The exhibition, High Speed Insanity, presents six independent artists : Roger Ballen, Martin Denker, Sally Mann, Vik Muniz, Andres Serrano, Joel Peter Witkin.
Their common denominator is their ability to deconstruct in order to construct, where photography is used as the form of artistic expression.
They all use recognizable references from the arts. In Witkin´s work one sees the older masters such as Botticelli, Possein and Courbet, in adjacent to the influence of Francisco Goya and Edvard Munch. The latter artists are also easily recognizable in Serrano´s provocation of religion. In Denker’s work one traces the influence that the collage artists have of the 20’s & 30’s such as Joan Miro, Max Ernst and later Ernst Schwitters. Roger Ballen´s world of the subconscious is often compared to Man Ray´s sense of form, revealing Ballen´s interest in Jean Dubuffet´s ‘Art Brut’. Even the classic sculptors such as Henry Moore and David Smith are prevalent in the exceptional works by Vik Muniz. In contrast, poetry and 19th century photographers such as Julia Margareth Cameron and Eugene Atget have been Sally Mann´s source of inspiration in capturing the sensual innocence.
The artists investigate their environment and offer the viewer the option to individual interpretation. The intention of the exhibition is to gather a collection of artwork to challenge our illusions in order to fuel a debate.
The title High Speed Insanity is a Martin Denker quote.
Through August 14
PUG (Pop Up Gallery)
at Blomqvist, Tordenskioldsgate 5
Oslo, Norway
Opening hours in June:
monday-friday 10-5 pm
saturday & sunday 12-4 pm
