Torbjørn Rødland's New York Exhibition Explores Photography Beyond AI Influence

Norwegian artist Torbjørn Rødland is presenting his exhibition 'Bones in the Canal and Other Photographs' at David Kordansky Gallery in New York through April 25. The show features two distinct sections: a collection of 35mm photographs created after a 2023 artistic revelation in Berlin, and larger-scale cinematic works. The smaller photographs represent a stylistic shift toward more suggestive imagery with less detailed facial features, incorporating black-and-white compositions alongside his characteristic vibrant scenes. Locations depicted include Italian urban views, French backdrops, London, Shanghai, and Los Angeles. Rødland explains this change as a response to artificial intelligence, stating that observing AI-generated fantasy art made him reconsider his direction. He aims to avoid what machines excel at, instead pursuing unexplored photographic approaches. The exhibition includes images of professional dancers in unconventional poses, exploring bodily forms and meaning through contortion. Some works feature recognizable figures like model Lily McMenamy, though Rødland emphasizes varied individual responses to imagery. The artist notes that while no photographs were created for magazine collaborations, such projects help him produce images rapidly. Larger works in the exhibition examine everyday objects through physical distortion, continuing his focus on corporeal themes. Rødland expresses concern that viewers might initially mistake his photographs for AI creations, diverting attention from more substantive engagement with the work.