Series of Photography, C-Print, various dimensions, 2008
In the photographic series “It’s Dark in Here”, Roland Wegerer embarks on a striking visual and conceptual exploration of self and material. The series consists of thirteen meticulously composed C-Print photographs, each capturing the artist’s head enveloped in a black plastic bag. With this simple yet provocative gesture, Wegerer investigates the relationship between the human body and everyday objects, transforming the act of placing oneself inside a trash bag into a study of iconic beauty, vulnerability, and abstraction.
The images evoke a sense of statue-like presence, with the black plastic bag serving as both a mask and a sculptural element. The glossy, opaque surface of the bag contrasts with the subtle contours of the face beneath, creating a tension between concealment and revelation. This interplay of light, shadow, and texture elevates the ordinary trash bag into an object of contemplation, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of value, identity, and the boundaries between self and environment.
In “It’s Dark in Here,” the black plastic bag becomes a powerful symbol. It references themes of isolation, anonymity, and the fragility of human existence, while also inviting associations with consumer culture, waste, and environmental concerns. The series’ iconic, almost totemic quality is heightened by the careful composition of each photograph, which emphasizes the sculptural potential of the human form when merged with an everyday object.