The Trap Rooms
Dianne Whyte

This work is a study of space, in particular the functional spaces of the theatre. Below the stage, they act as a metaphor for the staging of reality that underlies contemporary life. This normally hidden machinery, what really drives the spectacle, serves as a stand-in for the unseen social and psychological forces that shape our lives. The trap rooms come in many varieties, but the common denominator amongst them all, is how they deliver an illusion. They work towards creating a form of reality that appears more real than reality itself. In a philosophical sense they ask questions about the nature of observable reality, what we see is never just what is seen, but merely all that is available to us. ¹

Dianne Whyte is a photographer living in Dublin.  In her practice she is interested in space and how it functions, particularly in how the hidden power structures are concealed from direct view. Usually the images she makes are still, silent and encourage contemplation. ²

About the Series
TLP Editions are an ongoing collection of contemporary photographic projects in the form of accessible and inexpensive publications by PhotoIreland. These A5 sized booklets present a standard format throughout the series, with 36 pages each, a cover with a text block of under 140 words that introduces the project, and the title and the artist name only available on the contra cover. The project creates a node of opportunities as it allows photographers to enter the publishing arena, while facilitating access to contemporary artistic practices to the general public. ³

About the Publisher
Founded in 2009, PhotoIreland was conceived as an organization that would stimulate a dialogue around Photography in Ireland by developing a varied array of initiatives and events with a strong participative approach.