Information on “Homage to John Coltrane” Series – Conversation with Osvaldo Romberg 2-27-2012

The whole series is based in one song composed, or rather, created by a session between John Coltrane and Milles Davis recorded in 1960 and released under the studio album “Coltrane’s Sound” titled “Equinox.” Its basic idea is that it lack structure, or chords, and it is constructed in scales in order to remain forever in a loop. Differs from minimalist music in that it is not repetitive, as it allows the musician to pick and choose whichever chord to play next. This essentially allows for infinite play and after a certain point is reached in the composition, continuous playing will allow to circle back to the beginning seemingly.

Romberg hence uses the same idea to create his series. The first work offers a template, or rather, a legend to follow the consequent works in order to understand the progression between colors. Based on this song “Equinox,” the artist based his compositions in the chromatic circle. Allowing thus a circling back to the original color after possible permutations have been exhausted. Creating an infinite loop explained by this free based composition.

Oswaldo Romberg has an extensive career as curator and is Senior Curator at the Slought Foundation in Philadelphia. He is also a professor at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, where he a founded a center for experimental cinema, video and media art.

He has exhibited widely as an artist at institutions including the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna; Kunstmuseum, Bonn; Ludwig Museum, Cologne; Sudo Museum, Tokyo; The Israel Museum, Jerusalem; The Jewish Museum, New York; the XLI Venice Biennial, Israel Pavilion; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Museum of Modern Art, Buenos Aires; and the Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven.