Amazing Duct Tape Art by Max Zorn

When I published the jaw-dropping tape art of Mark Khaisman, nearly two years ago, I assumed he was the only artist in the world who practiced this peculiar style of art. So I was really excited when I discovered Max Zorn.

Using layers of translucent duct tapes – those used for packaging - on Plexiglas panels, Max Zorn creates stunning portraits of romantic and strong characters: masculine boxers, tender moments between lovers, and the classic “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Dutch artist Jan Vermeer but with a modern twist. Max Zorn’s works are not only technically amazing but also hugely engrossing.

But Max Zorn is a street artist, so he installs the Plexiglas panels on street lamps on public places. Once the lights are turned on, it creates a very graphic picture that seems to be self-glowing.

The idea to work with tape instead of paint was inspired by a friend who worked as a car designer at that time. These guys often use slim tapes to outline their ideas on large boards. I was surprised to see, how fast they could create stunning sketches with it. During the last years that kind of tape-art also conquered the streets as a new form of urban art. However, it is widely practised by using colored tape on walls or streets.

The idea to use light as a medium was born during a nightly run through Amsterdam. The nice old street lamps with their golden light seemed perfect to be used as an open gallery for the first test of my modified tape-art. The installation was very simple by just clamping the taped glass onto street lamps and

Max Zorn’s ’tape art’ is now on display on various lamp posts around Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, and around other central parts of the city that are visible only visible after dark.