Moth Girl
Louis Rodiger
39 × 36 in.
Film Photograph
1 of 1 Edition, Signed
Design Process: With Moth Girl, Louis Rodiger ventured into uncharted territory—melding the tactile beauty of analogue photography with the precision of digital projection. Forgoing Photoshop and AI entirely, Rodiger developed an innovative in-camera technique: casting light through a digital screen to project wings around his subject’s body, creating the surreal illusion of transformation without a single post-production edit. The image was captured on a single roll of medium-format film—a bold, one-shot attempt to materialize a dream with only light, intention, and timing. The result is a quiet rebellion against the digital age: a vision crafted by hand, steeped in old-world craft and born of lucid imagination.
Artist Statement: “She wakes at night and watches a moth drawn to the light, only to perish in its glow. It reminds her of the dangers of chasing shiny objects—money, fame, and obsession. Our senses can deceive us; just because something feels right doesn’t mean it’s true. Sometimes, we forget that darkness, though daunting, can be a friend. Shiny object syndrome blinds us, but it’s the courage to face the dark that keeps us truly alive.” - Louis Rodiger
ATTRACTED TO WHAT CAN KILL YOU.
-
Printed on 185gsm archival paper, set behind non-glare museum glass, and housed in a handcrafted solid wood frame—built in Tijuana, Mexico with the care of old-world artisanship.
-
1 of 1, signed by the artists, the only one of its kind.
-
This seminole image shot by Louis Rodiger has been shown around the world, having earned the opportunity to show at galleries internationally, including in Tijuana, Mexico, Los Angeles, CA, Barcelona, Spain, New York City, Paris, France, at the Carrousel de Louvre. This image is iconic Louis Rodiger style, bridging the gap between meticulous detail and bold analogue film photography.
MOTH GIRL
louis rodiger
39” x 36”
film photograph
2024
1/1, signed EDITION
Rodiger’s work brings his subconscious to life, illustrating the delicate balance between attraction and destruction. Inspired by the symbolic nature of the moth—drawn irresistibly to light despite its peril.
Girl from Magdala
Louis Rodiger
42 x 34 in.
Film Photograph
1 of 1 Edition, Signed
For nearly a year, Louis Rodiger immersed himself in the study of light—not just as illumination, but as emotion, narrative, and texture. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic chiaroscuro of Caravaggio, Rodiger pored over classical texts, dissected technique, and traveled across continents to trace the painter’s shadow. He stood in the very room where Caravaggio once hid from the Crusaders, peering through the same window that cast the original, iconic glow.
This piece was not stumbled upon; it was staged, composed, and choreographed. Rodiger built the scene from the ground up—commissioning custom props, sourcing the perfect subject, and constructing an environment worthy of his vision. Every detail was intentional. Every choice, deliberate.
Using a medium-format Mamiya RB67 film camera, Rodiger captured the moment on a single roll of analog film—twelve frames only. No retakes. No digital safety net. The result is a bold and reverent reimagining: the romance of Caravaggio through a contemporary lens. A seminal work that merges classical technique with modern storytelling—timeless, cinematic, and unapologetically Rodiger.
Artist Statement: “The Girl from Magdala began as a vivid dream. I remember the skull, the red cloth, the books, the fly, and an overwhelming emotion. After waking in the middle of the night, I wrote everything down and couldn’t stop thinking about the image. Research led me to the works of Caravaggio, whose dramatic lighting mirrored the vision I had. I felt as if an unknown force was guiding me to complete this piece.
Lighting was crucial, and after following various techniques, none worked until I simplified the setup—starting with the skull and one light, then adding the props and the model. I shot the series with a single roll of Kodak film, limited but focused. Weeks later, another dream revealed a voice saying, “I am Maria Magdala.”
This deepened my understanding of the figure I was portraying—a woman often shamed for her sexuality, misunderstood by those unaware of the sacred connection between sex and divinity. The universe is sexual, and creation itself is born from the union of opposites. Through this series, I explore that forgotten truth.” - Louis Rodiger
-
Printed on 185gsm archival paper, set behind non-glare museum glass, and housed in a handcrafted solid wood frame—built in Tijuana, Mexico with the care of old-world artisanship.
-
1 of 1, signed by the artists, the only one of its kind.
GIRL FROM MAGDALA
louis rodiger
42” x 34”
film photograph
2024
1/1, signed EDITION
A narrative steeped in tension, shaped by the contours of the artist’s own life. A work born not from theory, but from lived experience—charged, unresolved, and undeniably personal.
Contact us.
hello@htwtr.com
(858)205-4268
6880 Embarcadero Ln.
Carlsbad, CA 92011