Opus Incertum—a term borrowed from Roman masonry, referring to the construction of walls using small blocks, broken tiles, and assorted bricks —the artist explores the memory of time and place, as well as the social and functional transformations that the Chapelle de la Charité, the religious building and place of worship where he exhibits, has undergone. He seeks to uncover the layers that have accumulated over time and to reconnect the space with contemporary reality.
opus incertum tells a new story, aiming to document episodes of urban construction, uncovering what lies hidden beneath the ostentatious, and revealing what is no longer noticed. It is also a tribute to collective labor and the dedication of those who contribute to society during construction processes, ensuring the transmission of methods and culture, and practicing oral exchange in exemplary solidarity, all while remaining invisible. The photographic installation highlights functional and pragmatic aesthetics. With undeniable humor, the artist invites visitors to move the new icons placed on handling carts and to participate in the construction site. He succeeds in creating a sublimation—a sublimation of the useful.
Danielle Igniti, Exhibition Curator
exhibition view by Armand Quetsch, CNA
Daniel Wagener was born in 1988 and raised in Luxembourg. Like many of his peers, he felt a strong urge to explore life beyond his home country. This led him to study graphic design in Berlin and later pursue photography in Brussels.
From a young age, Daniel was captivated by various reproduction techniques and creative processes. Though not the most conventional student, he successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in visual communication in Berlin and a master’s in photography from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. His photographic research centers on urban themes and the traces left by human intervention, as well as the representation and presentation of the photographic image in exhibitions. He often displays photography in a more sculptural manner in large playfull installations.
His projects have been exhibited at venues such as the Centre Pompidou in Brussels, Mudam in Luxembourg, and the Rencontres Internationales in Arles.
Over the years, Daniel has developed a deep interest in both traditional and contemporary printing methods, with a particular focus on hands-on craftsmanship. This passion eventually brought him to collaborate with Axel Claes, and together they became partners at “ets Chez Rosi,” a printer and book publisher located in the heart of Brussels.
Today, Daniel works as a photographic artist, book designer, printer and book publisher.
Copyright © Daniel Wagener, all rights reserved
