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Title: How a Dutch Artist Transforms Packing Tape into Cinematic Scenes

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Written by: Anna Furman

Date: 05.05.2015 4:11PM

Location: Munich, Germany

Dutch artist Max Zorn got his start plastering street lamps in Amsterdam with brown packing tape. He found that with the flipping on of a lamp light, his scenes made from tape came to life. Now he works with acrylic glass plates, using a scalpel to carve out intricately detailed forms on each plate’s taped surface. He gravitates toward cinematic scenes with enigmatic characters: a swankily dressed woman exits a building marked “Sugar Club,” two well-muscled boxers swing at one another, a cluster of toothy burlesque dancers bop their feathered selves about on a stage. Recently, the Munich gallery MUCA displayed his glass plate works in the exhibition “Tales of another time.”

Zorn oscillates between additive and reductive processes, suffusing many of his works with a layered, luminous quality (which is amplified by a light placed behind each of the works during their display). In China Town Red (2015), for instance, a James Dean-like character appears at the forefront of a Chinatown scene. The filmy, sepia-toned yellows of his shirt and off-kilter hat are punctuated by a set of hanging lanterns, glowing red in the evening light. The enigmatic quality of the light is striking and uplifts the scene as a whole.

Other pieces—like Beach Day (2014), India (2014), and Coming Home (2013)—read like vacation postcards, while still infused with the same glowy atmosphere. What is represented in each work—the Taj Mahal, a beach house, a solitary man on a boat—hardly makes for original imagery, but perhaps originality is not the point. With each cut in the tape, Zorn finds a new interpretation of a familiar scene—whether it recalls a travel postcard, a work of film noir, or another cultural derivation entirely.

With its innovative use of common materials and richly colored, hazy aesthetic, Zorn’s work recalls that of Vik Muniz, particularly his series “Pictures of Chocolate” from the late 1990s. While Muniz is direct in citing where his images originated (many sources are referenced in the works’ titles), Zorn combines divergent visual references into the same composite scene, giving them his own original names.

The value of Zorn’s work is inherent in his process; there is an incredible amount of skill involved in elevating a common material like packing tape to a level of creative value, and Zorn proves to be quite successful at this.

Written by: Anna Furman

Exhibition Details: “Tales of Another Time – Tape Art by Max Zorn” is on view at MUCA, Munich, Mar. 6 – Apr. 18, 2015.

The post Artsy article about Max Zorn’s tape art in Muenchen appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

This series came from chasing those fleeting glimpses of Americana—hooked on certain scenes that linger in your mind. It’s the glow of a neon sign above an all-night café, the silhouette of a woman in pearls lost in thought. There’s that couple on a wet New York street, huddled close, their world shrinking to just the two of them amid the noise and lights. I kept chasing those moments that feel like they belong to a half-forgotten film—something caught between nostalgia and reality, a glimpse through a fogged-up window. Just enough light and shadow to make you wonder what happens next.

Interested in buying an artwork? Here is how it works:

Interested in buying an artwork? Here is how it works:

1. Send an email to buy@maxzorn.com with a short sales inquiry. Please include the artwork you are interested in, as well as your location. Either I or my manager Audrey Sykes will get back to you once the Special Sale is closed.  Please be patient, we usually get hundreds of emails and it will take a while to sort them. 
2. Increase your chances: First come first serve. The faster you write us the higher your chances are to own an artwork. This special opens on Sunday, December 1^st  for 24 hours if not sold out earlier. 
   • USA: noon (Eastern Standard Time)
   • Europe: 6 pm (Central European Standard time)
3. Acted too fast? Don’t worry. We read all emails and get back to you within a weeks time. Then we will clarify all details, and we seal the deal only when everything looks good on both sides. 
4. Right to withdrawal: Above all I want you to be happy with your artwork. If you don’t like the piece you can simply send it back within 14 days once you received it. All money will be fully refunded.
5. More questions? Check out the FAQs below or write me to buy@maxzorn.com

Title:              Tremble (you can customize a name or message to the marquees, and licence plate of the car)
Price:             12.500 USD   —   11.800 Euros 
Size:               93 x 48 inch   —   160 x 122 cm
Material:    brown and colored packing tape
Series:          6 similar originals  (explained in the FAQ’s below)
Frame:         Framed in 2 x LED-lit light box – ready to hang (FAQ’s below)

Title:              Library of Dreams 
Price:             6.500 USD   —   6.150 Euro
Size:               34 x 48 inch   —   87 x 122 cm
Material:    brown and colored packing tape
Series:          11 similar originals  (explained in the FAQ’s below)
Frame:         Framed in LED-lit light box – ready to hang (FAQ’s below)

Title:              Americana
Price:             6.500 USD   —   6.150 Euro
Size:               32 x 48 inch   —   80 x 122 cm
Material:    brown and colored packing tape
Series:          15 similar originals  (explained in the FAQ’s below)
Frame:         Framed in LED-lit light frame – ready to hang (FAQ’s below)

