#szymon roginski

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Szymon Roginski Lower Silesia #03 From "Poland Synthesis" 2004

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SZYMON ROGIŃSKI - ONE EYED JACKS

Piktogram, Warsaw curator: Michał Woliński 25.09 - 22.11.2015

Szymon Rogiński is a photographer best-known for his works shot at night, such as his “Poland Synthesis” series, 2003–2006, for which he used car headlights, as well as more elaborate lighting systems, to extract from the Polish nocturnal landscape shabby roads, crucifixes, quirky houses, and motels. To date, his large-scale depictions have been hung on the white walls of galleries. This mode of display has emphasized his works’ aesthetic character. However, in this exhibition, which delves deeper into the dark heart of his photographs and their American origins, Rogiński’s pieces are submerged in the dark blue and pink lights of the venue—a former gentlemen’s club, with the suggestive name Libido, and now operating as a temporary location for Piktogram gallery.Rogiński photographed a road trip for the series “USA,” 2001, and the subject of journeying was further developed in his “Poland Synthesis” and “Borderlands” series, 2014, the latter two of which are here on view. The title of the show, “One Eyed Jacks,” not only makes a clear reference to the name of the casino-cum-brothel near the Canadian border in the television series Twin Peaks but it also points to the uncanny character of the photographs on display, which give us a mysterious no-man’s-land just as unsettling as David Lynch’s series.

Text: Sylwia Serafinowicz

[kasiakorzeniecka]

“Insects” From series “Collection”, 2002, © Szymon Roginski/ Kasia Korzeniecka

A few years ago we stumbled upon the extraordinary collection of Warsaw’s nonexistent Natural History Museum. It is said that the idea of establishing such an institution appeared as early as 200 years ago, along with the first objects for such a prospective museum. On the outskirts of Warsaw we encountered a large sheet metal warehouse that was home to thousands of exhibits-to-be. Hundreds of shelves, and thousands of drawers, filled with exotic species of plants and animals. A stunning view. Most of the items, catalogued by hand by their discoverers, have a great historical value. And certainly also a unique value in terms of visual experience.

[szymonroginski]

Georgia on my mind #03, 2012, © Szymon Roginski

[szymonroginski]

Georgia on my mind #32, 2012, © Szymon Roginski

[szymonroginski]

Slask #01, 2004 from Poland Synthesis series, © Szymon Roginski

[szymonroginski]

Małopolska #29, 2006 from Poland Synthesis series © Szymon Roginski

[szymonroginski]

Demdike Stare, 2013 © Szymon Roginski

Straight from shelves: my cover for WIRE magazine starring Demdike Stare, more photos with great interview inside.