Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Press Release,
Ormston House is proud to present AGORA an exhibition of new works by Jens Ardal and Morten Kromann supported by the Danish Arts Foundation. The artists have worked collaboratively since 2012 and founded their studio complex Kulturdivisionen at a former slaughterhouse in Holstebro in 2016. This will be their first exhibition in Ireland and the second drawing on the concept of the agora following the Extract Solo Art Prize in Copenhagen last year.
AGORA stems from a desire to understand the invisible structures and bureaucratic control of public space and how these have generated new forms of meeting and exchange. Jens and Morten have retrieved the title from the gathering places at the heart of ancient Greek cities, designed for public life and democratic assembly. Like the yield from an archaeological dig, a collection of sculptural fragments is presented at Ormston House to provide a discussion framework for commercial, cultural and political activity today. Where and how do we meet in both the physical and virtual worlds to discuss the issues that concern us? Whether these be ownership of public space, post-industrial city-planning, citizens’ influence on urban regeneration, the importance of imagination, the capacity to self-organise, or something else entirely.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Allie Glynn.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Steel grids from industrial storage tanks provide the outline of the installation. Each has been flocked, sprayed with chameleon paint, or coated with a humus combining indigenous and invasive species. The lines suggest a system based on order. Irregular cuts and embedded objects disturb that sense of visual order: a falling chair, hand-carved molluscs, and mechanical insects inhabit the scenography of past and future excavations of our AGORA. A rotating conveyor belt awaits a new production line, while visitors inside and outside the space will trip sensors activating movement and sound throughout.
Opening: Thursday 18 October, 7-9pm
Exhibition period: 19 October - 8 December 2018
Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 12-6pm
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Allie Glynn.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Allie Glynn.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Allie Glynn.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Jed Niezgoda.
Jens & Morten “AGORA.“ Photo: Allie Glynn.