VÆG is a gallery focusing on up-and-coming contemporary art. VÆG is an open and unpretentious space, which presents and connects emerging artists to the general public. Craftsmannship,
VÆG – Contemporary Art Gallery – new exhibition:
She almost makes films in clay. Carving, scratching and engraving stories into leather-hard clay. Marlene Gartner creates strong storylines. The camera is her free hand drawings and the film screen is her hand built vessels.
After several years of extensive professional experience in the film business, a ceramic course in Mexico in 2014 changed her path. Marlene got hooked. She found her ideal space – working independently with ceramics alone in her quiet studio, where she decides the workflow herself. Marlene finds working with clay creates a highly meditative atmosphere around her and a unique tactile experience.
‘In my new body of work, I am focusing at Climate Change caused by our society. Human activity is destroying planet earth and we have arrived now at a point where certain things are irreversible. Australian Professor of Sustainability Glenn Albrecht observed the need for new vocabulary to describe emotions we feel as we witness the historical degradation of the planet on a global scale.
‘Solastalgia’ describes emotional distress about existence caused by environmental change.
The process for this exhibition ’SOLASTALGIA’, began more than a year ago. When I visited the ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico in the beginning of 2023, I felt this deep connection between their people and nature, something we have lost over time. Seeing the severe pollution in beautiful dying nature made me feel extremely vulnerable. The Mayas constructed a worldview of the Universe by observing the natural cycles of the earth. Through nature they felt interconnected with everything there was. Ancient Mayans also used the Sgraffito technique, which images I want to include in my work. The form will represent planet earth and the engravings done by my hands will symbolize human activity.
SOLASTALGIA is my way of investigating the emotions about the state of the world.’
The exhibition is on view until June 21st 2024
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Marlene Gartner (b. 1985, Austria)lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. She holds a master degree (MA) in Science of Theater & Film, University of Vienna (2007 – 2013) and a bachelor degree (BA) in ceramics, Royal Danish Academy of Design (2018 – 2022).
Photo: Ida Buss Photography