Artchipel

Tumblr Monday 56

Nicholas Alan Cope (USA) - from series Vedas / Putesco

Nicholas Alan Cope has been working as a photographer since he graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 2007. His online collection exhibits remarkable cohesion. A sense of clarity is provided by his stylistic intent, as seen with the intricate lighting and staging scenarios resonating throughout his projects. 



Many of Cope’s photographs intend to make associations between objects, and to highlight the interchangeable characteristic of art method. He identifies the significance of an object with a deceptively simple schematic. Much like a painter, the aesthetic of his shoots is constructed with a concise implementation of light, value, and color.  When asked about the architectural nature of his fashion-related projects, Cope elaborated on the importance and malleability of the Object:

“The part of the fashion world that I’m interested in is very sculptural. I love seeing designers who use their materials in a way that creates a structure or utter lack of structure for the wearer. I look for a lot of the same qualities in architecture, the buildings that are most interesting to me feel like enormous sculptures.”

Often collaborating on projects with Creative Director Dustin Edward Arnold, he uses the exchange of ideas to his advantage, co-building powerful concepts for new bodies of work. In Putesco, Cope and Arnold composed a series of Still Lifes, heavily influenced by bodegóns; distinct paintings from Artists associated with the Baroque in 17th century Spain. Deep shadows act as definers for areas of intense detail and texture. Objects hanging from twine in the composition recall the iconic works of Juan Sánchez Cotán.

Starting as an extensive personal project, Putesco influenced a series of similar photographs for GOOD magazine. That seamless utilization of aesthetic and concept, regardless of context, unifies and elevates Cope’s photography.

“My intent is always to be direct and to focus on the task of creating something beautiful. The process may vary widely from project to project, but my goals are always the same.” – Nicholas Alan Cope

The work of Nicholas Alan Cope can be seen at Cope1.com. His ongoing collaborations with Dustin Edward Arnold can be seen at Cope-Arnold.com.



A Sincere thanks to Jacob Van Loon for this Tumblr Monday and of course to Nicholas for taking the time to answer a few questions for ARTchipel.

[more Nicholas Alan Cope | Tumblr Monday with jacobvanloon*]

* Artist interview by artist/curator Jacob Van Loon for ARTchipel