Arts, Etc.Fine Art

Fairman’s ‘Wünderglob’ of ordinary objects

The creator of "Wunderglob," Curtis Fairman (right), spoke in the Harris Gallery last week. Fairman's pieces are made from everyday objects. When he brings an object into the gallery, he wants to show it in its purest form. "Just because it looks like a spoon, doesn't mean you have to use it like a spoon," Fairman said. His work will be on display until Nov. 26. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
The creator of “Wunderglob,” Curtis Fairman (right), spoke in the Harris Gallery last week. Fairman’s pieces are made from everyday objects. When he brings an object into the gallery, he wants to show it in its purest form. “Just because it looks like a spoon, doesn’t mean you have to use it like a spoon,” Fairman said. His work will be on display until Nov. 26. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

by Max Zänker
Staff Writer

A cup is a cup is a cup. Not for Curtis Fairman.

The artist makes art out of everyday objects like cups, brushes and shower knobs and is showing his work, “Wünderglob,” at the University of La Verne Harris Art Gallery until Nov. 26.

“When I see all those objects, I am looking for visual cues and want to bring them to attention,” Fairman said.

The artist does not retouch the objects; he puts them together in their pure form.

The results are colorful and futuristic pieces of art, which raise the viewers’ attention, surprise and sometimes confusion..

The exhibition’s name “Wünderglob” comes from a science-fiction story by Rudi Rucker.

“‘Wünderglob’ is a wonderful piece of plastic in the story,” said Fairman.

Dion Johnson, manager of Harris Art Gallery and painter, invited Fairman for an exhibition at ULV.

Johnson and Fairman met each other at a conjoined exhibition.

“I knew his art long before I knew him and I was a big fan of his work,” Johnson said. “It is a great opportunity for us to get him for an exhibition and we are glad to have him here.”

ULV freshmen Ruth Snyder set up the exhibition together with Fairman.

“To be honest, I did not really like his work till it was set up on the wall,” said the art major. “But now, I like the way that he disguises everyday objects for a purpose and sets them up as art. Looking at the objects, you can see this purpose and his personality, the way he thinks about culture, mass production and consumerism.”

The artist denies any implied deeper meaning in his work.

“If you are trying too hard to understand it, you won’t,” Fairman said.

“I think a 5-year old has the best chance to understand it, because it’s just what it is ­ some cups and shower knobs. I don’t think about consumerism or mass production when I make art. My art should be universal, understood by everybody.”

He described the process a piece of work goes through as, “very playful.”

“There is no math and planning involved. It is just me taking objects, throwing them on my atelier’s floor, putting them together, taking it apart, editing and having fun.”

Fairman has been working with plastic since 1999. Before, he was working with office supplies, rubber bands and coat hangers.

“Basically anything I could buy a lot of. If I could buy 100 of it for $10, I would (make) art (out) of it,” he said.

The first piece of art, Fairman made was a painting.

“It was based on the song ‘Helter Skelter’ from the Beatles, as I could not afford the poster,” Fairman said. “From then on, I started creating things that I could not afford. If I saw a great car I wanted, I just created a piece of art in that style.”

In his speech to the audience last Thursday, he encouraged the viewers to get artistic.

“The best compliment I ever received was: ‘You make things look so simple,'” he said.

Fairman chose to work with sculptures because he “just can’t paint,” he said.

“And if I would paint, I would just make my objects flat.”

He is also convinced of the upcoming dominance of sculptures in the art scene.

“Ceramics are dead, paintings are dead, photography is dead ­ sculptures rule,” Fairman said.

Another reason for his obsession for ordinary objects lies in his roots in engineering.

“Functionality seems arbitrary to me,” Fairman said. “You can use all everyday objects over their functionality. Sometimes a cup is more than just a cup.”

Max Zänker
Other Stories Bio
Reina Santa Cruz
Other Stories Bio
Previous article
Victorville satellite opens
Next article
West Regionals come to Supertents

Latest Stories

Related articles

Arts, Etc.

Senior artists debut exhibition

"What We Carried,” an art exhibition by senior art majors opened with a reception Tuesday in the Harris Gallery.
Arts, Etc.

Happenings

Campus and community arts events for the week of Nov. 21, 2025.
Arts, Etc.

Happenings

Campus and community arts events for the week of Nov. 14, 2025.
Arts, Etc.

Happenings

Campus and community arts events for the week of Nov. 7, 2025.