the lines between matter
the lines between matter is a continuous exploration and a necessary call for deceleration (reflection) in a world whose tempos have long surpassed familiar and recommended limits. Competition, production, and speed are combined endlessly and with little regard for the consequences for the planet’s existence.
Humanity thrives on and at the boundaries, which are continuously broken down in various and wondrous ways. Convinced that the right path is found through an eternal pursuit of growth, prestige, and status. Amidst immediate significant elements determined by the market (nowness+newness), the true essence of life may be found: the communities that bind us together but also contribute to creating ever-greater divides between classes, species, ideologies, and more
the lines between matter seek to address certain aspects of the socially-oriented criticism articulated by figures such as Bruno Latour, Douglas Rushkoff, and the writer collective, the Invisible Committee. The exhibition can be seen as an unfolded and fragmented book: Opened pages, torn-out chapters, and drawings reflect in various ways, through their internal relationships, on current and partly neglected societal and contemporary challenges such as adaptability and class blindness.
Common denominators for the elements of the exhibition can be found, among other things, in the culture and consumer society dictated by capitalism’s competitive and trend-seeking machines.
The artworks consist of a series of speculative drawings (ranging from spatial axonometries to imaginative surrealism) along with counter-commentary texts that have served as both the starting point and concluding remarks for several of the drawings.
The purpose (in short)
The process has been protracted and actually started a few years ago. The project bears the stamp of a frustration over a lack of action from decision-makers and a willingness among especially the elite, but also ordinary citizens, in the global north, to make necessary changes in their everyday lives.
Concerns about climate and the environment have led to research on topics such as de-growth, ecological thinking, overproduction, corruption and equality. Several of these are rooted in the same ground. It has been extremely difficult at times to gather the threads, and it is not necessarily the most important thing either. The focus has been on creating a series of representations - visual works and texts - which can create awareness around topics that directly/indirectly have an influence on the climate and environmental challenges that we, and especially the global south and future generations, face.
Texts
The project features five texts based on the several events that occured during the process. The texts also looks further back in time and tries to make connections that may not have been brought fully to attention just yet. The texts are not meant to be read in continuation of each other. Start off where you like. The titles are as follows:
1. Safety Last
2. The (S)low Commotion
3. The Blind Maker
4. The Hunger Gains
5. Elitist Sports
The work was exhibited at Four Boxes Gallery in June 2023. The following photos are a selection taken at the venue and features the design/set up of the works. For more information on the exhibition visit the instagram account (link above and below).
This work is commenting on several, and perhaps one specific, architects' lack of environmental awareness. The text 3. The Blind Maker can be read in connection to this piece.
Too BIG to fail
(2023)
Drawing: Pencil, graphite
Add ons: Textile, plaster, spray paint
These drawings are commenting on the difficulties of inequality. The drawings can be seen individually, but are made as a whole.
10% vs. 90%
(2023)
Drawings (30cm x 21cm)
Truth is Vile
(2023)
Pencil, graphite, crayon, charcoal
149cm x 149cm
Press release
the lines between matter is a continuous exploration and a necessary call for deceleration (reflection) in a world whose tempos have long surpassed familiar and recommended limits. Competition, production, and speed are combined endlessly and with little regard for the consequences for the planet’s existence.
Humanity thrives on and at the boundaries, which are continuously broken down in various and wondrous ways. Convinced that the right path is found through an eternal pursuit of growth, prestige, and status. Amidst immediate significant elements determined by the market (nowness+newness), the true essence of life may be found: the communities that bind us together but also contribute to creating ever-greater divides between classes, species, ideologies, and more
the lines between matter seek to address certain aspects of the socially-oriented criticism articulated by figures such as Bruno Latour, Douglas Rushkoff, and the writer collective, the Invisible Committee. The exhibition can be seen as an unfolded and fragmented book: Opened pages, torn-out chapters, and drawings reflect in various ways, through their internal relationships, on current and partly neglected societal and contemporary challenges such as adaptability and class blindness.
Common denominators for the elements of the exhibition can be found, among other things, in the culture and consumer society dictated by capitalism’s competitive and trend-seeking machines.
The artworks consist of a series of speculative drawings (ranging from spatial axonometries to imaginative surrealism) along with counter-commentary texts that have served as both the starting point and concluding remarks for several of the drawings.
With his solo exhibition, the lines between matter, Allan Bech Hansen highlights a greater focus on his artistic work, which navigates the intersections of architecture, art, and writing.
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the lines between matter
Opening: 19.30, 7th of June, 2023.
Location: Four Boxes Gallery, Skive.
