SANDY SKOGLUND
Osservando le immagini che l’artista americana Sandy Skoglund, indiscussa pioniera della Staged Photography, ha realizzato dalla fine degli anni Settanta a oggi, si entra in un mondo meraviglioso e perturbante, in cui incantamento ed inquietudine, quotidianità e aspetti fiabeschi convivono armoniosamente.
Definire le sue opere è un problema non da poco: sono sculture, oppure installazioni, o fotografie di installazioni e sculture? Nulla di ciò che appare al loro interno viene infatti manipolato tramite photoshop: al contrario, tutto si mostra per ciò che realmente è. E’ proprio l’artista in persona a creare, dettaglio dopo dettaglio, le sue scenografie, facendo sì che ogni elemento dell’ambientazione generale sia un’opera d’arte a sé stante: infatti, dopo aver predisposto il set, inserisce le varie sculture realizzate a mano in terracotta e resina dipinta e, infine, le comparse umane, traducendo così concretamente l’idea di un’opera d’arte totale.
“Spesso mi chiedono perché non realizzi le mie immagini al computer: ne cambierebbe il significato. Sapere che ciò che guardiamo è esistito davvero, modifica la nostra percezione dell’immagine“, ha dichiarato infatti l’artista parlando del proprio lavoro.
Sia le sue fotografie sia le sue installazioni sono parte delle collezioni dei più importanti musei e istituzioni del mondo: Centre Pompidou, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, Denver Museum, Getty Museum, Maison Européenne de la Photographie…
Inoltre è finalmente ora disponibile in galleria il grande volume antologico curato dal Prof. Germano Celant e dedicato alla figura di Sandy Skoglund, la cui pubblicazione è avvenuta in concomitanza con l’inaugurazione di tre grandi mostre, una italiana, una europea ed una mondiale, incentrate su “Winter”, il nuovo atteso lavoro di Sandy Skoglund.
Winter, 2019
Winter
2019
archival color photograph
small format: cm 70 x 90 ca. / inches 27.6 x 35.4 ca.
medium format: cm 100 x 130 ca. / inches 39.4 x 51.2 ca.
large format: cm 125 x 165 ca. / inches 49.2 x 65 ca.
Winter – Sketch #2
2019
archival color photograph
approx. size cm. 28 x 33 ca./ inches 11 x 13 ca.
Winter – Sketch #1
2019
archival color photograph
approx. size cm. 28 x 40 ca./ inches 11 x 15.7 ca.
Blue Ice & Owl Sculptures
from Winter installation
2019
3D digital sculpture in plastic
different measures
Bronze Owl sculpture
from Winter installation
2019
unique sculpture
bronze sculpture covered by blue patina
approx. height 45.72 ca.
Eyeflake
from Winter installation
2019
unique piece
UV print on metal
diameter 50 cm
Disponibili altre varianti su richiesta
Staged Photography: 1979 – 2019
Revenge of the Goldfish
1981
archival color photograph
cm 88.9 x 69.2 ca. / inches 35 x 27 1/4 ca.
Radioactive Cats
1980
archival color photograph
cm 83.8 x 64.7 ca. / inches 33 x 25 1/2 ca.
Fresh Hybrid
2008
archival color photograph
cm 95 x 145 ca. / inches 37,4 x 57 ca.
Fox Games
1989
archival color photograph
cm 117 x 150 ca. / inches 46 x 59 ca.
The Grey Foxes
2008
archival color photograph
cm 79.8 x 61 ca. / inches 24 x 31 ca.
Raining Popcorn
2001
archival color photograph
cm 123.75 x 97.5 ca. / inches 48.7 x 38.4 ca.
Breathing glass
2000
archival color photograph
cm 133.4 x 99 ca. / inches 52 1/2 x 39 ca.
Walking on eggshells
1997
archival color photograph
cm 155 x 119.4 ca. / inches 61 x 47 ca.
The Wedding
1994
archival color photograph
cm 122 x 96.5 ca. / inches 48 x 38 ca.
Picnic on wine
2003
archival color photograph
cm 132.1 x 106.7 ca. / inches 52 x 42 ca.
Gathering Paradise
1991
archival color photograph
cm 153.9 x 120 ca. / inches 61 x 47 1/2 ca.
The Cocktail Party
1992
archival color photograph
cm 165.1 x 121.9 ca. / inches 65 x 48 ca.
The Green House
1990
archival color photograph
cm 150.5 x 117.5 ca. / inches 59 1/4 x 46 1/4 ca.
A Breeze at work
1987
archival color photograph
cm 137.2 x 96.5 ca. / inches 54 x 38 ca.
Shimmering Madness
1998
archival color photograph
cm 116.8 x 91.4 ca. / inches 46 x 36 ca.
As far as the eye can see
2001
archival color photograph
cm 106.7 x 81.3 ca. / inches 42 x 32 ca.
The Cold War
1999
archival color photograph
cm 50.8 x 40.6 ca. / inches 20 x 16 ca.
Squirrels at the drive-in
1996
Photolitograph, ink on Ragcote paper
cm 164.9 x 50.8 ca. / inches 25 1/2 x 20 ca.
Babies at Paradise Pond
1996
Photolitograph, ink on Ragcote paper
cm 64.8 x 50.8 ca. / inches 25 1/2 x 20 ca.
Cats in Paris
1993
Photolitograph, ink on Ragcote paper
cm 71.1 x 60 ca. / inches 28 x 23 1/2 ca.
Dogs on the beach
1992
archival color photograph
cm 64.8 x 53.8 ca. / inches 25.5 x 20 ca.
Atomic Love
1992
archival color photograph
cm 158.8 x 121.3 ca. / inches 62 1/2 x 47 3/4 ca.
Body Limits
1992
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 90.8 ca. / inches 28 x 35 3/4 ca.
Spirituality in the flesh
1992
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 90.8 ca. / inches 28 x 35 3/4 ca.
The Invisible Web
1986
archival color photograph
cm 96 x 67 ca. / inches 38 x 26 1/2 ca.
Germs are everywhere
1984
archival color photograph
cm 80 x 65.1 ca. / inches 31 1/2 x 25 5/8 ca.
Sock Situation
1986
archival color photograph
cm 95.2 x 54 ca. / inches 37 1/2 x 21 1/4 ca.
Hangers
1979
archival color photograph
cm 81.9 x 64.2 ca. / inches 32 1/4 x 25 1/2 ca.
Maybe Babies
1983
archival color photograph
cm 94.3 x 75.6 ca. / inches 37 1/8 x 29 3/4 ca.
Accessories
1979
archival color photograph
cm 86 x 68 ca. / inches 34 x 27 ca.
Spoons
1979
archival color photograph
cm 86 x 68 ca. / inches 34 x 27 ca.
Patients and nurses
1982
archival color photograph
cm 86.4 x 68.6 ca. / inches 34 x 27 ca.
Ferns
1980
archival color photograph
cm 71 x 61 ca. / inches 34 x 27 ca.
Dalle serie “True Fiction II” (1986 – 2004)
Value of wasted time
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Purple blender
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Sink and tub
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Testimony in tile
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Possibilities of trash
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Kiss in car
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Orange with hands
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Invention of the wheel
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Laws of interior design
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Palm trees in suspense
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Green Glove
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Pink and blue
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Red Flower
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Semiotics of surprise
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Error of the efficient mind
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Circumstances of appearance
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Sound of Food
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Parallel thinking
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
The Theory of energy
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Blue Bulb
archival color photograph
cm 62.5 x 25 ca. / inches 24.6 x 10 ca.
Dalla serie “Still Life” (1978)
Luncheon meat on a counter
archival color photograph
cm 72.4 x 57.1 ca. / inches 28 1/2 x 22 1/2 ca.
Cubed carrots and kernels of corn
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 55.9 ca. / inches 28 x 22 ca.
