Using everyday objects that he collected from the streets of Berlin, German artist Martin Roller constructs intriguing and surprising mash-ups. Each new creation looks transformed and as if it is on display in an advertisement. In Roller’s surreal world, a hairbrush has sharpened pencils in place of its bristles and a set of “shoes” is actually a pair of bananas with bright white shoelaces. Roller’s unique eye even manages to turn a car tire into a visually deceiving birthday cake. No matter what the mash-up, each piece takes on a futuristic quality that is both surreal and oddly realistic in its execution.
Although the photographs of the objects look as though they were digitally retouched, the talented artist actually took the time to build each work of art by hand. This means that all of the unusual constructions exist in real life. Rather than using photo altering technology as a tool, Roller prefers to assemble his own physical “collage” from a source that he can mold with his hands. Because of this process, each individual object undergoes a visually complex metamorphosis that pays homage to modern design.
