Victor Solomon's Literally Balling on If It's Hip, It's Here

Victor Solomon’s series “Literally Balling” capitalizes on the level of cultural dominance achieved by the sport of basketball and its stars. By recreating basketball hoops and backboards with appropriated luxury materials he satirizes the religious devotion to the sport while simultaneously commenting on the fragility of luxury.

Victor Solomon’s Literally Balling

Victor Solomon basketball backboards — How Can I Not, stained glass, wood, 24k gold, Swarovski crystals

The artist’s examination of basketball as class vehicle appropriates the sport’s universally attainable iconography and embellishes their production with antiquated processes (Solomon utilizes his year-long apprenticeship under the last remaining stained-glass master) historically reserved for the elite.

victor saoloman bball hoops — Promise Land I, detail

The sport’s iconic symbol is recreated with rare materials such as hand-crafted stained glass, 24k gold plating and Swarovski Crystals, that represent opulence, wealth and power. The result is a balance of wit, irony and craftsmanship that speak to the religious devotion to sport, the athlete as modern-day king of court, the proletarian drift of basketball from project pick-up games to newfound cultural heights, even a cautionary comment on the fragility of luxury.

Forever Or Never
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 5

Another Bag
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 5

Mono Flow
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 5

Too Much Sauce
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 5

Better Living
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 5

Promise Land I
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 3

Promise Land II
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 3

Promise Land III
2016, Hand-ground, lead soldered glass, acrylic and maple frame, 24K gold plated hoop, Swarovski crystal; 44 x 40 x 18 inch, Edition of 3