Title:              Nightcall
Price:             1500 USD   —   1420 Euro
Size:               19 x 12 inch   —   35  x 50 cm
Material:    brown and colored packing tape
Series:          25 similar originals  (explained in the FAQ’s below)
Frame:         Framed in LED-lit light box – ready to hang (FAQ’s below)
Frame option II:     Alternatively framed in original Coca Cola crate – LED lit and ready to hang

Title:              Wings
Price:             500 USD   — 480 Euro
Size:               8 x 7 inch   —   20  x 18 cm
Material:    brown and colored packing tape
Series:          25 similar originals  (explained in the FAQ’s below)
Frame:         Framed in LED-lit light original cigar box  (FAQ’s below)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some artworks reserved before the sale starts?

Newsletter subscribers got a notice ahead of the official opening time and have the right to reserve their favorite artwork. Feel welcome to subscribe yourself here:

What is a special sale?

I’m aware that prices for my artworks have been rising once they become public. My success as an artist wouldn’t be possible though without the ongoing interest and support of a global community that not necessarily has the deep pockets for art as collectors do. Therefore I traditionally offer selected new works or special editions for a short period exclusively on my website and below their usual price range.

These offers are limited to two works per household, work on a first-come-first-serve basis and are only up until the special sale is sold out and/or closed.

What is a series?

Repeating a theme allows me to work faster and therefore offer original artworks more affordably compared to a one-time-only motif.
Each single artwork is of course an original made from scratch, unique and signed. Although I try to have the artworks look alike, each one has its own character and differs slightly from the others. See it like the repeating performance of a Broadway play: although it follows the same script each night has a different dynamic.

Why is there a waiting list?

When an artwork comes in a series it doesn’t mean I have already created all versions of it. With popular editions it takes me some time to follow up on the demand.

Are these works going to last?

Yes, the works are going to last for decades to come. When finished, all works are sealed airtight to prevent humidity and air to dry out the adhesive. We also add an additional UV-resistant acrylic glass that not only protects the artwork from fading due to sunlight, but also encases the layers of tape between the two pieces of acrylic glass. 

What about the light boxes?

Light is what brings tape art to life. Like the effect of stained glass windows, light filters through the many layers of tape, creating a visual image. In order to display the works best indoor we build customized light boxes which support the motifs with warm, low temperature light, individually adjusted to the specific artwork. Due to the long lifetime and low temperature of LED light you may keep the light on permanently. 

Watch the video for some visuals on the framing and installation process:

What if the light goes off one day?

Adapters can die after a few years but the LED light is incredibly durable. The LED lights I use have an average life expectancy of 50.000 hours. In case they fail nonetheless just contact us at info@maxzorn.com and we’ll send you a new adapter for free, or provide you with all instructions to replace the LED-strip. It’s a module system that allows exchanging parts relatively easily.

Is there a battery to charge the lightbox?

All light boxes have to be connected to the electric grid. An adapter/charger (that matches your region) and an extension cord are naturally included in your purchase. Experiments with batteries weren’t fruitful yet, simply because the costs of the frame would increase unreasonably.  Though somewhat annoying there are ways to hide the thin cable that connects lightbox and plug. During exhibitions e.g. we hide cables simply by taping them to the wall and painting the tape over with wall color.

How do I pay for an artwork?

Simply by bank transfer, credit card or Paypal. Payments are only due once we walked through all questions you might have and you give the green light for a purchase. 

Can I pay in installments?

We offer payments in installments, usually starting with a down-payment of 20 percent. The outstanding amount can be split into monthly installments of your choice.

The post Special Sale 2024 appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

1. Send an email to buy@maxzorn.com with a short sales inquiry. Please include the artwork you are interested in, as well as your location. Either I or my manager Audrey Sykes will get back to you once the Special Sale is closed.  Please be patient, we usually get hundreds of emails and it will take a while to sort them. 
2. Increase your chances: First come first serve. The faster you write us the higher your chances are to own an artwork. This special starts on Sunday, December 1st and is open for 24 hours if not sold out earlier.
   • USA: 3 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
   • Europe: 9 pm (Central European Standard time)
3. Acted too fast? Don’t worry. We read all emails and get back to you at the end of the sale. We clarify all details, and we seal the deal only when everything looks good on both sides.
4. Right to withdrawal: Above all I want you to be happy with your artwork. If you don’t like the piece you can simply send it back within 14 days. All money will be fully refunded.
5. More questions? Check out the FAQs below or write me to buy@maxzorn.com

The post Winter Sale 2024 – Exclusive Preview appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

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The post test appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

This is a motif I got inspired by when I was walking around Hong Kongs Wan Chai district.

