Kiasma presents Olav Christopher Jenssen ~ a Contemporary Norwegian Painter

Written by Peter Kleinbourg Friday, 15 October 2010 23:01

HELSINKI.-The 2010 main exhibition series in Kiasma will be launched by the Berlin-based Norwegian painter Olav Christopher Jenssen's exhibition, Panorama. Presenting the latest work by the internationally renowned and constantly innovative painter, the exhibition also demonstrates that painting remains an extremely interesting and vibrant form of contemporary art. We have the pleasure to invite a representative of your staff to meet the artist and view the exhibition from 11am on Thursday, 28 January in Kiasma. The artist will be available for interviews.

The exhibition focuses on Jenssen's energetic and intense new paintings in which he explores the endless possibilities of painting. The colours range from bright pure tones to pastel hues; the shapes, from tightly controlled colour fields to landscape-like forms. Some of the works allude to inner landscapes of the mind. The exhibition is named after an eponymous series of paintings.

As Jenssen is originally from northern Norway, it is no surprise that landscape occupies an important place in his work. He also speaks about an interior landscape, one that we always carry within ourselves, like a childhood memory. He points out, however, that he does not really want to explain his works. "The best way to explain your own paintings is to paint them," he says.

Consisting of paintings and sculptures, the exhibition will be mounted on the fifth floor in Kiasma and will be open from 22 January to 28 March 2010. The Panorama exhibition is produced in cooperation with Kunsthallen Brandts (Denmark) and Sørlandets Konstmuseum (Norway). The exhibition has about 70 paintings and two series of organic sculptures.

The name derives from 'chiasm', which stands for an intersection, particularly the crossing of optic nerves. The name truly is an omen in this case: the central location of the exceptional building, extensive network of a wide variety of partners, the status as the Finnish National Gallery of contemporary art - in Kiasma the people, ideas and ideologies meet and mingle. No wonder that the Kiasma's chosen policy, together with the unique architecture, have created international interest.

Kiasma was  opened, accompanied by festivities, on the last weekend of May in 1998. During the opening weekend, the museum attracted 30,000 visitors. Kiasma has subsequently established its position as a national, and especially a local, meeting place. Kiasma welcomed its millionth visitor in May 2001. The milestone of two million visitors was reached five years later, in May 2006.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma Foundation was created on the occasion of the ten year anniversary of the museum to make it possible for the private individuals, corporations and other organisations to support the important national art projects of our time. Visit : www.kiasmafoundation.fi

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