Physical constructions form the foundation of the exhibition BAUEN - WOHNEN - DENKEN. Karen Lidal and Ingrid Lønningdal show works ranging from drawing and watercolor, to video and textiles.
The exhibition has borrowed a title from Martin Heidegger's text "Bauen, Wohnen, Denken" from 1951. Based on the original meanings of the words build, live and think, he finds connections between the concepts and opens up layers of meaning in our external surroundings. Heidegger describes building as a way of thinking - a method of searching for the world and making it habitable.
Ingrid Lønningdal presents the series Compass, Protractor, Ruler and Scissors, where photographs of building facades are transferred to watercolors. The title suggests how the motifs are transferred and enlarged via geometric techniques. The pencil lines on the sheets show measurements and calculations performed, and the work is similar to an architect's or engineer's construction drawings. Compass, Protractor, Ruler and Scissors are close readings of existing buildings and deal with how reality is rendered, how artists construct images, and what standards we are surrounded by.
Karen Lidal draws, builds and folds in her performative video works. This Is All We Need, takes place in various places in the city, where she draws a floor plan for a simple residential structure, based on measurements from Japanese tea houses and Nordic yearlings. Lidal also presents a text work, which has been written and "sampled" over several years, as well as a crocheted text. The works examine how construction and architectural boundaries set the premises for our lives and for social organization. With do-it-yourself as a strategy, the works address topics such as autonomy and self-preservation.
Karen Lidal and Ingrid Lønningdal both have a degree in Art, Oslo Academy of the Arts, 2008.
Ingrid Lønningdal (b. 1981) participates this winter in the group exhibitions Labyrinth 09 - Writings and Observations, Botkyrka Art Gallery, Sweden and Latest Production, Schweigaardsgt 33, Oslo, and has previously exhibited at 0047, GAD and Tegnerforbundet . She is currently working on a contribution to a publication under the auspices of COMMON LANDS - Public Law.
Karen Lidal (b. 1979) has participated in a number of group exhibitions, including GAD, Soft, 0047, Akershus Art Center and the National Museum in Oslo. She is perhaps best known from the project Kappeland (2007) where she, in collaboration with Runa Carlsen, covered Youngstorget with 1700 sqm of discarded textiles.
