Momentum, the Nordic Biennial of Contemporary Art, has announced the theme and participating artists for its ninth edition, which will open on June 17 in Moss, Norway.
Organized by a group of curators Ulrika Flink, Ilari Laamanen, Jacob Lillemose, Gunhild Moe, and Jón B.K. Ransu (hailing from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland), the ninth edition of Momentum takes the concept of alienation as its starting point.
Understanding alienation as our contemporary condition, the exhibition—which will take place in the Momentum Kunsthall, Galleri F 15, and at selected off-site locations across Moss—will explore the technological, ecological, and social transformations we are going through, as well as the possibilities for change they are bringing with them.
HR Giger with friend. Photo courtesy H.R. Giger Museum.
Most of the participating artists hail from Scandinavia. One interesting inclusion will be the work of the late H.R. Giger, whose surreal drawings inspired the 1979 film Alien, indicating that the theme of “alienation” may be taken, in some instances, quite literally.
The full list of artists is: Abigail deVille, Atelier Cyberspace, Búi Aðalsteinsson, H.R. Giger, Johannes Heldén, John Duncan, Jone Kvie, Jussi Kivi, Jenna Sutela, Kapwani Kiwanga, Kjersti Vetterstad, Levi van Veluw, Linda Persson, Mediated Matter, Museum of Nonhumanity, Olga Bergmann & Anna Hallin, Patricia Piccinini, Patrick Jackson, Pinar Yoldas, Public Dreaming, Ragnar Þórisson, Rana Hamadeh, Rolf Nowotny, Serina Erfjord, Sonja Bäumel, Stathis Tsemberlidis, Third Ear, Trollkrem, Tuomas Kortteinen & Heikki Lotvonen, Wael Shawky, and Ylva Westerlund.
Momentum was launched in 1998 with the aim of fostering contemporary art in the Nordic region while promoting its local artists, and is now considered a key contemporary art platform in the area.
The ninth edition of Momentum Nordic Biennial of Contemporary Art will take place in Moss, Norway, from June 17 – October 11, 2017.