The first exhibition of artroulette was of the photography of Jeff Wall (b. 1946). Many of the images displayed in the exhibition exist as large photographs backlit in a semi-transparent lightbox. The light emanates from behind the photograph, giving a magnetic quality to the images. The luminescence of the computer screen is therefore an appropriate way to translate his photographs. Though the size is severely compromised by the display capabilities of Chatroulette, the smaller format encourages chatters to approach the screen to inspect what they see. Confusion over figures and narrative is an immediate invitation to discussion, an access point for more profound conversation over the content of the photographs.
Jeff Wall’s work, and particularly the pieces selected for the exhibition, engage in themes of postmodern disillusionment, loneliness, and reassessment of tradition.