Red Winter

6. – 20. September

Rena Rädle and Vladan Jeremić

 

 

The artistic intervention on Levanger’s main square by the two artists references different historical periods in the history of Levanger and Trøndelag. From 06–20 August, the area between Tollbugata and Torggata will be filled with the voices, slogans and banners of 19th, 20th and 21st century social movements. From the pavilion, the voices of four fictional agitators will be heard, informing the assembled crowd of historic and current struggles and calling for their uprising. The historical horizon and basis for the research of the two artists was furnished by the three-day-long workers’ uprising that broke out in 1851 on Levanger Square. It was triggered by the arrest of Carl Johan Michelsen, who agitated for the first Norwegian labour movement in Levanger, led by Marcus Thrane.

The work Red Winter*draws on the local tradition of historical folk theater. The intervention, however, with its formal focus on acoustic speeches and banners with slogans, reaches beyond a re-enactment of historical events. As a staged interaction between the speakers of various political and social movements from different eras, the intervention draws a connection ranging all the way from the past to the social struggles of today. The specific historical situations are traced by the speakers’ biographical testimony and accounts, but their incendiary speeches are also directed at the present. The various historical events and conflicts are detailed in slogans that are pictured on the banners, each of them derived from a particular political situation.

Through the artistic compression of time, space and language, the artists present a new perspective on current and historical positions and demands for a transformation of society that allows room for the projection of future political slogans.’

Vladan Jeremić and Rena Rädle are Belgrade-based artists whose projects combine drawing, discussion and documentary video. Their projects include various forms of interventions, public debate and their social dissemination. In their curatorial and artistic practice they research the intersection between contemporary art and politics. Rädle&Jeremić have worked together since 2002, co-authoring video works and projects. Their recent exhibitions include: To the Square 2, Perpetuum Mobilε/Checkpoint Helsinki 2014; Between Worlds II, Kraljevic Gallery, Zagreb; Self Made Urbanism Rome, NGBK, Berlin; Places of Memory – Fields of vision, Contemporary Art Center of Thessaloniki; Moving Forwards, Counting Backwards, MUAC, Mexico City; and The Housing Agenda, Cable Factory Gallery, Helsinki.

 

www.modukit.com/raedle-jeremic

 

*The titleRed Winter is inspired by the dramatic play Raud Vinter by Thorvald Sund, based on the Levanger riots in 1851, and performed in Levanger for the first time in 2006.

 

 

Thanks to: Hilde Brørs, Elisabeth Brørs and Thorvald Sund
Voices: Tore Stavrum, Hege Bakke Kristiansen, Tom Roger Lersveen and Amanda Storaunet.
Sound and post production: Stabburet Studio v/ Sverre B. Inndal og Per Arne Nessemo.