Art Exhibition 'Metropolis'Â : A Journey Through Hubert Roguski's CityWood Laser Cut Maps
When the world of contemporary art collides with the precision of cartography, the result is nothing short of mesmerizing. This is precisely the case with Hubert Roguski's art exhibition, a collection that has been making waves in the art community for its innovative and intricate approach to cityscape art.
The showstopper of the exhibition is without a doubt, the 'CityWood: Metropolis' series. These are not just ordinary maps, they are crafted masterpieces, each one highlighting a different global city. The series includes representations of major metropolises such as Tokyo, New York, London, Barcelona, Paris, Kyoto, and Los Angeles.
Each map in the 'Metropolis' series stretches a generous 72"x72", made up of nine 24"x24" tiles. A testament to Roguski's attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, these large-scale works showcase an intricate city layout laser-cut into layers of wood. Each layer beautifully captures the street patterns, the underlying skeleton that defines each city.
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An immediate standout in the 'Metropolis' series is the 'Tokyo Map Wooden Wall Art'. This piece exemplifies Roguski's blend of artistry and craftsmanship. The iconic urban design of Tokyo, with its fusion of old and new, translates beautifully onto the layered wooden canvas. The city's streets, bridges, and waterways are etched with such precision that one could almost navigate through the city using the artwork. Assembled into a nine-panel grid, this large-scale map is not just a wall hanging but an engaging exploration of Tokyo's urban dynamics.
Artist Hubert Roguski's process behind his 'CityWood: Metropolis' series is as captivating as the artworks themselves. Known for his meticulous selection, Roguski picks metropolises recognized for their unique urban styles and compelling street patterns. The cities portrayed are not randomly chosen, but are places Roguski has visited and studied in-depth. The immersive experience he gains from his travels allows him to capture the essence of each city's unique design and transport that onto his wooden canvases.
Roguski's choice of wood is intentional, aiming to enhance the overall aesthetic of his creations. He prefers pale-colored wood, which serves as a canvas that can be painted to achieve the desired tone. More so, the unique grain of the wood brings an extra level of detail to his work, subtly contributing to the intricate portrayal of each cityscape.
Precision and attention to detail are at the forefront of Roguski's creative process. His tool of choice is a laser cutter - a machine that ensures utmost accuracy when etching out the complex network of streets, bridges, and waterways that define each city. This exacting technique not only enhances the accuracy of the city representations but also introduces a striking depth to each piece.
The final assembly of the artwork is a testament to Roguski's painstaking attention to detail. Each layer is meticulously arranged to preserve the integrity of the city's layout, ensuring the design's overall cohesiveness. As a result, viewers get an engaging and immersive perspective of the cities, an outcome that could only be achieved through Roguski's unwavering dedication to his craft.
Among the collective, one artwork that has left a particular imprint on the art community is 'The Eye'. Unveiled in 2022, this layered wooden map is a testament to Roguski's creativity and unique artistic approach. Standing at 45cm x 45cm x 4.5cm (18"x18"x2"), 'The Eye' is a multifaceted narrative of various cities. Each layer of this piece represents a different city, etched in a distinctive color, culminating in a vibrant and captivating image that seems to pull viewers into its story.
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In addition to the 'Metropolis' series and 'The Eye', the exhibition also showcases some of Roguski's experimental artwork. These pieces present an interesting play of black and gold, with some boasting a satin black finish set against bold red color. These experimental pieces offer a peek into the artist's evolving style and his fearless exploration of new ideas.
Hubert Roguski's art exhibition is not merely a showcase of wood art, but it's a display of ingenuity, a celebration of cities, and an invitation to explore the intersections of space, place, and identity. It is a dialogue about our relationship with urban landscapes and how they shape us, captured eloquently in Roguski's masterful creations. This collection is a testament to the endless possibilities that lie at the crossroads of art and geography.
