Oscar Muños: Protografías

Protografías
Oscar Muños (CO)
MALBA - Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
21.12.12.-25.2.13
Different photographic techniques

This exhibition is showing a wide varieties of techniques for portraits made by Oscar Muños. Not only photographs, but sugar, water and cigarette burns are used for making portraits. I am thrilled by this creativity, but at the same time the portrait itself becomes less important than the technique.



Old street photographs


Portraits made of sugar cubes with various coffee content


Drawings made with water


Video projection of portraits being flushed away


Portraits made by burning holes with a cigarette

The MALBA collection

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Permanent exhibition
Artwork from the MALBA collection

The museum of Latin American art is situated in a green area of Palermo district in Buenos Aires. It offers a wide selection of their collection on permanent display. Here are some impressions:


MALBA interior


 Mario Londoño (CO): Collage fotográfico


Claudia Fontes (AR): Mountains (The Moment of Collapse Reveals Key Points of the Construction)


Víctor Grippo (AR): Analogy IV


Nelson Leirner (BR): Homage to Fontana II


Julio le Parc (AR): Six Circles in Contortion


Rogelio Polesello (AR) - various works


Antonio Berni (AR): Public Demonstration


Tarsila do Amaral (BR): Abaporu


Frida Kahlo (MX): Self-portrait with monkey and parrot


Pablo Reinoso: Blindwoods

Mariela Limerutti: Pedersgata 5 years later

House portraits
Mariela Limerutti (AR)
One of several projects in Tou Works 1, 2008, Stavanger
19 engravings of houses on the sidewalk



This is one of my favourite public artworks from 2008, the year Stavanger was a European capital of culture. The portraits of houses made by Argentinian artist Mariela Limerutti are still there to be enjoyed or discovered while walking along Pedersgata street in East Stavanger.



Limerutti made engravings of 19 houses along the street, some were abandoned, some were in danger of being demolished any time. Most of the houses are old timber houses, and they all have their own stories. In the artist's hometown San Juan in Argentina, all buildings are less than 70 years old. All of the town was demolished in a devastating earthquake in 1944. In Stavanger neglection and the economical boom are the destroyers. The portraits were carved into the pavement like death masks, with their task to commemorate the buildings after they were gone.


San Juan skyline at the foothills of the Andes, rather low houses for a town of 800 000 inhabitants


According to the artist, even some of the curtains are the same since 2008

These buildings in Pedersgata seem to be victims to ungratefulness. Are they left to decay because they do not meet the owners' comfort needs or their economical purposes? Close to the artist's hometown is a sactuary to the legend of Difunta Correa, a blessed woman. There people bring gifts in gratefulness for having a job, a car, a house, drinkingwater. The place is filled with water bottles, work clothes, car plates. And miniature models of buildings. These are representations of the buildings they are grateful for, the houses they love.


House models at Difunta Correa, San Juan, Argentina

So what is the situation in Pedersgata today, almost five years after the project?

All 19 portraits are still there. All the houses are there as well. Some have not changed at all, they are still empty. Some buildings have got a new life, like the one now containing a sushi restaurant or another now housing a travel agent. Mariela Limerutti usually makes temporary artworks, but this is a long-lasting one.


A house with a new life, now with the take-away restaurant Sabi Sushi

The artwork was part of Tou Works 1, maybe the first of many art projects focusing on the east part of Stavanger, and especially the legendary Pedersgata. The street is an important passage through geography, time and cultures. The mood of this area has changed from gloomy to hip during this years, it has become a quite attractive area to be in.



So the portraits did not become death masks. Yet. They are rather mirrors. Their focus is on what could have been lost but are still there. Let us hope it stays that way, and that the houses will be given new life.

