Solo exhibition A Ilha, Lisbon (PT)
June 2023
Curated by Lars Lisboa
Photos by Thyra Dragseth
Conditions of FlowingInstallation view
WAY UP ON ONE AND THE SAME / AND WAY DOWN ON A TEAMLenticular print mounted on dibond
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
EARN DO NOT AH UNDERSTAND / LEARNING DOES TEACHINGLenticular print mounted on dibond
FIRE LIVES N EAT EARTH / I I I THE DEATH OF ART
Lenticular print mounted on dibond
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
YOU CANT STEP IN RIVER ICE / A NO TO THE SAME TWICELenticular print mounted on dibond
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
HARM NEEDS – O HI / MONY S LOW AND HIGHLenticular print mounted on dibond
FlowMarble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Flow
Marble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Flow
Marble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Flow
Marble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Flow
Marble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Flow
Marble from Vila Viçosa, insulation tape
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
Conditions of Flowing
Installation view
I E NEW EACH DAY / LIKE THE SUN IS A AYLenticular print mounted on dibond
I E NEW EACH DAY / LIKE THE SUN IS A AY
Lenticular print mounted on dibond
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In the exhibition titled ‘Conditions of Flowing’ Danish artist Sofie Amalie Andersen will show several new works, including marble stone sculptures and a series of lenticular prints. In these works, Andersen plays around with language; raising questions about the popular use of literary and philosophical quotes.
Ancient philosopher Heraclitus is often cited for saying: ‘You cannot step into the same river twice'. Andersen splits and reforms the sentence into two co-existing alternative statements: ‘a no to the same twice’ and ‘you can’t step in river ice’. By using the effect of the lenticular printing method, we are faced with several versions made out of the same sentences, activated by physically moving our feet, and thus our point of view. Andersen reflects in the exhibition upon the several meanings of the words of “current”, “currency”, and“currentness”. In physical science, a current depends on whether a series of specific physical conditions are met, in other words a “flow” has to be present to create the current.
A series of wall pieces forms together a slightly odd colourful rainbow, a chain of colours which we can see originates from a certain electric tape that makes part of the large stone sculpture, creeping along the floor. The colours of the tape varies, each colour representing a certain voltage level and usage designation.
A particular flow presents itself in the sculptures, resembling thick cables, like underwater sea-cables, creeping along the dark sea bottom unseen, a giant snake, connecting the continents. This particular “snake” is made out of several unique marble pieces, connected together with the use of electrical tape. This tape, who seems to be the weaker point of the fragmented snake body, destined to fail in its task of keeping the heavy stone pieces glued together, talks also about attempt. It speaks of the impossibility of creating a “true” flow, a “true" current, due to the qualities of the materials chosen. By sculpting in marble, it is hard to avoid the symbolic weights and meanings this specific material holds, among other it is known to symbolise purity and immortality, and in decorative traditions it represents a refined taste. These descriptive words (purity, immortality, refined) comes with a bitter taste, seen in the light of todays polarised political situation.
You cannot step in the same river twice, and the current is ever changing, renewed in every encounter along its way. The symbolic current flowing through Andersens marble cable is threatened, and leaves us to reflect upon a society in danger, a society in urgent attempt to keep its structures together. But are these structures, this current, perhaps worth reevaluating?
Sofie Amalie Andersen (b. Sorgenfri, 1989) is a Danish visual artist, living and working between Denmark and Portugal. Her artistic practice spans from sculpture and installation to text and drawing in various printed formats. She graduated from Malmö Art Academy (MFA) in 2021, the Oslo Art Academy (BFA) in 2018 and the University of Copenhagen (BA) in 2013. In 2022 she attended the Maumaus International Study Program in Lisbon. Sofie Amalie Andersen has made several public art projects in Denmark and presented her work internationally, latest at blaxTARLINES project space Kumasi (GH), Alfaia (PT), Sharp Projects (DK) and Gallery Heerz Tooya (BG). Besides her artistic practice, she is the founder of the exhibition space SOL in Nexø (DK), where she has been curating and organizing exhibitions for a number of international artists since 2019. Conditions of Flowing will be her first solo-exhibition in Portugal.
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Exhibition text by Thyra Dragseth, June 2023