Synthetic Pictures

27.04.91 – 26.05.91

Det Syntetiske Bildet Apr Mai1991 2 Plakat

Edgar Ballo, Kjell Bjørgeengen, Eva Grøttum, Marianne Heske, Jon Arne Mogstad, Chr. Montarou, George Morgenstern, Hege Nyborg, Pushwagner, Sven Påhlsson, Sverre Wyller, Daniel Østvold

«Synthetic Pictures» was one part in a series of exhibitions featuring younger Norwegian artists in the 90's. As we can read in the foreword of the catalouge, the management of Kunstneres Hus attempted to connect ideas and expressions of artists from the same generation with similar cultural backgrounds and media expressions. In this exhibition, we see how the mainstream electronization of pictures is highlighted in the field of visual arts. It is not stated that synthetic pictures are entirely related to electronics, but rather that electronic pictures and the flow of pictures in all media influence how we look at, interpret and compose them. Synthetic pictures as a phenomenon is far older than electronic pictures and relates to the combination of pictorial elements, which does not aim to depict or represent an existing reality. In Åsmund Thorkildsens essay, synthetic cubism, the use of collage and constructivism, as well as a television reportage of a ski tournament with the results superimposed onto the footage, are all examples of synthetic pictures. The exhibition, then, consisted of artists with widely differings expressions, ranging from computer graphics and video works to oil on canvas.

Excerpt from the catalogue

Foreword

There has always been a certain general expectation among both Norwegian artists and the art public that the «serious art institutions» should exhibit what’s happening in the studios of the younger generation. Kunstnernes Hus has long been attentive to the emerging realm of young, Norwgian art. The management has consistently tried to conceive ideas for exhibitions that approach this diverse and chaotic material from multiple angles.

In order to avoid mass displays of the established artists or a presentation akin to an art fair, we have decided to restrict ourselves to a certain framework for each exhibit, as well as a somewhat limited number of artists.

Although not trying to locate «trends» or tendencies, we have in the course of our work been struck by the fact that several artists have been developing related modes of thinking. For this exhibition we have chosen to focus on the synthetic picture.

Among the artists invited, we have found that each in their own way work with a conception of the picture which transcends the grammar of traditional representation. We also note a blending of codes and a vocabular eclecticism that is difficult to imagine without taking into account the electronic media and active pictoral environment we surround ourselves with daily.

It is our hope that one will discern in the works presented a new sensitivity, neither moralizing or retrospective, but rather curious about a visual territory long ignored in this country.

Kunstnernes Hus
Reidar M. Kraugerud

Translation by Kunstnernes Hus