Inngang 13: Åpen dør - Selected works

Inngang 13: Åpen dør
17.1.-3.3.13
Rogaland kunstsenter, Stavanger
participating artists:
Geir Egil Bergjord, Ellen Kalvig, Mara Sola López, Bjørg Omundsen, Birgitte Raen Gilsvik, June Angdahl Mong, Al Greenall, Karin Odland, Flavia C. Viland, Henki Håland, Snøfrid Hunsbedt Eiene, Reidunn Richardsen, Anita Jacobsen, Lise Birkeland, Kit Fong Ling, Gunn Lisbet Gaarden, Marianne Løvvik, Inger Lise Adolfsen, Annette Bryne, Kjersti Haga, Hildegunn Fosse, Mario Miriano Mora, Vibeke Flatland, Mateusz Wiewiorowski, Salvatore Curto, Urd J .Pedersen, Elin Gabrielsen, Mirjam Johnsen, Oddny Friestad, Stig Stangeland, Wenche L. Husvæg, Anne Karin Husvæg, Monica Skjæveland, Dan Skjæveland, Annlaug Auestad, Nils Eger, Cécile Anda, Anita Giske, Emilia Zimnak, Turid Håvastein, Katarina Nordbotn, Rune Karlson, Ole Marcus Torsnes, Synnøve Haga, Ingunn Fyllingen, Kier Cooke Sandvik, Irene Grimstad, Dossen Bjørnevik, Agnar Hadland, Lars Falck-Jørgensen, Synnøve Krogstad, Vibeke Rogne, Trond Hugo Haugen, Ingrid Toogood, Ivar Nyggard, Magnus Nygaard, Anne Louise Stangeland, Siri Borge, Reidun O. Birkeland, Liv Krekke Kaada, Gerd Åse Bråstein, Signe Christine Urdal, Marit Aanestad, Natasja Askelund, Jane Skjei, Fie von Krogh, Ingeborg Kvame, Terje Rudi, Julia Mordvinova, Kjerstin Barkved, Karen Erland, Jens Erland, Anette Moi, Ineke van Hal, Tord Paulsen, Janne Skeie Olsen, Nina C. Krogh, Magne Austigard, Jostein Aadnøy, Alessia Fanti Paulsen, Trudie Scholman, Grethe K Bjerkheim, Ingrid Solesvik, Anne Britt Foss, Mona Orstad Hansen, Arne Grimstad Helleberg, Hanne Tobiassen, Torhild F. Jacobsen, Marianne Nyhagen, Nils-Thomas Økland, Eva Sæverud, Anne Marie Arnøy, Gabriella Nicosia, Rita Myklebust, Rein Øverland, Inger Strass, Laila Evensen, Line Anda Dalmar, Laila Eide, Anne Berit Knudsen, Brita Mjølhus Østebø, Astri Knutsen, Marianne Hannig Bertelsen, Solveig Dons Landsnes, Tanja Huglen, Bodil Tjøstheim, Nils Rostad, Andreas Soma, Håkon Håkansen, Liv A. Johannessen, Mari Sanden, Astrid Edel Walter, Liv Margrethe Wold, Oddvar Wold, Rene Tjemsland, Sophie Berntsen, Tone Ims, Elin Høiland, Maya Øvrebø, Stuart McGarey, Hebe Camilla Wathne, Hugo Wathne, Kristin Velle-George, Torunn Thrall, Randy Naylor, Liv Wenche Vigre, Norunn Fresvig, Astri