Torbjørn Rødland

With a highly constructed, at times fetishistic approach to subjects, objects and materials, Los Angeles–based photographer Torbjørn Rødland (born 1970) makes photographs that are formally acute, conceptually playful and psychologically evocative. This publication offers a fresh perspective on his work. Walead Beshty’s text, “Skin Flicks,” focuses on Rødland’s approach to surfaces; Julie Boukobza considers a number of works in the exhibition by building fictive narratives around them; and Diane Nguyen stages a surreal and winding narrative performance through Rødland’s image repertoire. Bob Nickas’ essay, “Fifteen Years Later,” draws upon the experience of looking at Rødland’s photographs and provides a visual map of their complex system of symbols, signs and gestures. The publication also includes newly commissioned works by esteemed poets Stuart Krimko and Alice Notley.