Installation for Gunnar Torvund's Memorial Exhibition (1948–2019)
Bryne Kunstforening, Norway (2022)
- with Helene Kjær Bremseth and Matt Bryans
Curator: Ragnhild Aamås
Shared statement from Håvard Sagen, Helene Kjær Bremset and Matt Bryans about the project:
We have been given the opportunity to take a journey through Gunnar's works. Part of this journey was our visit to Kviteseid where Gunnar lived and worked. The experience of visiting Gunnar's studio made impressions, impressions that were unexpected and inspiring. The studio felt completely alive despite Gunnar's absence. This place, these rooms, were clearly his universe of thought as an artist; we got to walk in a labyrinth of traces and objects that opened up in a multitude of directions. We wanted to take part in and pass on his enormous energy, curiosity and logic, through experiences in landscapes we have in common with Gunnar.
On the 2nd floor we took in the forest from Telemark, which was a backdrop for Gunnar in his studio and home in Kviteseid. On the 3rd floor, we met Gunnar through the open Jær-landscape where he grew up, in the form of peatbogs, reeds and sand. The exhibition architecture is both inspired by and a tribute to Gunnar's boundless creativity; a tribute through three artists. The architecture is intended as a celebration of his life and work, and the artistic legacy that lives on through us who have experienced parts of his universe.
The project received support from Rogaland County Municipality, Time Municipality, Arts Council Norway and Bildende Kunstneres Vederlagsfond.
Photos: Erik Sæter Jørgensen and Kåre Wiig
