Press release -
MUNCH PRESENTS: A new exhibition by young artist Constance Tenvik
Constance Tenvik opens her new solo exhibition of sculpture, jacquard weaving and film at MUNCH. This is the fourth iteration of the exhibition series SOLO OSLO, in which the museum supports the next generation of artists in the city.
- Contemporary art is central to our programme at MUNCH. As a museum we are open to a range of perspectives and experiences, with an emphasis on the inclusion of younger voices. SOLO OSLO is an example of this, says MUNCH Director Tone Hansen.
About the exhibition:
The ancient Greek comedy The Birds by Aristophanes (414 BCE) forms the backdrop for Tenvik’s exhibition. In The Birds, the world is divided into three parts. Two men want to escape from the human world, where they are burdened by debt, constant quarrelling and litigation. The two manage to ascend to the bird world, where they convince the birds that they are the true gods. Soon, more people want to get wings and settle in the bird world. They build stone walls that create barriers to the world of the gods and prevent them from receiving sacrifices.
In Tenvik’s installation, entitled Tio-tio-tinx, the two main characters in the play are represented by steel sculptures. Their human world is marked by an ornate and colourful gate at the entrance to the gallery. The bird world is framed by four large digital jacquard weavings, based on Tenvik's paintings and sketches. The video in the final section of the exhibition was filmed in Edvard Munch's studio at Ekely and shows the twelve Olympian gods' response to their perceived neglect.
- Constance Tenvik is one of the most prominent younger artists on the Oslo scene. Her practice is characterised by joy, enthusiasm and exuberance. In this exhibition she simultaneously poses a rebuke to the colonialist undercurrents in humankind’s desire to “discover” new places, drawing a line from ancient Athens to today’s commercial space travel”, says curator Tominga O’Donnell.
Constance Tenvik’s Artist Edition for MUNCH launched during Milan Fashion Week
MUNCH presented its first Artist Edition, designed by Constance Tenvik. The limited collection consists of high-end silk scarves and gloves with hand drawn motifs by the artist. The collection got presented as part of the official programme of Milan Fashion Week on 20 September in conjunction with the exhibition Edvard Munch: Il Grido Interiore at Palazzo Reale.
- MUNCH is also a museum of contemporary art, committed to supporting a new generation of artists. We are proud to present our first Artist Edition by Constance Tenvik against the backdrop of the newly-opened exhibition of Edvard Munch at Palazzo Reale in Milan. This is an opportunity to showcase our SOLO OSLO-series to an international audience, which we hope can lead to other collaborations in the future, comments MUNCH Director Tone Hansen.
See the Artis Edition here
Product images of the Artist Edition
Notes to editors
Constance Tenvik (b. 1990) is an artist who creates immersive worlds through sculpture, performance, textile, costumes, painting, drawing and video. Her artistic expression is characterised by distinct contours, humour, exuberant use of colour and theatrical gestures.
This is the fourth edition of the SOLO OSLO-series, in which an Oslo-based artist is given a solo exhibition at MUNCH. The series is supported by Talent Norge and Canica. The previous SOLO OSLO artists are Sandra Mujinga, Apichaya Wanthiang and Admir Batlak. Curator of all four exhibitions is Tominga O’Donnell, senior curator and head of contemporary art at MUNCH.
Constance Tenvik was selected after an open call by a jury consisting of Steffen Håndlykken (chair), Amina Sahan, Karen Reini, Tove Aadland Sørvåg and Tominga O’Donnell.
The Jacquard weavings are made by VEVFT, Innvik AS, Kristina Austi and Håvard Kranstad
The metal sculptures are made by Jensen Mekaniske Verksted/JMEK
Participants in the film:
Aphrodite: Sei Selina
Apollo: Simon McNally
Ares: Charlie Skuy
Artemis: Ine Marie Wilman
Athena: Sofia Farrah
Demeter: Nora Elise Augustinius
Dionysus: Inti Wang
Hephaistos: Sverre Metteson
Hera: Kathrine Thorborg Johansen
Hermes: Henrik Holm
Poseidon: Harald Beharie
Zeus: Josh Taylor
Film photographer: Marte Vold
Producer: Benedicte Bølling
Editor: Jon Endre Merk
Lighting: Kyrre Heldal Karlsen
Music: Ellen Alien and Actress
Costume: Constance Tenvik with Pål Mikael Sterk-Hansen
MUNCH is home to the world's largest collection of works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. 22 October 2021, MUNCH will open in a brand new building on Oslo’s waterfront. The bespoke structure, designed by estudio Herreros, will house more than 26,000 works that Edvard Munch bequeathed to the City of Oslo. The museum also manages collections donated by Rolf Stenersen, Amaldus Nielsen and Ludvig Ravensberg.
The new museum will trace the artist’s profound influence both on modern art and on artists through to the present day. Alongside displays of iconic artworks from the renowned permanent collection, temporary exhibitions will show Edvard Munch’s lasting influence in his own contemporary society, as well as on today’s generation of artists.
Visitors will experience the highlights of Edvard Munch’s oeuvre, in parallel with a wide-ranging programme of cultural events and experiences for visitors of all ages. From its location in Bjørvika, with unparalleled views of the Oslo Fjord, the museum will offer an extensive program of art and cultural experiences across thirteen floors.