[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

Name: Hong Kong Red

Size: 70 x 50 cm

Date: 2012

Status: Sold

The post New Tape – Hong Kong Red appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

This is a motif I got inspired by when I was walking around Hong Kongs Wan Chai district.

[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

Name: Hong Kong Red

Size: 70 x 50 cm

Date: 2012

Status: Sold

The post New Tape – Hong Kong Red appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

This is a motif I got inspired by when I was walking around Hong Kongs Wan Chai district.

[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

Name: Hong Kong Red

Size: 70 x 50 cm

Date: 2012

Status: Sold

The post New Tape – Hong Kong Red appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

This is a motif I got inspired by when I was walking around Hong Kongs Wan Chai district.

[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

Name: Hong Kong Red

Size: 70 x 50 cm

Date: 2012

Status: Sold

The post New Tape – Hong Kong Red appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

I’ll admit that I was nervous walking to the Hong Kong Art Fair (HKART). It was a ten-minute walk through the Wan Chai District, passing by corner stores, small restaurants and rich car dealerships. Then I reached the imposing building stretching out into Hong Kong´s glistening neon harbor.

HKART was even more impressive: a five-day exhibition with 80,000 visitors and about 250 selected galleries… these were quite some numbers. Especially for someone who likes to sneak around at night and hang up his tape art with a small group of friends.

It’s strange to attend such an event as something like an attraction, to get a pass and be personally guided through a giant building. When I entered the art hall it smelled like fresh wood, oil paints and plastic wrap. I bumped into people I only read about in fine art magazines, and everywhere I heard the sound of power drills, hammers, workers yelling and gallery owners preparing for the big show.

These impressive environment also came with the bitter smack of commerce: Art behind walls, protected by guards, tamed, framed and made pretty. And there would be moments in the following days when I felt like a domesticated animal, too, degraded to an attraction in a zoo… an artist brought in from the streets to be watched and to be touched.

But looking back I like to think that we all could change some children´s life for the better with the money raised. And I hope there were kids at the art fair who could experience that art is something you can get close to, touch, smell and check out for yourself… and not only as kids dragged around and forced to stare at enclosed paintings.

Sovereign Art Foundation had come up with the idea to lay out a couple of hundred pens in their booth for any child wanting to sketch on the floor, the walls, and – occasionally – also my pants. What followed was a five day let´s-paint-the-shit-out-of-whatever-is-in-reach marathon, and within hours the entire stand looked like battle grounds for a graffiti war.
[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

It was fantastic to be in the middle of this, to work on my light box while kids painted around me. Many of them also helped me peel and stick pieces of tape, unafraid of making mistakes or bad style or not following instructions. And thus, amidst the chic art world around then, they brought a good piece of welcomed anarchy.

The post Let´s paint the shit out of it – Hong Kong trip Part II appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.

I’ll admit that I was nervous walking to the Hong Kong Art Fair (HKART). It was a ten-minute walk through the Wan Chai District, passing by corner stores, small restaurants and rich car dealerships. Then I reached the imposing building stretching out into Hong Kong´s glistening neon harbor.

HKART was even more impressive: a five-day exhibition with 80,000 visitors and about 250 selected galleries… these were quite some numbers. Especially for someone who likes to sneak around at night and hang up his tape art with a small group of friends.

It’s strange to attend such an event as something like an attraction, to get a pass and be personally guided through a giant building. When I entered the art hall it smelled like fresh wood, oil paints and plastic wrap. I bumped into people I only read about in fine art magazines, and everywhere I heard the sound of power drills, hammers, workers yelling and gallery owners preparing for the big show.

These impressive environment also came with the bitter smack of commerce: Art behind walls, protected by guards, tamed, framed and made pretty. And there would be moments in the following days when I felt like a domesticated animal, too, degraded to an attraction in a zoo… an artist brought in from the streets to be watched and to be touched.

But looking back I like to think that we all could change some children´s life for the better with the money raised. And I hope there were kids at the art fair who could experience that art is something you can get close to, touch, smell and check out for yourself… and not only as kids dragged around and forced to stare at enclosed paintings.

Sovereign Art Foundation had come up with the idea to lay out a couple of hundred pens in their booth for any child wanting to sketch on the floor, the walls, and – occasionally – also my pants. What followed was a five day let´s-paint-the-shit-out-of-whatever-is-in-reach marathon, and within hours the entire stand looked like battle grounds for a graffiti war.
[See image gallery at www.maxzorn.com]

It was fantastic to be in the middle of this, to work on my light box while kids painted around me. Many of them also helped me peel and stick pieces of tape, unafraid of making mistakes or bad style or not following instructions. And thus, amidst the chic art world around then, they brought a good piece of welcomed anarchy.

The post Let´s paint the shit out of it – Hong Kong trip Part II appeared first on Tape Art by Max Zorn a street artist from Amsterdam, creating art with tape to beautify street lamps.