We are happy to announce that Sunderø Gallery artist Tove Kommedal´s works “Bardo” (2015) and “House I, II and III” (2016), will be a part of the Spring exhibition at Charlottenborg in Copenhagen (DK).
Kommedal works in a variety of media, selected according to the needs of each project. Her works has a socio-political underpinning and is often relational in tone. The main trajectory is research-based, involving experimentation with the social potential of art, whether on a material or conceptual level. Several of Kommedal experiments and projects last for years. A recurring theme in her work is the individual’s vulnerability in society.
Her sculptural series “House” focuses on human inter-subjectivity, modern anxiety and the search for a new standing point or fundamental ground of being. What is a house compared to a home and to what degree do we as humans identify with nature and our surroundings?
Kommedal´s video work ”Bardo” addresses the individual’s inadequacy in the face of a global environmental crisis. It´s narrative is carried by a figure, covered and concealed by a mantle composed of remnants of rope washed ashore from the sea. The first scene of the film shows a figure taking shape, emerging from the earth. In the next scene the figure moves from solid ground towards the sea, and the final scene show the figure surrendering to the waves and currents. The title ”Bardo” is taken from Tibetan Buddhism and means “the intermediate state”. The three scenes of the film reflect the three stages of Bardo.
On an overall level Kommedal´s projects questions the emphasis in social debate, being mainly science based. Kommedal wants us to reflect on how artistic practices and methods might be applied in this debate. And she asks us whether art can contribute to bridging the gap between academia and the world in which most people live and act, without lowering ones arguments to the ‘post-factual’ level of recent debate.
Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition is one of the most important open, censored exhibitions in Europe and has been held annually at Charlottenborg since 1857. It originated as an exhibition showing new works by Danish artists, but today includes participants from many countries. Over the years, the exhibition has presented works by great internationally renowned Danish artists such as Alvar Aalto, Per Kirkeby, Olafur Eliasson, Superflex and many others.
The exhibition allows a considerable number of artists to participate in a major international project and has over the years provided the first significant platform for many emerging artists, while also presenting important new pieces by more established figures.
This year, a total of 781 artists has given their contributions to Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition 2017, of which 61 has been selected, with a total of 107 pieces.
Kommedal is the only Norwegian artist.
One of Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition’s permanent features is its independent jury, consisting of artists and art professionals from Scandinavia and countries outside of Scandinavia. Jury members are selected based on their understanding of the artist’s working practices, as well as for their strong international outlook.
In 2017 the jury is represented by Alex da Corte (artist, US), Torben Ribe (artist, DK) Stig L. Andersson (architect, DK), Hanna Nilsson/Byggstudio (designer, SE) and Line Clausen (curator, DK).
As well as selecting the exhibited artworks, the jury nominates five artists for The Solo Award. With the Solo Award follows an invitation to exhibit at Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition 2018.
The five artists nominated for the Solo Award are: Rodo Abdirahman, Julie Falk, Anna Johansson, Steven Morgana and Lilybeth Sebaldus & Gudrun van Zijl.
Opening hours:
February 3 to March 11, 2017
Tuesday-Sunday 11am – 5pm
Wednesday 11am – 8pm
Mondays closed
Address: Kunsthal Charlottenborg
Nyhavn 2, København, Denmark
Photo: “House # 3” (2016), 25 x 26 x 45 cm, plaster, sticks of garden waste rice glue, recycled paper. Courtesy of Christopher Jonassen
