Musical Transformation Lights – a meeting with Sanford Kogan
December 8th, 2009 | Published in Features, Interviews, Life & Culture | 2 Comments
Sanford Kogan and Patricia Andreoli-Jones
Patricia Andreoli-Jones meets light sculptor Sanford Kogan in advance of the opening of his exhibition at MK’ Gallery in Grenoble this week.
When I met Sanford Kogan for the first time yesterday, he was trying to purchase an antique glove-making machine from the oldest glove shop in Grenoble for one of his light sculptures. The shop keeper couldn’t oblige, as this object will soon be found in a glove museum. However, with the introduction of the Musical Transformation Lights artist I was hooked and followed Sandy just around the corner to the MK’ gallery where some of his artwork is exhibited, the grand opening being Friday 11th December at 6.30 pm.
You can find a traditional blueberry-picking comb, threaded onto a weaving bobbin on a metal pulley pedestal, the light diffused by an 18th century parchment (dated July 28, 1755) being just right to set a warm atmosphere, see photo 1 below.
photo 1
A trumpet held in mid-air by an art-deco foot and a light glowing through an opaque glass flower could be used as a working light (see photo 2 below).
photo 2
One of the bigger pieces is also on exhibition, when it’s lit you can truly understand the idea of light-play with the shadows it throws on the surrounding walls and ceiling (see photo 3 below).
photo 3
Wanting to know more I suggested a drink at the Bookworm Café, just over the bridge from us (top).
Patricia: Where do you come from, how long have you been in Grenoble, and what brought you here in the first place?
Sanford Kogan: I was born in Richmond, Virginia, where I grew up. I was sent to France by my company as a European Program Manager. In my spare time, I pursued my art, and for two years now I have had more time for my art explorations. As a teenager I was into photography and this sensitised me to light in a great way. I started my light sculptures in 1985 with different musical instruments. Eventually this expanded to include old tools, fireplace pots, heat reflectors, handwritten paper and musical scores, balance scale trays, faucets, spigots, spoons, metal wheels, and binoculars, to name only a few. These objects can be typically found in garage and boot sales, my main aim being then and to this day, to play with light, to transform it through different objects.
Patricia: Has your art evolved since you came to France?
Sanford: There’s an immense richness of material to be found in the local brocantes: art deco lamp shades, brass and copper bits, 18th and 19th century hand-written paper, as well as 70 year old pieces of machinery with surprising shapes, old locks that only need to be opened to reveal an intricate world of wheels, all of which inspires me for new sculptures. Oh, and wrenches and faucets of the ’30s, do you know what I mean … ?
I didn’t, so there was a good excuse to visit Sanford’s “workshop”, as he modestly calls it. Overlooking the Place Sainte Claire, a beautiful old apartment, perfectly waxed wooden floors (I was asked to take my shoes off), high ceilings with the most exquisite art-nouveau chandeliers (restored and put together by my host). And standing to attention – more sculptures, bigger, more imposing than the ones in the shop. Almost human by their presence, each individual has a unique way of lighting the room. I’m amongst friends here, I wouldn’t mind spending the evening in their company … Sanford comes in brandishing a wrench:
Sanford: See this, isn’t it just beautiful?
I’m back on earth again and glad he said “it”, my finely sculpted friends wouldn’t understand such enthusiasm for such a crude object. Only a true creator can show a wrench such devotion. I left shortly afterwards, my head full of his mind-boggling creations.
The exhibition will be at the MK’ Gallery*, 4 rue Dominique Villars, until 31st December, open from Monday to Saturday from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm
After this date, or for more information, please contact S.D. Kogan:
sdkogan (at) yahoo.com
www.musical-transformations.com
*MK’ Gallery is held by artist Marie Killy. Her pastels, colored inks and oils depicting life in the south of France and North Africa are an enchantment.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:48 pm (#)
Interesting and ‘illuminating’ – his serendipitous view of mundane objects allows the artist to create genuinely original sculptures.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm (#)
very interesting . Thank Patricia