Samara Golden uses sound and technology to animate her found and handmade sculptural forms—and to immerse the viewer in the otherworldly. Videos are projected on any available surface, and fragmented mirrors implicate the audience in Golden’s dramatically lit surreal scenes. “I have really intense attachments to every single thing in the work,” says the Los Angeles–based artist. “It’s the only way for me build up a strong enough emotional pitch, so that when other people go into it, they will be able to have their own feelings.” For the Hammer Museum’s “Made in L.A. 2014” biennial, Golden, 41, will present the latest iteration of Busts: My Personal Winter, a perpetual work in progress she began in 2010. Recently, she added sculptural depictions of people who have observed or discussed the pieces thus far. “The idea,” says Golden, whose next solo show is slated for New York’s Canada gallery in September, “is that over my lifetime it will grow to be a very complicated big sculpture.”
Samara Golden’s Mass Murder, 2014. Courtesy of the artist.
All Over the Map
“There’s a little control—but a lot of chance.” Read more about Israel Lund here. Photograph by Amanda Hakan.
“Jokes and laughter are a way of opening up your subconscious.” Read more about Tala Madani here. Portrait by Adam Laycock.
“I have really intense attachments to every single thing in the work.” Read more about Samara Golden here. Courtesy of the artist.
“I think of my work as paintings, but I have no problem with people calling them sculptures.” Read more about Justin Adian here. Photograph by James McKee.
“The images are old, ancient even. But the way they’re all gathered from different places speaks to our world today.” Read more about Kour Pour here. Photograph by Stephanie “Elle” Quintana.
“People think Brazilians are happy all the time, but there’s a lot of sadness here.” Read more about Adriano Costa here. Courtesy of Mendes Wood DM, Sao Paulo
“I will never be the kind of artist who does one thing.” Read more about Jean-Baptiste Bernadet here. Photograph by Amanda Hakan.
