An investigation into the visionary nature of the birds,
beasts,
and fishes created in stucco relief, by Jens
Jensen
Vind in 1642.
These works which adorn the ceilings within the
reception
rooms at Rådhusgate 19,
Oslo
’s oldest civic residency, are
unique in
Scandinavia
.
The investigation explores this “white animality” from
opposing polarities, mixing historical factual
documentation,
with supposition and intuitive activity in the form of
drawing
and performance.
The exhibition consists of approximately 30 on-site
drawings installed
within the room, and a video in the form of a spoken
monologue
with imagery.
The video takes us on a lateral journey amongst
historical
factual referances, the 12th century Bestiaries
Jungian collective consciousness, Surrealist automatic
drawing, finally bringing us back to the room itself
and
the drawing activity which has been made there.
These “touch drawings” have been made as a form of
performance,
postulating the idea of memory as substance, a
substance
which
has
become inherent within the plaster
reliefs themselves.