Deformities of Speed, foreword (2009)

John Wichmann
Foreword

It began with a weekend exhibition in an apartment in central Copenhagen and continued with a number of exhibitions in small galleries, all with the title: Abstract. These initiatives were taken by Anna Odell, a Swedish artist who lives in Copenhagen and was educated at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. For several years, the contemporary art scene has been preoccupied with story-telling painting; these series of exhibitions strongly suggest that a new type of formal abstract art is emerging.

Lyngby Art Association, in cooperation with Flemming Hoff, a member of our board of governors, therefore encouraged Anna Odell to make this assertion visible. Sophienholm was placed at their disposal as each year the council is given exhibition space to allow them to show what is happening at the cutting edge of the contemporary art scene. The exhibition which is entitled Deformities of Speed gathers together a broad spectrum of abstract works to exemplify these “new” formal aspects of contemporary art.

The spectre ranges from painting to sculpture and illustrate many of the in-between positions that are ”both – and”. Working with the painting as a physical entity is the common denominator uniting the participating artists. The painting itself does not only involve the spectator visually, but the material itself, its texture and the physical act of creating the work of art demands a response from the spectator. It is a type of painting that thinks itself through the material.

The title of the exhibition is taken from the catalogue Abstract that describes the previous exhibitions and written by Ferdinand Ahm Kragh, an artist. He notes:”In regard to speed, perception has an upper and lower limit. There are events happening so fast that they can’t be grasped; and there are events that are so slow that they can’t be grasped. Abstraction is about addressing the upper and lower limit of the speed of perception.”

The first Abstract Exhibition took place in Anna Odell´s private apartment. Deformities of Speed takes place at Sophienholm that was originally a private home. In about 1800, these homely rooms were the setting for a number of gatherings to do with literature, music and visual activities. The series of exhibitions therefore complements the house´s heritage by occupying spaces that historically have had the private sphere as a frame for art and artistic practice.

We are very gratefull to Lyngby-Taarbæk Council who have once again put Sophienholm at our disposal – and to the director of Sophienholm, Benedicte Bojesen and her staff for their helpfulness and cooperation.

Also thank you to the public and private foundations whose financial support (mentioned elsewhere in the catalogue) has been decisive in making this exhibition possible.

John Wichmann
Lyngby Art Association