Round-table discussion with the artists of the exhibition D’après nature at the Swedish Institute.

On September 29, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm and as part of the FICEP foreign cultures week, COAL hosts a meeting with the artists of the exhibition ‘d’Après nature’ at the Swedish Institute: Åsa Sonjasdotter (COAL Prize winner 2014), Henrik Håkansson and Hanna Ljungh. Discussion moderated by Loïc Fel.

Photo: Hanna Ljungh. Extract from the video Vedergällning. The image is modified

Since the beginning of the 20th century, artists have been exploring and integrating all possible materials into their work. This openness includes even the raw nature. Static elements such as wood to biological processes such as the life cycle of plants or even entire ecosystems become the raw material of the work. At a time of ecological awareness, these artistic practices are not limited to a simple formal approach. Is the artist here renewing a certain form of commitment? Does growing up in Sweden, a country where nature holds a central cultural place, influence these new representations of nature?

Henrik Håkansson.
Often mixing high technology and natural elements, Henrik Håkansson’s installations restore the idea of nature through an approach that is both poetic and scientific. While bearing witness to the impact of climate change, Indefinite Swarms magnifies the natural movement of generally unappreciated insect swarms. His works, exhibited internationally, were the subject of a solo exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo in 2006. www.henrikhakansson.com

Hanna Ljungh.
Hanna Ljungh’s works reinterpret mythical scenes from the history of Nordic art. Whether it is romanticism, Ingmar Bergman’s films or the art of landscape in general, his visions reveal with a lot of humor unexpected relationships between Man and Nature. Hanna Ljungh is a graduate of Parson’s School of Design in New York as well as Konstfack and the Royal College of Fine Arts in Stockholm. www.hannaljungh.com

Åsa Sonjasdotter.
Since 2005, Åsa Sonjasdotter’s work has focused on the potato. His installations, featuring this popular starch from its planting to its harvest, reveal its historical, social and economic role through the ages. There is a very large number of often unknown varieties, much higher than the number authorized for marketing by European regulations. Åsa Sonjasdotter was awarded the French COAL Art and Environment Prize, following a residency at CENT QUATRE in 2014. www.potatoperspective.org

Loïc Fel.
Doctor of Philosophy and author of L’esthétique verte (Champs Vallon, 2008), Loïc Fel is currently responsible for sustainable development at the BETC agency and co-founder of COAL (Coalition for Art and Sustainable Development).

Practical information:

Round table in English, free of charge, subject to availability.
In collaboration with COAL. www.projetcoal.org

Also on that same date :
16:30 – 17:15 : guided tour of the exhibition D’après nature.
19:00 – 21:00: tasting of potatoes from the work of Åsa Sonjasdotter.

Detailed program on www.institutsuedois.com

This event is part of the GRÖN ATTITUDE! season, which is organized by the Swedish Embassy, the Swedish Institute, Business Sweden and VisitSweden in view of the COP21, the UN climate conference in December 2015.