Michael Kvium: An Eye For An Eye

  • Michael Kvium
    An Eye For An Eye

    March 1 – April 13, 2024
    Holbergsgade 19, Copenhagen

    One once said, "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind". An eye for an eye – a concept as old as time itself, speaking for the desire for justice, for balance in the face of injustice. But is justice truly served by inflicting an equal wound for a wound? If I give you my eyes and my perspective alone, how will you learn that there are other ways to see the world? As we immerse ourselves in Michael Kvium’s solo exhibition, we’re compelled to ponder these questions. Human figures are meticulously staged against monochrome backgrounds and grey skies; each accompanied by a prop, whether it be a swimsuit, a skull, a blue rubber glove, or an eyeball – each laden with profound symbolism. The interpretation and contextualization of these props are left to the viewer’s discernment.

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    Central to the narrative of the seven oil paintings on display is the concept of reciprocity – a belief that those who cause suffering should experience an equal measure of it themselves. Yet, as viewers delve deeper into Kvium’s work, they are confronted with the futility of this notion – the realization that vengeance only begets more suffering, ultimately leading to emptiness and despair.

     

    At the heart of the artist’s exploration lies the concept of perspective – how we perceive the world around us and how our perceptions shape our reality. Through his work, Kvium delves into the notion of shifting viewpoints, where objects take on different meanings depending on the observer. This interplay between subjectivity and objectivity catalyzes introspection, prompting us to question our assumptions and biases. Rather than providing answers, Michael Kvium’s works in An Eye For An Eye invite us to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity, encouraging us to explore the nuances of the human experience. Through minimalistic compositions yet evocative imagery, Kvium creates space for contemplation – a space where emotions are stirred, and thoughts are provoked; a chance to see the world through the eyes of the artist.

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  • Works
  • Artist Biography
  • Michael Kvium Born in Horsens, DK, 1955 Lives and works in Copenhagen, DK Michael Kvium portrays the follies of humankind....
    Photo: Anders Sune Berg

    Michael Kvium

    Born in Horsens, DK, 1955
    Lives and works in Copenhagen, DK

     

    Michael Kvium portrays the follies of humankind. For almost half a century, his artistic exploration of the suppressed aspects of humanity, has led him across a wide array of artistic mediums. Creating images resonant with theatrical qualities, rooted in his early engagement with performance art in the 80s. Kvium’s paintings are like scenes of a play engaging in grandiose or gloomy emotions, while posing critical questions about morality, idiocies, and the rise and fall of Western civilization. The works are an invitation to the viewer, to engage in reflective introspection, to share the stage and ponder. 

     

    In 2017 Kvium presented his largest exhibition to date, Circus Europa, a giant total installation first presented at ARKEN (DK) and later traveled to Kunsthal Rotterdam. The show fused painting, sculpture, film and installation in a kaleidoscopic vision exploring the state of the world. Kvium’s work has also been the center of various solo exhibitions including SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen; ARoS – Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus; Kunsten – Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg; Horsens Art Museum, Horsens; The Today Art Museum, Beijing; Shenzhen Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen; and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen.

     

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