Nine slices of marblecake
archival color photograph
cm 69.8 x 55.6 ca. / inches 27 1/2 x 21 7/8 ca.
Orange on a box
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 55.9 ca. / inches 28 x 22 ca.
Peas and carrots on a plate
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 55.9 ca. / inches 28 x 22 ca.
Two plates of corn
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 55.9 ca. / inches 28 x 22 ca.
Yellow Box
archival color photograph
cm 71.1 x 55.9 ca. / inches 28 x 22 ca.
Peas on a plate
archival color photograph
cm 70.8 x 55.6 ca. / inches 27 7/8 x 21 7/8 ca.
Two Boxes
archival color photograph
cm 81.9 x 64.1 ca. / inches 32 1/4 x 25 1/4 ca.
Dalla serie “Reflections in a Mobile Home” (1977)
Toaster
archival color photograph
cm 42.67 x 33 ca. / inches 16.8 x 13 ca.
Pink Sink
archival color photograph
cm 35.5 x 37.34 ca. / inches 14 x 14.7 ca.
Knees in tub
archival color photograph
cm 35.5 x 36.58 ca. / inches 14 x 14.4 ca.
Blonde
archival color photograph
cm 35.56 x 35.31 ca. / inches 14 x 13.9 ca.
Self Portrait
archival color photograph
cm 48.77 x 33.02 ca. / inches19.2 x 13 ca.
Medicine Cabinet
archival color photograph
cm 42.09 x 33.02 ca. / inches 16.9 x 13 ca.
Iron
archival color photograph
cm 42.67 x 33.02 ca. / inches 16.8 x 13 ca.
Al playing the fiddle
archival color photograph
cm 35.56 x 36.32 ca. / inches 14 x 14.3 ca.
Red Head
archival color photograph
cm 34.56 x 35.56 ca. / inches 13.6 x 14 ca.
Telephone Call
archival color photograph
cm 28.7 x 35.56 ca. / inches 11.3 x 14 ca.
Peaches
archival color photograph
cm 34.80 x 35.56 ca. / inches 13.7 x 14 ca.
Looking through a Tomato
archival color photograph
cm 31.50 x 35.50 ca. / inches 12.4 x 14 ca.
American Vacation Motel Cabins (1974)
Scattered Clouds
archival color photograph
cm 61 x 40.5 ca. / inches 224 x 16 ca.
Gold Car
archival color photograph
cm 61 x 40.5 ca. / inches 224 x 16 ca.
Diamonds
archival color photograph
cm 61 x 40.5 ca. / inches 224 x 16 ca.
Shady Trees
archival color photograph
cm 61 x 40.5 ca. / inches 224 x 16 ca.
Laundry and Lilacs
archival color photograph
cm 89.5 x 39 ca. / inches 35 x 15 ca.
Overcast
archival color photograph
cm 91.5 x 40.5 ca. / inches 36 x 16 ca.
Old Tree
archival color photograph
cm 61 x 40.5 ca. / inches 24 x 16 ca.
Sandy Skoglund Enchanting Nature, McNay Art Museum, 2025
In collaborazione con McNay Art Museum e Paci Contemporary Gallery. Testo di Laura van Straaten. ‘Enchanting Nature’ è pubblicato in occasione dell’omonima mostra presentata al McNay Art Museum di San Antonio, Texas (USA), dall’11 settembre al 1° febbraio 2026. Il volume, attraverso testi e immagini, amplia la prospettiva sul lavoro artistico di Sandy Skoglund come scultrice, artista di installazioni e fotografa. Lo scontro tra cultura e natura è eterno, una lotta continua che riflette alcune delle grandi questioni dell’umanità. Il conflitto tra il mondo artificiale e l’ambiente naturale, e i paradossi che questo genera, rappresentano un nucleo centrale nell’opera dell’artista. Questo dialogo si cela dietro una facciata di colori intensi, cifra distintiva delle immagini oniriche e visionarie di Skoglund.
