While we're on the interior theme, check out the work of Swedish artist
Michael Johansson, whose elaborate installations densify and mystify the objects of the everyday.
Johansson has been a prolific artist in the last 6 years, traveling thoroughly through Scandinavia for work and education, where he exhibits primarily. Perhaps this is someting in the Scandinavian pragmatism being put to work, as these three selected works play out an obsession with space, with a tonal palette from the gallery and the woods.
See Johansson's full portfolio
here.
Ghost, 2009
Ghost, 2009 (detail)
Ghost, 2009
White objects.
Dimensions: 1,75 x 1,75 x 1,75 m.
Installation view: Akershus Kunstsenter, Lillestrøm (NO)
'Ghost' is a small domesticated piece, but is an alien in each territory, whether it is the snowy footpath or exclusive gallery. Packed into a cube, it could be the result of a violent crush, an abandoned Ikea dream, but recently abandoned, will quickly dirty, swell and rot. It's the ghost of what?
Ghost II, 2009
Ghost II, 2009
Ghost II, 2009
White objects.
Dimensions: 2,9 x 2,9 m.
Installation view: Galleri Arnstedt, Östra Karup (S)
'Ghost II' is a haunting sequel, or perhaps a sibling, perfecting its institutional camouflage at the rooms extreme end. This could be a whole house, a series of structural elements, furnishings, flashings and cutlery, who have long since left their ivory shells. White, cut with shadows at the edges, it's like a receipt of its former self.
Konstakademien, 2010
Konstakademien, 2010
Objects from the storage room at Konstakademien, Stockholm.
Dimensions: 1,7 x 2,6 m.
Installation view: MARKET at-large, Konstakademien, Stockholm (SE)
'Konstakademien' is a richer work which like its namesake (the Academy of Art) is aged, coloured, and gloriously shadowy. The archive of leather volumes, unknown contents of suitcases and miscellaneous wooden boxes easels and shelves are nestled in the under-stair space, which we all know curls and descends as an inverse result of the stair. Here the Academy is rationalised, economised, and still beautiful.
www.michaeljohansson.com