MDH

Michael Dayton Hermann (born 1975) is a New York City based multidisciplinary artist, arts professional, curator, and author recognized for his innovative approach and impactful contributions to contemporary art. His work bridges art, business, and philanthropy, underscoring the essential role of visual art in society.

Education

Hermann attended Franklin High School in Somerset, New Jersey. He received his BFA at Parsons School of Design, where he graduated with academic and departmental honors. He earned an MFA degree at Hunter College, where he studied with Robert Morris and completed his thesis under the advisement of Nari Ward.

Artist

As a multidisciplinary artist, Hermann is recognized for his innovative approach to digital imagery and a creative practice that challenges perceptions of the familiar to explore the subconscious. His work often delves into themes of media saturation and identity.

Hermann’s artistic achievements include various projects and exhibitions such as REconstituted which has been described as presenting, “a riveting exploration of our ‘post-truth’ society, where the lines between the real and the fabricated not only blur but dance in an intricate ballet of contradictions,” Mixtape, which explores media consumption through, “a regression to a purely sensorial form, a sort of atavistic conjuring of lost channel surfing, an imagistic id,” Flowers, which examines how historic, traditional and banal subjects can be instilled with new sentiment, and Stations which reinterprets historic, cultural, and religious symbolism. In 2023, Hermann exhibited his work in Brussels, Belgium at The Stateroom Gallery which included hand-painted and limited edition skateboards sold to benefit The Harold Hunter Foundation.

Author

Hermann is the author of two acclaimed books, Warhol on Basquiat and Andy Warhol: Love, Sex, and Desire both published by TASCHEN. Warhol on Basquiat reveals the dynamic and complex friendship and collaboration between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring over 400 previously unseen photos. Andy Warhol: Love, Sex, and Desire explores Warhol’s intimate drawings and personal life with a book featuring over 300 drawings described as revealing the pleasure of youth, beauty, and, “unbridled sexuality, one made all the more alluring by its defiance against societal norms.”

Andy Warhol Foundation

Hermann has worked at The Andy Warhol Foundation for over twenty years where he is currently Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives. During his tenure, Hermann has conceived and led notable initiatives, including Andy Warhol: Machine Made, the first-ever online auction of unique Warhol NFTs presented by Christie’s raising over $3.3M and Philanthropy Factory, an initiative that provides an opportunity for non-profit arts organizations to benefit from the sale of Warhol works from the Foundation’s collection. On behalf of the Foundation, he has led notable projects including The Andy Warhol Diaries docuseries on Netflix and collaborated with global brands including Comme des Garçons, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Absolut, Bulgari, Perrier, Uniqlo, Calvin Klein, Burger King, and Coca-Cola. Hermann also conceived and curated a number of exhibitions and auctions including Social Disease, Better Days, The Andy Warhol Diaries, and Social Network in addition to an ongoing sales initiative he developed with eBay for Charity which sold over 750 works and generated more than $3M.

These endeavors have collectively generated over $100 million to support the Foundation’s philanthropic mission which has distributed nearly $300 million in cash grants since 1987 to advance the visual arts. Hermann has also spearheaded legacy building initiatives including the gratis sharing of over 35,000 high resolution images of Warhol’s works with JSTOR, a leading digital library of journals, books and other primary source material. He conceived the books Andy Warhol Polaroids 1958-1987 and Andy Warhol: Seven Illustrated Books 1952-1959 both published by TASCHEN. When speaking of his role at the Foundation, Hermann said, “just as artists challenge our imaginations of what is possible, the field of philanthropy should constantly consider fresh and innovative ways of engagement.”

Leadership in Contemporary Art

Hermann is on the Board of Directors at the Children’s Museum of the Arts and Baxter Street at CCNY. He has contributed his insight to a number of outlets including Gagosian Quarterly, DACS, and as the subject of Creating Home podcast. He has liberal views in support of freedom of expression stating, “the normalization of intolerance and resulting pressure to conform in much of our society today often results in the silencing of voices and stifling of creativity…The true power of visual art is unleashed only when artists have no doubt in their right to create work that is challenging, complex, thought-provoking, and even controversial at times.” He has been featured on CBS News television (CBS), NPR “All Things Considered,” Previously Unknown Podcast, and quoted in various news outlets including The Guardian, Interview Magazine, Harpers Bazaar, Vanity Fair, ArtNet, The Art Newspaper, ArtNews, Hypebeast, Architectural Digest, Daily Mail, and New York Observer. He regularly speaks on panels and participates in public programming.

References

This article "MDH" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:MDH. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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