Alden Cole & HIS LUMINARIES
Photograph by Alden Cole of the facade of his house at 717 Federal Street, lit up for the holidays with over a hundred luminaries artfully placed throughout this unique home environment that also serves as the artist's studio and gallery.
I’ve lived in South Philly since 2012, spending 10 of those years in houses south of Washington on or close to the 9th St Market. Even though I live in another area of South Philly now, this neighborhood has my heart, and one of the main reasons for that is all of the secret pockets of art and strange things you discover the more time you spend within it. One of those secret pockets is Alden Cole and the absolute wonderland he has created in his house.
In 2015 I moved to 7th and Federal and noticed a couple of doors down from me there was a house that was always decorated with lamps, regularly shifting what was on display. These weren’t just any old lamps, these were special lamps, lamps with character, lamps that changed color to fill and extend the house out with a purple halo. My roommates and I started peeking in as often as we could to take it all in. We’d hang out on our stoop with the hopes of catching a glimpse of who lived there. Over time, we gave up, consigning ourselves to it remaining a mystery. Eventually, we all moved out and that was that. Or so we thought!
In 2019, there was an artist convening that worked with local organizations to connect people attending with artist spaces and hidden gems of the Philly art world. Somehow I ended up at DVAA’s activation and Jarrod, our former ED, planned a visit to Alden Cole’s home, a long time gallery member and former Board Member I had never met before. As we walked there, Jarrod started telling us all about Alden and his home, and I realized I was finally meeting the lamp legend himself! When Alden greeted us by opening the door with a laugh and an offer of cake, I knew we were going to get along.
Last summer, Bryant and I started discussing a topic for our Gallery 1 show for the 2023 Everyday Futures Fest. I kept thinking about the experience I had living down the street from Alden for all of those years and passing by his house in wonder. Being introduced to him through his home and his work, and then meeting him in person and becoming friends with him over the last 4 years is an every day reminder for me about how special Philly is and how lucky we are to get to meet so many incredible people all the time. I realized I wanted other people to potentially find that experience through our Fest exhibition, and thus An Assembled Trace started to form.
Below are some thoughts from Alden about his work, photos of his home, and work he has on view at DVAA within the exhibition. If you’re interested in more information about Alden’s pieces at the gallery or purchasing one to become part of your personal home wonderland, you can find that information HERE. Alden is such an incredible part of our artistic community, and I hope if you don’t know him already this inspires you to reach out to him for a tour of his home!
- Samantha M. Connors (Co-Executive Director, DVAA)
Photo taken by Sam during their first visit to Alden’s house, April 2019.
Alden Cole with 7 of his luminaries on display at DVAA, April 2023
Photograph at night of 7 of Alden’s luminaries on display at DVAA within An Assembled Trace.
In order from left to right, Alden’s luminaries, Gautama, Chemistry, and Athena
Closeup shot of Ataraxia, with several other luminaries behind.
Alden making adjustments to a luminary in his kitchen during a visit by Bryant and Sam, July 2022.
Let There Be Light
For me as a creative artist, it’s all about light and reuse. Whether it’s painting stories in oils on recycled canvas and found panels, or creating unique luminaries from a variety of found lamp (and other) parts, my obsession as an artist is all about light and using what is at hand. I was born to recycle. Growing up on a farm where discards wound up in the barn or in midden heaps where field meets forest, I was fascinated by all the discards - the result of ‘progress’ - that were available to rework into something else. Attic finds in my grandmother’s house also played a part in my burgeoning attraction to art and light, while still a teenager. So I’ve been dealing with the repurposing of materials, often in relationship to light, for quite some time.
I call these creations Luminaries since I see them as 'more' than just lamps, - they're electrified light sculptures, each of which has a unique presence when lit. They’re not made to read by; they’re made to creating a beautiful atmosphere in one’s living environment - mood lighting created by remote-controlled color-changing LEDs that use only 3 watts of energy. They can serve a function as a 'night light' near the front door, to welcome you home after being out in the evening. Also nice for providing a subtle light in a child's room while sleeping. Their choicest use however is as 'evening lamps' to create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere in the home, without all the bright lights - for yourself or when friends stop by for a visit. Enjoy!!
- Alden Cole
Photos taken by Sam July of 2022 within Alden’s home.