to-reel player, audio tape, ladder
dimensions variable

Christian Marclay Bottle Caps, 2016 single-channel animation, silent, duration: 3:52 minutes, looped; media player, SD card and archival master on thumb drive, with signed certificate of authenticity in custom box dimensions variable Edition 3 of 6, 2 APs

Christian Marclay
Bottle Caps, 2016
single-channel animation, silent, duration: 3:52 minutes, looped; media player, SD card and archival master on thumb drive, with signed certificate of authenticity in custom box
dimensions variable
Edition 3 of 6, 2 APs

Christian Marclay Thwoomp Ba-wamm, 1990 acrylic on paper frame: 12 x 8 5/8 x 1 in. (30.5 x 21.9 x 2.5 cm)

Christian Marclay
Thwoomp Ba-wamm, 1990
acrylic on paper
frame: 12 x 8 5/8 x 1 in. (30.5 x 21.9 x 2.5 cm)

Video

Christian Marclay on France 24's Encore!, February 6, 2023

Christian Marclay in "London," Art in the Twenty-First Century, Season 10, September 18, 2020