Puzzled

Worth noting - Kent Rogowski’s new work, currently on show at the Jen Bekman Gallery through June 14. Rogowski creates surreal pictures by combining pieces from different puzzles into his own original compositions. Because each manufacturer tends to use he same die cuts on different puzzles, the pieces when kept in their proper position are interchangeable within different puzzles of the same brand.

Mixing flowers, blues skies, puffy clouds, and idyllic scenery, Rogowski creates his own alternate fractured universe, one that undergoes yet another transformation when he photographs the finished object. Humorous and cheery, they are not without their own sly commentary on the commodification of happiness and idealism.

Whether they’re photography or re-photography or collage (or a combination of all three) is beside the point. Kent Rogowski’s work demonstrates yet again that although it may be increasingly hard to come up with new ideas, where there’s a will there’s a way.