BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE; IT’S A MATTER OF REALITY
Installations, Sculptures, Shows
“BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE; IT’S A MATTER OF REALITY″
600 X 800 X 600 CM
PLASTIC & TAPE
In the contemporary art scene, Robert Roelink is an unassuming figure, a self-proclaimed art nomad who travels the world in his camper van, creating art that both confronts and invites reflection. His artwork BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE; IT’S A MATTER OF REALITY is a striking example of his ability to engage in a powerful dialogue with the viewer using everyday, often discarded materials such as household plastic, waste plastic, acrylic, and tape. Described from the outside as a “large pile of dead matter” but revealing a “new world” inside that can only be experienced in the here and now, this work embodies Roelink’s artistic vision: a confrontation with contemporary issues, interwoven with a search for hope and meaning in a world overwhelmed by consumption and polarization.The Duality of the Artwork:
Outside versus Inside
At first glance, BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE; IT’S A MATTER OF REALITY appears as an amorphous mass, a heap of seemingly worthless matter nicknamed “the turd.” The exterior, constructed from layers of plastic and tape, looks chaotic and impenetrable, almost like a physical manifestation of the waste pile increasingly characterizing our planet. This aesthetic is no accident. Roelink deliberately uses waste materials to confront the viewer with the environmental problems stemming from our consumer society. The plastic, often invisible in its everyday presence, becomes a symbol of human negligence and the destructive impact of our lifestyle on nature. The title itself, referencing “black gold” (a term often used for crude oil), reinforces this critique. Oil, the driving force behind the industrial revolution and modern consumer culture, is a source of both wealth and destruction, and Roelink seems to highlight this paradoxical nature.However, the artwork is more than an indictment. Those who take the effort to enter the installation discover an entirely different experience. Inside, a new world unfolds, a space that, according to Roelink, can only be experienced in the present moment. This interior, inflated with air and constructed from thin, black layers of plastic, creates an immersive environment that is both fragile and enchanting. The contrast between the dead, chaotic exterior and the vibrant, almost magical interior invites a reconsideration of what “reality” means. Roelink plays with the duality of appearance and essence, challenging the viewer to look beyond the surface. This makes the work not only a commentary on environmental issues but also a philosophical reflection on how we assign value to the world around us.
Contemporary Themes in a Universal Context
Roelink’s work is deeply rooted in contemporary themes, such as the polarization of democracy, the glorification of economic values, and the various “new revolutions” that define our era. In BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE, these issues are addressed subtly yet powerfully. The choice of plastic as the primary material, for instance, is not only a reference to environmental pollution but also to the economic systems that sustain it. Plastic, cheap and ubiquitous, is a product of a capitalist world where economic growth often takes precedence over sustainability. By transforming this material into art, Roelink poses the question: can we find beauty and meaning in what we consider worthless? The polarization of democracy, another central theme in Roelink’s oeuvre, is less explicit in this work but is implicitly present in the way the artwork challenges the viewer to rethink their perspective. The contrast between the exterior and interior of the installation can be seen as a metaphor for the divisions in our society: what appears chaotic or worthless from the outside may, from within, be a source of inspiration and renewal. Roelink invites the viewer to transcend this duality and embrace a more holistic view of reality.The reference to “new revolutions” in the context of Roelink’s work can be interpreted as a call for change. In an era where technological, social, and ecological upheavals follow one another in rapid succession, Roelink asks us to reflect on the direction we are heading. His artwork is not a passive observation but an active invitation to participate in the creation of a new reality—one defined not only by economic values but also by creativity, hope, and responsibility.
A Nomadic Vision of Art and Nature
As an art nomad working from his mobile home/studio, Roelink embodies a unique approach to art-making. His use of contemporary materials like plastic and tape is not only a practical choice but also an artistic statement. He contrasts these human-made materials with the timeless power of nature, which, according to him, will always endure. In BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE, this tension between nature and culture is evident. The plastic, a symbol of human destruction, is transformed by Roelink into an organic, almost breathing structure that engulfs the visitor and confronts them with their place in the world.The installation, presented in 2016 at Rotterdam’s Kruisplein as a performance, was monumental in scale, amplifying its impact: it is impossible to ignore, just as the issues it addresses are impossible to overlook. By allowing the viewer to literally step inside the artwork, Roelink creates an experience that is both intimate and overwhelming. It is an invitation not only to look but also to feel and reflect.
Conclusion: A Mirror for Our Time
BLACK GOLD UNIVERSE; IT’S A MATTER OF REALITY is more than an artwork; it is a mirror that confronts us with the complexity of our time. Robert Roelink uses the simplicity of waste materials to pose profound questions about our relationship with the environment, the economy, and each other. The duality of the work—a pile of dead matter on the outside, a vibrant new world on the inside—reflects the contradictions in our society and invites us to look beyond the surface. In an era dominated by polarization and consumption, Roelink offers a hopeful message: even in the waste of our time, beauty and meaning can be found, provided we have the courage to step inside and redefine reality.