Ræstad, Helle Mellemstrand, Elin Melberg, Ingvill Gaarder, Christopher Jonassen, Inger Bruun, Ruth Bersås, Turid Ottesen, Elin Sangedal, Helga Skjellerud, Terry Nilssen-Love, Tone Mortveit, Linda Jane Gausel, Hendrick Frederik Klaucke, Synnøve Skeie, Magny Tjelta, Gunn Tjensvold, Tove Kommedal, Njål Lunde, Joakim Lund, Anne-Kjersti Hermanrud, Johan Vikse, Synnøve Gallis, Gorm Liland, Roy Albrigtsen, Wenche Sunde, Laila Therese Vistnes, Sally Lywood, Åse Anda, David Calder, Linnea Calder, Ingunn Kanne Risa, Alf M. Staaland, Elizabeth Croft, Odd Sama, Margrethe Aanestad, Anita Tjemsland, Camilla Myklebust, Siri B .Gjesdal, Shadé Barka Martins, GT Aamdal, Ketil Oftedal, Bodil Bjørnstad Kalvik, Liva Bodil Kalvik, Inger Kloster Osmundsen, Sandra Vaka Olsen, Ernste Skrede, Tone Are Knutsen, Roald Sivertsen, Erlend Briggar, Larsen, Lilja Ottesen, Jens Flesjå, Stein-Magnus Opedal, Liv Eiene, Catherine Gilje, Mona Høie, Eli Oftedal Sømme, Unni Ustad Figenschou, Marit Ringen, Turid Steinsland, Gro Lavold, Gunnar Ø. Djup, Helena Line, Anna Kristin Fekking, Anita Hamremoen, Jostein Wold, Anne Haaland Bland, Solveig Landa, Åsa Sjøholm, Simon A. Kjær, Goedele Teirlinck, Anne Helen Robberstad, Tove Sundt-Hansen, Solveig Nessa, Atle, Østrem, Pøbel, Ingjerd Leirvik, Astrid Hegland, Kristel Erga, Torill Brosten, Else Leirvik, Christine Thoresen, Turid Gramstad Oliver, Gunvor Saltvik, Craig Flannagan , Sissel Ruud, Guri Barka Martins, Jørund Aase Falkenberg, Erik Sæter Jørgensen, Anne-Marit Opstad, Kirsten Opstad og Anne-Marit, Opstad, Steven Hay Djup, Oddfrid Eikevik, Hilde Thomsen, Ingunn Snilstveit, Hanne Hauge, Maria Fjell, Anne Naustvik, Anette Pettersen, Dan Byberg, Karina Kazlauskaite, Margretta Moltu, Stine Horgen Bø,
 Jon Øyvind Eggesbø, Mona Lisa Saiz Christensen, Anne Karin Krogevoll, Andreas Kalvig Anderson, Gaute Svindland, Anna Roos, Marit Victoria Wulff Andreassen, Trine Seldal Nessa, Hege Tapio, Mariken Steen, Henrikke Garpestad Borch, Anne Feiringstad, Randi Wardenær, Per Christian Brown, Christine Hansen, Roald J. Tellnes, Liv Sørvåg, Kjell Rameckers, Harald M. Antonsen, Astrid Sæverhagen, Ivar Rudi, Omer Alic, Helene Nielsen, Herman Mbamba, Krister Palais, Marton Leonard Fiskå, Toralv Garvik, Kenneth Varpe, A Bttfn, Eivind Egeland, Marisa Ferreira

