Off-stage, On-stage

Patrick Engfelt, Kristoffer Flensmarck, Katrine Persson

June 6- August 20,  2009

Exhibition and collaboration with the backyardfestival ”Backyard Soundclash 2009”, an initiative by KimRamberhaug

 

 

What kind of ethical implications are involved whentaking the stage, being ”on-stage”? And can you choose to remain ”off-stage”? Which voices deserve our attention, and do we wish to share it, and if so in what way, when the attention is fixed on ourselves? The exhibition presents work by three young Swedish artists, all of which posequestions about the power of definition, democracy and responsibility. The title of the exhibition ”Off-stage, On-stage” derives from Engfeldts installation ”Off-stage”.

 

 

Patric Engfeldt

Born in Uppsala, 1979. Lives and works in Dalarna, Sweden and in Spain. Engfeldts artistic work revolves around questions about power, responsibility and ethics. He works in various media and materials, in recent years with the emphasis on sculptural works in wood. Craftsmanship and process are significant elements in his work. The installation ”Off-stage” deals withthe individual’s place in history, questions about personal responsibility, opportunities for action and what the different consequences are. The title refers to the term used in theatre for when the actors are behind the scenes. The title can be seen as an analogy where the stage is society and the actors are the citizens. Engfeldt studied at the Art Academy in Trondheim and got his Master of Fine Arts from Umeå  Art Academy in 2008. He has participated in several exhibitions in Sweden, Norway and Spain. Most recently a solo show at the Centro Culturel Matadero in Huensca, Spain in January 2009.

 

Katrine Persson

Born in Nacka, 1976. Lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden. Persson’s work often derives from other cultural references than art. She says that she has ”a pastische-like approach to her artistic practice”. Her work generally consists of photography and sculpture, often shown as installations. Persson shows two works in the exhibition; ”It means something. It’s important (Hommage à Roy Neary)” and ”36 views of Devil’s tower”. The works refer to the Steven Spielberg movie ”Close Encounter of the Third Kind” from 1977. In the film we meet Roy Neary, a father who after an encounter with a space ship becomes obsessed with a mountain-like shape without understanding why. After a while he loses his family, job and grip on reality. The works can be seen as a comment on what it means to be an artist, the propelling force and feeling that something seemingly meaningless is of importance. Persson has a Master of Fine Arts from Valand Art Academy in Gothenburg and has participated in several exhibitions, most recently at Galleri 54 in Gothenburg and at Bonniers konsthall in Stockholm.

 

 Kristofer Flensmarck

Born in 1976, lives and works in Stockholm. Flensmarck is an author, and it is as a poet he approaches the visual expression that is presented in the exhibition. Flensmarck will also recite poetry at the opening. In the photo series ”Tomhet” Flensmarck has accumulated and photographed involuntary facial expressions, found on electric cabinets, doors and walls. The work might best be described as a kind of ”found street art”. His writing is also often based on existing material which he puts into an other context than it originally was intended for. In the latest collection of poems he has taken on his grandmother’s almanac. He says ”To me it’s about reading the material in a different way, seeking out the poetry rather than creating poems in my room. I see it as a democratization process, the fact that many voices can be heard in poetry”.

Flensmarck debuted in 2005 with the collection of poems Stilla en björn (Natur & Kultur). In 2007 his second book Den sista expeditionen (Natur & Kultur) was published. In 2009 he released an artist’s book, Chiffonjé (Norra Skånes Gille) and the collection of poems Almanacka (Natur & Kultur).

 

Backyard Soundclash, 2009

Backyard Soundclash er en småskala bakgårdsfestival initiert og produsert av kunstner og fotograf Kim Ramberghaug. Bakgårdsfestivalen ble holdt første gang i 2008, i forbindelse med Kulturuka i Levanger. Backyard Soundclash er inspirert av jamaicanske soundclashes; når to eller flere soundsystemer møtes og battler (konkurrerer) framfor et publikum om hvem som har det beste showet og de mest populære låtene. I prinsippet kan festivalen holdes hvor som helst, når som helst.