Richard Kagan's "Iron Portraits" at Gallery 339

Although I intend to comment more on the show of photographs at Gallery 339 (Philadelphia) by Richard Kagan, I want to say that they are among the bravest  photographs I have seen in a long time.  Using only minimal means combined with pure technical mastery, Mr. Kagan  reminds us that craftsmanship and artistry can elevate seemingly mundane objects to a near spiritual level. It isn't that the spirituality necessarily exists in the objects but   Mr. Kagan's attention to technical perfection and his persistence in not diluting his vision makes his work a singular point of view that stands out from the crowd.  These photographs are memorable because their power comes  from their interior insistence that you look at them.  The absolute quietness and stillness  in them in a world full of visual and audible screaming speaks more because one has to approach them  in a near meditative way and in this noisy rude world that is a very welcomed thing.  I hope to return to see these iconic works soon.