This is a closer look at a selection of my favourite 13 works from the exhibition of in total 268 works of 268 artists:


Eivind Egeland: Godeset


Marisa Ferreira: Squares II


Nils-Thomas Økland: #0001


Marit Victoria Wulff Andreassen: Still


Njål Lunde: Trachea


Erik Sæter Jørgensen: Inngang

- a recommendation letter for the artist union members to propose the artist as a new member


 Gunn Tjensvold: Utvalgte handlelapper funnet på vinmonopolet


Gunvor Saltvik: Uten tittel #1


Anne Louise Stangeland: Glädje


Anne Helen Robberstad: Because you're worth it...


Craig Flannagan: God's Monkey


Gerd Åse Bråstein: Bilde i by


Camilla Myklebust: Javel? + Vibeke Flatland: Smaragden  

Best of 2012

 Impressions of exhibitions and artists in 2012

2012 has been a great art year, and now it is time to sum up what made the greatest impressions on me. It has been a difficult year in a good way, there have been far more exhibitions and happenings than I was able to experience. Here is a very subjective list of the greatest moments of 2012.

Exhibitions that impressed me in 2012:

1. Real Life Stories and collaborative exhibitions

I am a great admirer of Chinese culture and art, and the Chinese art events in Bergen fulfilled my Sinophile desires. The locomotive exhibition “Real Life Stories” had an impressive lineup of the most established and interesting Chinese artists, including a world premiere on an Ai Weiwei installation. This was extended by exhibitions of other interesting Chinese artists in other venues in the city. I am impressed by a such world class event taking place in Bergen.
Real Life Stories
Skin, Flesh and Bone
Song Kun & Jin Nv

2. Nuart

Nuart was world class streetart as every year, but this year with a special twist. It has always had focus on public space, but this time this was even stronger. The highlights were the conference on public space and the interventions by Jordan Seiler. He changed the looks of the town by changing the bus stop ads with art, being replaced with art the next morning, and turned upside down the next night, only to be replaced with ads the next morning again. I look at bus stop ads in a totally different way after that.
Nuart 2012 inside
Nuart 2012 interventions
Nuart 2012 outside

3. Katowice Street Art Festival

A well organized festival of art in a charming city. The festival of celebrating the city by painting on its walls made me fall in love with the city. A former polluted industry city is transformed into a very likeably and well planned city, and the murals highlighted this transformation. 
Katowice Street Art Festival - the complete works

4. Inngang 12: Sted

A well put together exhibitions of very different artist, the only in common was their fresh membership in the regional visual artists union. This was my first meeting with the art of very interesting artists, that I will follow with interest in the future.
Inngang 12: Sted at Rogaland Kunstsenter

5. Lost Garden

A wonderful project where great art was hidden in the little forest just outside the Henie-Onstad art center. A forest full of magnificient surprises.
Lost Garden at Henie Onstad kunstsenter

6. Visitt

A very nice visit by artists from an Oslo collective to the Stavanger artist collective Prosjektrom Normanns. The tiny exhibition space was abundand of great, surprising and thrilling artwork. It was a great experience to see two such creative environments meet in this way.
Visitt at Prosjektrom Normanns

(Komafest could have been on top of this list, but I consider this rather an art project than an exhibition, see below.)

Rogaland-based artists who impressed me in 2012:

1: Pøbel

The established stencil artist made a great relational art project in Vardø, the Komafest. What may on the surface seem as a streetartfestival, was really a project not only engaging all the enthusiastic inhabitants, but changing the town’s mood from pessimism to optimism, and making it known worldwide as a creative and magic spot where everything is possible if you dare to pull it through. It is a very brave step to go from anonymous murals to a project involving so many people, but he did so with great success, creating what I consider the most important artwork in 2012.
Komafest

2: Elin Melberg

After the success of the work “I wish, I wish, I wish in vain” travelling the world in 2011, Elin Melberg thrilled us with the magnificient installations of “What's mine is yours to borrow” in an almost sublime setting in the beer halls at Tou Scene. It hardly gets more beautiful than this.
What's Mine is Yours to Borrow

3: Susanne Christensen and Kenneth Varpe

“Ekko” -  an installation of yellow stripes of light connects two school building on the seafront in Bjergsted. Connecting not only the buildings, but the different stages of history, and the different activities, merging it with the tide, this is the most impressive public art installation I have seen in 2012.
Ekko

4: Marisa Ferreira

The works of Maris Ferreira were great new acquaintances in 2012. Through the year she showed off her versatility and productivity in several interesting works, both in her solo exhibition "Colour+Form" at Galleri Sult, in the group exhibition “Inngang 2012: Sted” (mentioned above) at Rogaland Kunstsenter, and her work in the forest in “Lost Garden” at Henie-Onstad kunstsenter (also mentioned above).
Colour + Form
Inngang 12: Sted
Lost Garden

5: Nils-Thomas Økland

After seeing his work in progress during R-open open studios in 2011, I knew his exhibition would be worth looking out for. A great installation where diapositive projectors were shaped into VW Beetles on mountains, showing found pictures of VW Beetles on vacation.
Nils-Thomas Økland: Confessions of a Volkswagen

Inngang 2013: Åpen dør

Inngang 2013: Åpen dør
(Entrance 2013: Open Door)
Rogaland Kunstsenter, Stavanger

17.1-3.3.13.
268 artworks as a result of an invitation with no limitations

There were loads of artwork and crowds of people at the opening night of "Inngang 2013: Åpen Dør" at Rogaland Kunstsenter. 268 artists answered the open call to send in one work each, no limits to who and what. The result is covering all the walls and space in the gallery. These are the first impressions: