Draft:Marcel Katz
Marcel Katz | |
|---|---|
| File:Marcel Katz Confidante Dali.jpg Marcel Katz at "The Real Surreal" Salvador Dalí exhibition (2020) | |
| Born | November 15, 1987 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Art dealer · Curator · Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of The Art Plug, authorized Salvador Dalí dealer |
| Website | www |
Marcel Katz (born November 15, 1987) is an American art dealer, curator, and creative entrepreneur. Known professionally as The Art Plug, Katz is the founder of *The Art Plug*, a cultural agency blending contemporary and fine art with experiential marketing, digital storytelling, and fashion. He is notably recognized as the youngest authorized Salvador Dalí dealer in the world.[1]
Early life and background
[edit]Katz was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a creative household—his mother is a painter, and his half-brother works in art curation in Europe.[2] He began his career working in nightlife and events with the Opium Group in Miami before transitioning into the art world through personal curation and artist relationships.[3][4] A 2018 *Forbes Italia* profile described his journey from nightclub PR to becoming an art dealer for Salvador Dalí at just 30 years old.[4]
Career
[edit]The Art Plug
[edit]In 2015, Katz founded *Marcel Katz Art*, which later evolved into *The Art Plug*, an international art brand and agency. The platform represents over 70 artists and focuses on democratizing access to fine art through cultural experiences and collaborations with brands such as Red Bull, Lyft, Foot Locker, and Stella Artois.[5] He emphasizes the merging of high-end gallery work with street culture and digital accessibility.[6]
Art Basel and immersive experiences
[edit]Katz is known for curating large-scale, immersive exhibitions that blend art with fashion, music, and street sports. His *Art Plug Power House* activation during Art Basel Miami transformed a police impound lot into a live art playground, including BMX performances, monster trucks, and on-site mural painting.[2][7]
Salvador Dalí exhibition
[edit]In 2020, Katz partnered with Bertrand Epaud of the Dalí Universe to produce *The Real Surreal*, a public Salvador Dalí exhibition at The Confidante Hotel in Miami Beach. The show featured rare bronze sculptures and signed graphics, such as *Saint George and the Dragon*. The exhibition included a virtual component during the COVID-19 pandemic and was the first Dalí-focused museum-style presentation in Miami.[8][9] Katz became the youngest authorized Dalí dealer through this collaboration, which brought surrealism into contemporary spaces via immersive and inclusive presentation.
Philosophy and creative mission
[edit]Democratizing art
[edit]Katz believes art should be accessible to everyone, not just traditional gallery-goers. He uses his platforms to promote underrepresented artists and create experiences that make fine art relatable to broader audiences.
Supporting creators
[edit]Through the Art Plug Creator Marketplace, Katz empowers emerging artists to build brands, sell directly to collectors, and bypass conventional gallery commissions.[6]
Art as a living force
[edit]Katz’s philosophy centers on keeping art culturally relevant. His work with Dalí is not about nostalgia, but reinterpreting surrealism in fashion, digital spaces, and everyday design. His eyewear brand, *Maison Marcel*, exemplifies his wearable art philosophy.
Inspiring ripple effects
[edit]He integrates creativity and activism into mainstream digital spaces—his verified Giphy profile has over 5 billion views, embedding visual art into users’ day-to-day communications.
Personality and leadership
[edit]Known for his dynamic energy and unorthodox style, Katz is often described as a cultural translator — someone who bridges collectors, brands, and digital natives. His slogan, **"Be the Bolt"**, reflects his fast-moving, idea-driven approach to business and creation.[5]
He is also a connector and mentor, frequently collaborating across international borders and offering creative direction to young talent, brands, and nonprofits.
Notable projects
[edit]- *Art Plug Power House* (Art Basel, 2018–2020)
- *The Real Surreal* (Dalí exhibition, 2020–2021)
- *Maison Marcel* (art-driven eyewear)
- *TPlug.xyz* (artist fashion collective)
- *The Art Plug Creator Marketplace*
Recognition
[edit]In a 2018 profile, *Forbes* described Katz as “an art dealer, fixer, agent, and branding expert,” noting his disruptive approach to fine art in the U.S.[1] His work has also been featured in *Forbes Italia*, *Haute Living*, *Flaunt*, *The Fox Magazine*, *Cultured Magazine*, and student publications like *The Miami Hurricane*.
Gallery
[edit]-
Katz at *The Real Surreal* Salvador Dalí exhibition (2020)
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Art Plug Power House at Art Basel Miami (2019)
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Marcel Katz in Miami (Fox Magazine, 2019)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Carter, Felicity (November 29, 2018). "Marcel Katz On Disrupting The U.S. Art Scene". Forbes. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Antol, Kristine (June 2019). "Coloring Outside The Lines With Marcel Katz". Haute Living. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Q&A: Marcel Katz". Flaunt. October 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "Marcel Katz: da PR in discoteca ad art dealer di Salvador Dalí a soli 30 anni". Forbes Italia. May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "Meet the Modern-Day Art Dealer To Know: Marcel Katz". The Fox Magazine. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "The Art Plug". Distraction Magazine. July 17, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Marcel Katz Embraces Social Media Like No Other". Cultured Magazine. December 7, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ Poliakoff, Amy Brody (November 17, 2020). "'The Real Surreal' to bring works of Salvador Dalí to Miami". The Miami Hurricane. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Marcel Katz Presents 8-Week-Long Salvador Dalí Exhibition". The Fox Magazine. January 3, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.