On the 18 January, a new photographic exhibition with special appeal to both adults and children will open at the Cité du Temps gallery in Geneva.
Called “Microcosmes”, the exhibition will feature the work of Sofiane Samlal, a French photographer known internationally on social media as Samsofy for his unique style of photography, which focuses on the much-loved, small yellow characters found in Lego®!
Using Street Art combined with clever props adapted from local materials and installations, Samsofy produces photographs that deliver a variety of adult messages on topics ranging from humor and poetry to politics. On a purely artistic level, his photos succeed in capturing the imagination of children, are highly creative, and are simply lots of fun to behold!
Talking in French about his career, Samsofy told knowitall.ch, “I first started out as a photographer of extreme sports in urban areas. However, when I took a job in a toy center working with small toys, this inspired me to create my own photos with Lego® characters that I had played with myself as a child.”
He continued, “In my own miniature view of the world – my microcosmos - I started to create Lego® universes where I would play with scales and matter in order to alter the perception of the viewer. I soon realised that if I mixed extremely big objects with microscopic ones, this would help the naked eye to discover what it couldn’t normally see in the real world. Lego® is so customizable that it provides me with an infinite range of possibilities for my work.”
Since Samsofy gave up his traditional job in 2013 to look after his newborn son, he has had more time to focus on his Lego® creations and has gained so much recognition for his work internationally that he is now able to make this his full-time profession. For the past four years he has exhibited his work throughout France, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. However, his new exhibition at the Cité du Temps in Geneva, is the first one he has hosted abroad.
Samsofy commented, “Being a native of the French Jura, which is not far from Geneva, I know this region very well and have many supporters who have followed my work, particularly on social media. I am really excited that they will have the opportunity to see my work first hand, and that others who have not yet seen my photos will have the opportunity to come and see something original on their doorstep!”
Given that most people at some stage in their life have had the pleasure of playing with Lego®, Samsofy's work appeals to all ages, including young children. So if you fancy heading along to the exhibition when it opens in Geneva on 18 January, you can be reasonably confident that your kids won’t mind coming along too – and will, in fact, be more inspired to create their own ®Lego worlds when they return home!
Samsofy’s photos typically sell for between Fr. 1500.- and Fr. 2000.- for a 60 x 90 cm limited edition print (of 5 samples). Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to order prints through the Chromia contemporary art gallery, which is hosting the exhibition at Cité du Temps for Samsofy. You can see more work for sale by Samsofy and other contemporary artists at their gallery in Les Rousses (address below).
So what does the future hold for Samsofy? “I have just produced a book called Megalife," he told us, "which is available in Switzlerand, Germany and Austria, and I am about to publish a new book in France too! I would really like to exhibit my work abroad more so hopefully this Geneva exhibition will be the first of many – including Japan!”
It is possible to meet Samsofy in person at a special vernissage being held at the Cité du Temps on Thursday 19 January from 18h to 20h. All are welcome. To request an invitation, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Microcosmes by Samsofy Exhibition
18 January to 19 February
Cité du Temps
Pont de la Machine 1
1204 Geneva
www.citedutemps.com
Click here to view the exhibition flyer.
Vernissage
Thursday, 19 January
18h to 20h
https://www.facebook.com/events/258259741253491/
Galerie d’art Chromia
Place Centrale
Les Rousses
03 84 33 58 78
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.chromia.fr
Samsofy
https://www.samsofy.fr
https://www.facebook.com/Samsofy-71463945948/
https://www.instagram.com/samsofy.s/
