Artist’s 1983 Auction of $1 Snowballs Ignites Discussion on Art’s Worth

What determines the worth of an item, and who has the authority to make that decision? This inquiry lies at the core of David Hammons’ artistry, an American creator known for his contributions in and around New York City and Los Angeles during the 1970s and ’80s. One of his most recognized works, *Bliz-aard Ball Sale* (1983), showcased Hammons selling snowballs alongside local vendors in Cooper Square, New York City. He spread a small rug on the ground, organized the impeccably round snowballs by size, and priced each one at a dollar.

As the snowballs gradually diminished, the artwork spotlighted the concept of transience and prompted visitors to reconsider what attributes something with value. By marketing an item that would soon vanish—charging $1 for all sizes of snowballs—Hammons astutely critiqued consumerism and the contemporary art market.

During a February Sunday morning, photographer Dawoud Bey captured Hammons’ subtle performance and his exchanges with intrigued passersby. Remarkably, several individuals paid a dollar for a snowball, while some collectors attempted to conserve them, underscoring the curious yet enduring effect of the ephemeral installation.

For many years, Hammons has employed common materials and found objects to produce artwork that interrogates systems of value, power, and race within America. His creations are frequently whimsical and intentionally ambiguous, encouraging viewers to question the nature of art, its place, and who it truly serves.

Explore Bey’s imagery of *Bliz-aard Ball Sale* below, and learn more about Hammons’ life and creations in the documentary, *The Melt Goes On Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons.*

On a chilly February day in 1983, artist David Hammons chose to market snowballs of varying sizes next to street vendors in Cooper Square, New York City.

The installation, named *Bliz-aard Ball Sale,* cleverly critiqued the consumer culture and the art marketplace of its era.

Discover additional details about Hammons’ life and career in the documentary, *The Melt Goes On Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons.*

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