Roger the Rat by Roger Ballen to Oslo Negativ

Where: Oslo Negativ - The Old Library - Oslo

When: October 1 through October 24, 2021 

I cannot remember when I put this rat mask on for the first time. Maybe I was born with it.
Perhaps my mother was a rat and my father a human. I think I am a bit of both.

—Roger Ballen

Surreal, refined, disturbing: Roger Ballen has made a name for himself with his special eye for what is usually considered minor or outside, yet is nevertheless profound and touching. In his hands, the documentary power of the camera merges with the ingenious power of his imagination to look into a person’s soul and get under the viewer’s skin. Elaborately produced between 2015 and 2020, his new project is called Roger the Rat. In oppressively sharp black-and-white shots, he follows the life of a creature whose body appears human, but who has the head of a rat. Picture after picture, we witness scenes that—deconstructed and wrested from everyday gestures—reveal the suppressed aspects of human existence.  

One of the most influential and photographic artists of his time. Roger Ballen's photographs span over 50 years. He has lived in Johannesburg, South Africa since 1982 and has produced over 25 monographs and his work is collected in many of the most important museums in the world. Thames & Hudson will be producing a revised up to date version of Ballenesque, Roger Ballen a Retrospective in the Spring of 2022.

I am delighted to be showing my latest images and film on Roger the Rat at Oslo Negativ. Oslo is one of my most favorite cities and I am looking forward to attending the opening and participating in the various events of the Festival.

— Roger Ballen

Press photographs & press materials are available on request.

About Oslo Negativ

The Old Library opens its doors for the first edition of Norway's largest photo festival; Oslo Negativ on October 1st, 2021, in close collaboration with 23 galleries and institutions.

For the first time, the audience will be given the opportunity to see the library's many hidden corridors and darkrooms. The exhibitions will be presented in the rooms «as is», with all its charm and history in the historical building from 1933.

Oslo Negativ will present a festival program with workshops, lectures, guided tours, courses, an extensive film program and a festival shop.

The initiators of the festival, Møller Eiendom and Aars, have a deep passion for photography and are caretakers of Norway's largest private photo collection, which is currently on view at the Henie Onstad Art Centre. 

Oslo Negativ is an independent organization, founded by Møller Eiendom, to promote photography and photographers in collaboration with national and local institutions.

Møller Eiendom purchased the Old Library building from Oslo Municipality in early 2021, and even if plans for the building are not ready yet, their intention is to make photography an integral part of the building's next chapters.

Some of the participating galleries and institutions:

Balder / Brandstrup / Buer Gallery / Fineart  / Galleri K / Golsa / KB Contemporary / Kunstplass  Oslo / Kösk  /  MELK  / NTB /  Podium  / QB / Shoot  /  Vasli Souza / WILLAS contemporary +++