Sigurður Guðjónsson: "Bleak"

Juli 6 until September 9, 2006

Exibition opening: Thurday, July 06, 2006, 8:00 pm
Greetings : Holger Graab
Introductory remarks: Veronika Olbrich, Curator

Introduction

The videos, photographs and installations by the young Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðjónsson (born 1975, lives in Reykjavik/Iceland) are atmospheric seductions. They guide the viewer into a mysterious world, to dark places full of mystical figures.

Guðjónsson's works seem to combine the old topos of his native country's Nordic natural mysticism with the morbid, sinister side of Vienna, the city where he studied for several years.

In his videos, the artist plays on the deliberately utilized cut and superimposing techniques to seize the viewer emotionally. But it is especially the equally important simultaneous interplay of film and sound elements that create an atmospheric arena.

While Guðjónsson's videos depict persons acting in specific sites, his works repudiate a linear narrative or unambiguous legibility. What remains are physically and emotionally experienceable fragments that are joined to form a cryptic visual and acoustic symphony. Attention is given to the grotesque actions of the players and the unnoticed bystander, the viewer, who seems to become a witness to mysterious rituals. The mystical, almost spiritual mood appeals in a non-verbal and non-illustrative manner to states of mind on a universally experienceable level.

Sigurður Guðjónsson conceived a new video for the Kunstverein Langenhagen, "Bleak 2006": Two grotesque people in two different rooms are at the center of the grotesque situation. The communication between them regulates itself entirely on the emotional level of the viewer. In "Bleak", Gudjonsson has largely omitted the transcendentalizing musical elements used in his most recent works. The sound consists almost entirely of material recorded while filming.

Once more, Guðjónsson refuses to present the view with a rational access. Seduced by a subtle ambiance, the viewer is left to confront his own emotional world.

Dr. Christian Schoen, CIA.IS - Center for Icelandic Art

Links: www.galerieadler.com , www.this.is/sigurdur, www.artnews.is

Program

Tuesday, July 11, 2006, 4 p.m.
Guided tour for teachers with suggestions for related classroom work
Contact: Tel. 0511 778929

Thursday, July 13, 2006, 8 p.m.
A scene, where art is produced: Iceland
Members give an account - pictures and music, fire and ice, food and drink

Sunday, July 16, 2006, 3 to 6 p.m.
"In Szene gesetzt" Children's workshop (8 years and over)
Film clips from "Bleak" by Sigurður Gudjonsson will be re-stages
Supervision: Bettina Schoor, Cultural Scientist / Stage Designer
Contact: Tel. 0511 778929

Saturday, Sptember 9, 2006, 7 to 11 p.m.
"Langenhagener Nacht der Kultur"

Guided Tours: Every Friday, 6 p.m.

The Kunstverein will be closed from July 25th to August 11th, 2006


Archiv	Deutsch Sigurður Guðjónsson: "Bleak" Juli 6 until September 9, 2006 Exibition opening: Thurday, July 06, 2006, 8:00 pm Greetings : Holger Graab Introductory remarks: Veronika Olbrich, Curator Introduction The videos, photographs and installations by the young Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðjónsson (born 1975, lives in Reykjavik/Iceland) are atmospheric seductions. They guide the viewer into a mysterious world, to dark places full of mystical figures. Guðjónsson's works seem to combine the old topos of his native country's Nordic natural mysticism with the morbid, sinister side of Vienna, the city where he studied for several years. In his videos, the artist plays on the deliberately utilized cut and superimposing techniques to seize the viewer emotionally. But it is especially the equally important simultaneous interplay of film and sound elements that create an atmospheric arena. While Guðjónsson's videos depict persons acting in specific sites, his works repudiate a linear narrative or unambiguous legibility. What remains are physically and emotionally experienceable fragments that are joined to form a cryptic visual and acoustic symphony. Attention is given to the grotesque actions of the players and the unnoticed bystander, the viewer, who seems to become a witness to mysterious rituals. The mystical, almost spiritual mood appeals in a non-verbal and non-illustrative manner to states of mind on a universally experienceable level. Sigurður Guðjónsson conceived a new video for the Kunstverein Langenhagen, "Bleak 2006": Two grotesque people in two different rooms are at the center of the grotesque situation. The communication between them regulates itself entirely on the emotional level of the viewer. In "Bleak", Gudjonsson has largely omitted the transcendentalizing musical elements used in his most recent works. The sound consists almost entirely of material recorded while filming. Once more, Guðjónsson refuses to present the view with a rational access. Seduced by a subtle ambiance, the viewer is left to confront his own emotional world. Dr. Christian Schoen, CIA.IS - Center for Icelandic Art Links: www.galerieadler.com , www.this.is/sigurdur, www.artnews.is Program Tuesday, July 11, 2006, 4 p.m. Guided tour for teachers with suggestions for related classroom work Contact: Tel. 0511 778929 Thursday, July 13, 2006, 8 p.m. A scene, where art is produced: Iceland Members give an account - pictures and music, fire and ice, food and drink Sunday, July 16, 2006, 3 to 6 p.m. "In Szene gesetzt" Children's workshop (8 years and over) Film clips from "Bleak" by Sigurður Gudjonsson will be re-stages Supervision: Bettina Schoor, Cultural Scientist / Stage Designer Contact: Tel. 0511 778929 Saturday, Sptember 9, 2006, 7 to 11 p.m. "Langenhagener Nacht der Kultur" Guided Tours: Every Friday, 6 p.m. The Kunstverein will be closed from July 25th to August 11th, 2006 Sponsors The exhibition and the program is supported by Land Niedersachsen, VGH-Stiftung and the CIA.IS - Center for Icelandic Art. Concept sponsor ist the Sparkasse Hannover Cooperation partner: Hannover Airport
	© 2008 Kunstverein Langenhagen e.V.

Sigurður Guðjónsson: "Bleak"

Introduction

Program

Sponsors