Born in 1977 in Copenhagen,
Lives and works in Berlin.
www.janchristensen.org
I would describe my interests and work as an on-going research – or rather a debate, regarding the way we perceive and understand visual signs and symbols, and what constitutes art within contemporary visual culture and society.
My previous works span from simple text pieces to multi-layered graphic compositions, often installed as wall paintings or banners. I am deeply involved in the whole process from appropriating imagery and developing a thorough field of references, to experimenting hands-on with models, producing collages and installing the final work. That includes experiments of large-scale installation work, and sometimes considers the definitions of site-specificity, phenomenology and the relationship between the viewer and the work of art and the surrounding architecture.
My attitude is that an artist, in order to maintain an interesting and productive discourse, should challenge established standards, including those definitions, parameters or institutions that might be art itself, and work collectively and critically with other participants in the creative field.
Proposal for Twice A Stranger:
My ambition is to maintain a productive discourse, challenging established standards, including those definitions, parameters or institutions that might be art itself, and work collectively and critically with other participants in the creative field, including architects, designers, curators and critics.
For the project in Istanbul I would like to take some time to collect vintage design-/classic lamps from local shops, markets and street vendors, and prepare the way these would be installed.
This idea follows my big project for the Stenersen Museum in Oslo (2008) where I presented a large-scale light installation consisting of about 100 lamps that were collected in Germany. The collection included European design classics from 1950-1970’s. These objects were arranged in a unique way, creating a powerful atmospheric installation. Several lamps were also created by combining elements of different lamps, re-cycling elements of modernist and modern lamps and thus creating new objects.
By collecting design objects locally, I will be able to present a selection of Turkish design and culture, seen through the eyes of a foreigner. If possible, I would like to ship my collection of German and northern European lamps to Istanbul for the exhibition. In this way I will be presenting a re-installation of the museum show from Norway, mixed with the local findings, and thus create a new and unique visual and emotional experience with powerful impact on the visitors.
Istanbul has historically been a place where the east meets the west. Architecture and science have influenced the place in ways that are beyond my imagination, and by being able to spend time in Istanbul to research, acquire objects and produce the installation, I hope to be able to identify and create new work based on such inspirations. The work encompasses aspects of art, industrial design, culture and local traditions.
All Those Moments Will Be Lost, 2008
Everybody Thinks That It Means Too Much, 2005
Lightweb, 2008
Education
1997 – 2000 The National College of Art and Design (NCAD/SHKS), Oslo
Selected solo exhibitions
2009
“Still More Titles for Which I don’t Know What to Make”, KUBUS, Munich (curated by Sven Beckstette)
“Blytt and Rooney Curate Something Nice”, Kunstprojects, Berlin (curated by Declan Rooney and Are Blytt)
“CAM”, Visningsrommet USF, Bergen (curated by Arne Skaug Olsen)
“Utpust!” (Sørlandsutstillingen), Christianssands Kunstforening, Kristiansand; Skien Kunstforening, Skien; Arendal Kunstforening, Arendal (curated by Kristian Skylstad, Ivan Galuzin and Lars Vilks; booklet)
“Bunnies, It Must Be Bunnes!”, Lautom Contemporary, Oslo (curated by Erlend Hammer)
“How To Work Better – Das Büro im Atelier”, The University of Jena/Intershop/Kunstverein Jena, Jena (curated by Christiane Rekade)
Plan B is to Make Plan A Work, Volt, Bergen
2008
Camera Studies, Galleri MGM, Oslo
All Those Moments Will Be Lost, Stenersenmuseet, Oslo
2007
Program: Initiative for Art + Architectural Collaborations, Berlin (with Hackenbroich Architekten)
Initialraum, Münster
Milieu, Bern
Relative Value, c/o – Atle Gerhardsen, Berlin
Galleri MGM, Oslo
2006
Good Times Make You Think that You Are the Lucky One, Buia Gallery, New York
BAR-Code Program, Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (S.M.A.K.), Ghent
Forward Momentum, Kunsthaus Baselland, Basel/Muttenz (publication)
c/o – Atle Gerhardsen, Berlin
2005
Process Room, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
Hordaland Kunstsenter (with Josefine Lyche and Lars Morell), Bergen
Unfinished Painting, Yvon Lambert Project Room, New York
2004
Painting Myself into a Corner, Galleri MGM, Oslo
Some Titles for Which I Don’t Know What to Make, c/o – Atle Gerhardsen, Berlin
2003
Galleri MGM, Oslo
You Are Always Alone in the Cinema (J. Monk), Galerie Nordenhake, Stockholm
Quarantine Series, Amsterdam
2002
Mind [the] Space (with Gardar Eide Einarsson), Oslo Kunsthall, Oslo
c/o – Atle Gerhardsen, Berlin
Selected group exhibitions and projects
2010
SHAZAM! Gerhardsen Gerner, Berlin
2008
Up Against the Wall, Zacheta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw
De:Place, Re:Place, Seoul Design Olympiad, Seoul
Lights On – norsk samtidskunst, The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo (catalog)
2007
Pawnshop, e-flux, New York
Tomorrow, Kumho Museum of Art and Artsonje Center, Seoul (catalog)
Tempo, Skien (catalogue)
I Will Never Make It!, Kunstraum D21, Leipzig
2006
Rio, Artnews Projects, Berlin
Poster Project, Kantor Feuer Window Space/Devon Costello & Ilya Lipkin, New York
Cosa Nostra, Glassbox, Paris
JRP|Ringier – We Make Books With Art, Daviet-Thery, Paris
Super, FRAC des Pays de la Loire, Carquefou, France (catalog)
2005
Prague Biennale 2, Karlin Hall, Prague (catalog)
Post Notes, Midway Contemporary Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota; ICA, Institute of Contemporary Art, London
Installation, Galleri MGM, ARCO, Madrid (catalog)
2004
MixMax, Artsonje Center, Seoul (catalog + booklet)
2003
Høstutstillingen (Øystein Aasan), Kunstnernes Hus/Oslo Sentralstasjon, Oslo (catalog)
…it’s Alive, Oslo Kunstforening, Oslo
Installation, c/o – Atle Gerhardsen, Art|34|Basel, Basel
Ideologia 2, Röda Sten, Gothenburg (catalog)
Southbound – Case Study of an Imaginary Community in Berlin, Spittelmarkt, Berlin (catalog)
2002
40 Jahre: Fluxus und die Folgen (with Rirkrit Tiravanija), Fluxus Festival 2002, Wiesbaden
o VER Station no.2/Passenger (with Rirkrit Tiravanija), The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo