The Studio
The Studio: Nevertheless, Faith is in the Air
STOCKHOLM Thursday June 3 at 7-9 pm
19:15 Presentation of the project by Diana Kaur and Padraic E Moore
19:45 Sound screening: The Luminiferous Aether
Seaside entrance only, free of charge. Bar.
A collaboration with CuratorLab/Konstfack
Nevertheless, Faith in the Air is a pamphlet, which assesses seven works of art from the last century from Moderna Museet’s collection in which the presence of a utopian impulse remains tangible.
In investigating these seven artworks the authors of this pamphlet underscore that while art has never been and cannot be a substitute for proscriptive religion, it can be a fountain of meaning and a mode of communication capable of elevating us above the void of a faithless existence.
The art works selected by the authors are the following:
The Swan No 14 (1914-15) by Hilma af Klint
Green Split (1925) by Wassily Kandinsky
Evident (1960) by Josef Albers
Black and White. Suprematist Composition (1915) by Kasimir Malevich
Model for Monument for the 3rd International(1919-20) by Vladimir Tatlin
Space-force Construction (1921) by Lioubov Serguéievna Popova
Composition (1929) by Amedée Ozenfant
One love is still allowed us, that of works of art. Let us, therefore, fling ourselves upon this last plank of salvation. Let us become the mystics of art.
Albert Aurier (1865-1892), Foundations of Modern Art (1890)
If the frenzied period of development extending from the late 1890’s to the late 1960’s was characterised by a optimistic – even blind – faith in super physical powers of art, then it could be argued that, since the late 1960’s, that tendency has – for the most part – been inverted. The result of the process of disenchantment, which began at the end of WWII, has been the nullification and denunciation of much of that which preceeded. Using methods of investigative research to critique and reflect on seven artworks from the Moderna Museet collection, the authors of this publication declare that the constructive is the only life; that to create is a joy; that to build is life’s purpose and man’s function. This publication is a reminder that the latent possibilities of the divine soul are inherent within us, slumbering perhaps, but only waiting to be called into development and expression.
To mark the launch of Nevertheless, Faith is in the Air a performance will take place entitled The Luminiferous Aether. It comprises of documentation made by Robin Watkins of low frequency audio signals, which originate from the streams of charged particles that reach the Earth’s atmosphere through the Solar Wind, giving rise to the Aurora Borealis and other magnetic storms. For this sound screening, listeners will collectively experience the work through individual radio headphones. Limited seating!
Copies of the pamphlet Nevertheless, Faith is in the Air may be obtained free of charge exclusively at the event.
Pamphlet Design: Konst&Teknik, Stockholm
Performance: Robin Watkins, Dublin
Diana Kaur is a freelance curator, editor and producer based in Stockholm
Padraic E Moore is a writer, art historian and curator based in Dublin
Nevertheless, Faith is in the Air is a collaboration between CuratorLab at Konstfack and The Studio at Moderna Museet. The publication is supported by The Studio at Moderna Museet. The Luminiferous Aether is supported by Curatorlab at Konstfack.