The Catalyst Experiment

Presented by Project Art Writing and Aarhus Centre for Literature

THE CATALYST EXPERIMENT is an interdisciplinary encounter, where recognised artists, all with a written and a conceptual visual practice, contribute with art writing and works derived from their reflections on writing, language and imagery.

THE CATALYST EXPERIMENT is based on the founding assumption within the area that art writing is a space where the text’s aesthetic unfolds itself equitably in relation to other aesthetic expressions such as images, form, sound and/or the body. This position recognises the mutual catalytic quality of the juncture, the intersection and the exchange, just as the RETHINK theme envisages the energy of the Capital of Culture as a giant catalyst; a leitmotif through all of the city’s cultural collaborations.

THE CATALYST EXPERIMENT is an exhibition format that blends different media, in order to catalyse, expose and examine the aesthetic potentials of the mixture.
Six driven artists and art-writers met for a weeklong workshop in Aarhus in June to jointly conceptualise the physical exhibition as both a gallery show and a site-specific intervention.

The same artists have also contributed new essays to a collection that examines what art writing is, anno 2017. The book is roughly 150 pages and further contains texts by Maria Fusco, who since the commencement of Project Art Writings in 2013 has been the theoretical anchor for the project and Trine Rytter Andersen, in her capacity as project manager and curator.

Parallel with this we have invited six talented young art writers selected from our masterclass program to create their own unique art-writing book. The design and layouts of both the essay collection and the solo publications have been prepared and executed in close collaboration with Lise Haurum, Project Art Writings graphic designer, herself an art writer and visual artist.

About the exhibition
An exhibition of works by Jesper Rasmussen (DK/Aarhus), Lise Harlev (DK/Berlin), Morten Søndergaard (DK/Paris and Pietrasanta), Magnus Bärtås (SE/Stockholm), Corin Sworn (UK/Glasgow) and Juan Cruz (ES/London).

All are renowned artists who are, or have been, associated with different courses at Universities and Art Academies across Europe. Jesper Rasmussen was Rector of the Jutland Academy of Art for 10 years, and is a leading figure on the Aarhus art scene. Morten Søndergaard is a renowned poet, now living in Italy, with continued close ties to Aarhus. Lise Harlev is originally from Odense and educated at the Funen Academy of Art. Based in Berlin for many years and has exhibited several times in Aarhus. Magnus Bärtås, Corin Sworn and Juan Cruz are exhibiting for the first time in Denmark. All three have international art careers and teach at the universities of Stockholm, Glasgow and London, respectively.

DATE
1st September – 30th September

VENUE
Sydhavnsgade 7, Aarhus Havn

AUDIENCE
Everyone