Roman Signer

This book presents photos taken by Roman Signer on a 2005 journey through the Carpathian Mountains, which took him to the Ukraine and Romania. The photos evidence brief stops at the side of the road and present subjects that fall into two distinct categories: home-grown fruits, vegetables and other produce for sale, carefully displayed on stools or small tables; and loving memorials of flowers, crosses and wreaths for deceased family members and friends who were road casualties. The similarity between each composition the landscape format, the colourful centred arrangement, the consistent distance between photographer and subject belies a deeper message: the produce suggests sustenance, growth and plenty; while the memorials are signs of tragedy and grief. Karpaten / Carpathians is thus not only a collection of travel photos, but a reflection of the human need to shape events, and a succinct story of life and death both realities along the metaphorical road on which we all travel. Born in 1938 in Appenzell, Switzerland, Roman Signer worked as an architectural draughtsman before studying at the School of Art and Design Zurich, the Lucerne School of Art and Design, and the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. Signer is particularly known for his performance work, including action sculptures which involve recording experiments such as explosions and collisions that bear aesthetic results. Signer has exhibited internationally including shows at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht, and Aargauer Kunsthaus in Aarau. Steidl has published his Travel Photos (2006) and Projections (2008).