“Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more.” (Gordon Magnin)

Los Angele -based artist Gordon Magnin uses high fashion images and turns them into unique “altered found images” we’ve never seen before. His mix of geometric shapes and patterns is more than impressive! What fascinates me about Gordon is his background is in architecture and engineering, so his stunning work is totally self- taught. Time to meet Gordon and ask for his secrets…

Sussan Zeck: Gordon, who are you? What characterizes you?

Gordon Magnin: I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. I grew up skateboarding and getting in trouble. I studied structural
engineering and architecture in college. I like to brew my own beer. I’m a Virgo so I’m pretty organized and a bit of a perfectionist. I’m technically inclined, but I am also interested in expressionism and free association. I try to fluctuate between the two. I often think about the difference of right and left brain thinking and the importance of using both. I have amblyopia in my left eye. This basically means that I am blind in that eye and it has a huge effect on depth perception. I think it makes me see things in a different way. Imagine going through life with one eye closed.

Sussan Zeck: tell me your most significant career steps, how did you get into working in arts?

Gordon Magnin: My most significant career step was the decision to start making work, taking it seriously, trusting my judgement and personal aesthetic sensibility. My path to art was not linear. I did a lot of drawing when I was younger and really loved art in school but when I started college I decided to pursue a more traditional and safe path and studied engineering. I took a required class called visual foundations which was a basic design and art course, the instructor saw I had talent and convinced me to get out of engineering. That is what brought me to SCI_arc (the Southern California Institute of Architecture) in L.A.. I picked SCI_arc because it is one of the most creative architecture schools in the US and many of the studios and seminars weren’t focused specifically on building but rather on aesthetic investigation and concept which I feel is universal in any artistic education. What I took from SCI_arc is that creativity the reason I was there in the first place and this realization brought me back to art.

Sussan Zeck: How would you describe your style? What makes your pieces unique?

Gordon Magnin: I think my style varies, but recently, I have been working a lot with pattern and simple shapes. Typically, I set up a system to alter an image and I don’t really know or want to know what the end result will look like. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t and a lot get trashed in the process. What I look for in the work is for the end result to be odd or grotesque. I really like when the final image is a surprise. If the image creates a sense of abstraction or reveals something else about the subject, it is even better. I don’t really know if my pieces are unique. I just know that I try to follow my own path. I think there is something important about getting past your personal censor and trying to make things with complete freedom, no matter how strange you or others might think theyare. I attempt this with my work as much as possible and I think it has allowed me to do some pretty interesting things.

Sussan Zeck: When do you consider a piece of your work complete?

Gordon Magnin: It’s over when it’s over. Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more. I just know when to stop.

Sussan Zeck: What fascinates you about art, which influences and tendencies?

Gordon Magnin: The ability to create something that is outside of our normal existence. We are surrounded by all sorts of objects and images and we passively categorize these things. I think it is great when a piece of art or an artifact makes you stop, look, contemplate, and reevaluate something that you thought you knew. I think this can come from many different angles, including inventive execution, odd juxtapositions, or anything that is just outside of our knowledge range.

Sussan Zeck: what is your most treasured possession?

Gordon Magnin: Life.

Sussan Zeck: Which talent would you like to have?

Gordon Magnin: To play improvisational piano.

Sussan Zeck: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Gordon Magnin: “Burn what you love.” “If you are bored then you are boring.”

Sussan Zeck: Any insider tips for people interested in arts in London or L.A.?

Gordon Magnin: Culver City in L.A. has some great galleries, but the problem with L.A. is that things are so spread out, although everything is pretty well connected through the internet. There are some great art blogs in L.A. that cover openings and shows. Even if you can’t attend shows you can still see the work.

Sussan Zeck: What’s the first thing you’re doing in a foreign city?

Gordon Magnin: In pretty much every city I visit, I make a trip to the highest point in the city, either man-made or natural to get an overall, aerial view of the place.

Sussan Zeck: Who is your creative role model?

Gordon Magnin: I like Damien Hirst not so much for his work, but for his attitude. I read his book “On the way to work” and it seems that he really just does whatever he wants and doesn’t give a shit what people think about him. I think there is something to be said for that in a creative capacity.

Sussan Zeck: What place in the world inspires you and why?

Gordon Magnin: There was a restaurant/bar in L.A. called Lowenbrow Keller, which was owned by an old German lady. Her husband was a set designer in Hollywood in the 60’s and his side project was working on this restaurant. It was the most over elaborate recreation of a black forest beer hall; vaulted ceilings, super dark, filled with paintings, steins, trophies, traditional music, etc. It had to be the accumulation of 30+ years of work and objects. It was never crowded and right around the corner from where I used to live. It was super surreal and amazing, like something you would see in Disneyland, but better. It definitely felt more real. The contrast of walking out of that place after a few German beers right into the Rampart District made it even better. Sadly, they sold the place to new owners and it lost all of the charm it used to have.

Sussan Zeck: Being a model, would I ever inspire you for any project?

Gordon Magnin: Yes, but I tend to make the beautiful ugly. We should discuss this further. It would be cool to do an editorial with your images, but when I worked with fashion photographers in the past,  they thought my work was too extreme and wanted it toned down a lot, although I am totally open to the idea.

Sussan Zeck: Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Gordon Magnin: Making new work and showing it.

Sussan Zeck: Sounds like a fantastic plan, Gordon! May you have a bright future ahead!

For more information on Gordon Magnin, please visit his website: www.gordonmagnin.com

Interview by Sussan Zeck: www.sussan-zeck.com