Untitled (Paul Wegener)
ZBIGNIEW ROGALSKI, 2004
Information
Created in 2004, Untitled (Paul Wegener) is an oil on canvas painting measuring 120 × 160 cm, from the Chandris Collection.
Artistic Context
Zbigniew Rogalski (b. 1974, Ołchowa Białostocka, Poland) is considered one of the most distinct voices in contemporary Polish art. In his works, photography and painting intertwine in an almost hypnotic way, creating scenes with a strong atmosphere and visual tension.
Untitled (Paul Wegener) is part of the renowned “Elevator” series, in which the artist captures photorealistic scenes from inside elevators. The key element is a “foggy” trace of breath on the metal surface that reveals the names of historical figures. Here, Paul Wegener—the legendary German actor and director of the 1920s “Golem” films—emerges as a ghost of memory in a snapshot of fleeting, almost dreamlike observation.
Placement & Dynamics at The Met
Untitled (Paul Wegener) is included in The Met Hotel’s collection to create a dialogue between the visitor and the concepts of memory, absence, and reminiscence through the material of everyday life—the interior of an elevator. Placed in a circulation area, the work “breathes” with the visitor, enhancing the experience of a hotel that functions as a modern gallery.
Why it deserves your attention
- Visual Contemplation: An artistic representation that connects past and present with the subtlety of a single breath.
- Conceptual Layering: Photorealism, a reference to film history, and existential silence are all contained within a common space.
- A Reflective Snapshot: One of the collection’s most “silent” yet intense works, it provokes introspection using entirely contemporary means.