Every time an art history exhibition is put together, a constructed narrative that is in perpetual transformation is consolidated or adjusted. What is chosen and highlighted, and in what order are things placed? Precisely this work of building (art) stories is the theme of the Munch Museum’s new exhibition «Pieces». At least that’s what they write in the press material. An extraordinary collection And there is no doubt that the exhibition has many art historical highlights to offer. The starting point is the extensive collection of the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB. “Pieces” range unusually wide. Here we can walk from our own beloved Nikolai Astrup, via German expressionism and American street photography, to the iconic pop art king Andy Warhol – to name just a few. HORROR-POP: The exhibition also shows Andy Warhol’s colored silkscreen prints based on some of Munch’s most emblematic motifs. Not only did he create silkscreen prints of great celebrities, but he also created his own versions of art celebrities such as Munch’s Madonna and Scream. “Scream” (after Munch), 1983. Photo: Michal Tomaszewicz / Haugar Art Museum The Sparebankstiftelsen is a slightly different type of art collection. It is not a foundation or person who gathers for his own part; it is simply created to be made available to Norwegian museums. Therefore, the collection is also composed of pieces that are believed to be missing in the museums’ large art-historical puzzles. The exhibition at Munch will highlight the breadth and diversity of this extensive art collection. A gratifying discovery The first thing that meets us is Nikolai Astrup’s colorful, naive-naturalistic depictions of the beautiful Jølster landscape. Time and time again he painted the view from his own farm with apple trees, fields, meadows. The mighty mountain with its ridges of eternal snow in the background. “Soleienatt”, which is included in the exhibition, is among his best pictures: PAINTED TO SHARE: Astrup was the first artist to be bought by the Sparebankstiftelsen. An extensive collection of his works was deposited with KODE in Bergen in return for their commitment to show parts of the collection at all times. Astrup has a unique power of expression and a lush and evocative power. “Soleienatt” by Nikolai Astrup (ca. 1916). Photo: Dag Fosse / ARTIST: Nikolai Astrup After the evocative Sunnfjord nature, the exhibition here makes a surprising stylistic, and as far as geographical, leap to the expressive and colorful German expressionism. Although I feel a little disoriented, I am very happy to find, among others, Emil Nolde in this department. Expressionism, which Munch regards as his great father figure, was part of the powerful revolt of the time with the picturesque academy tradition. It represents a further development of the romantic project where ideals were that the painting, instead of reflecting reality, should reflect the artist’s temperament. The painting was to be an eruptive, intense and genuine emotional expression. Nolde is known for his colorful, sometimes directly luminous, paintings. EXPRESSION: Emil Nolde’s paintings give the experience of dark, destructive undercurrents that are about to burst to the surface. «Night Café», 1910. Photo: Børre Høstland / Artist: Nolde Emil Beauty and question marks As I walk from one room to another, the excitement increases in proportion to the confusion. There is so much good here, but the connection is difficult to grasp. From the dawning modernist project in painting, we are suddenly in a department with American street photography. I stop at towering figures like Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Richard Avedon and Diane Arbus. Undoubtedly interesting photographers, but what exactly is the connection to everything else that is shown? And in what way does the exhibition as a whole present the interesting issues that, according to the press release, form the starting point? EYE FOR DIFFERENCE: Diane Arbus was concerned with what stood out. She was looking for all kinds of human flaws and deviations. As a photographer, she had an ability to make even the most ordinary look funny and strange. “Teenage Couple on Hudson Street, NYC” (1963) on the left, “Woman with White Gloves” (1963-64) on the right. Photo: Diane Arbus / Sparebankstiftelsen DNB Maybe the idea is that I should be confused? Maybe you want to place the “pieces” in new order, tell the stories in a different way? But I do not really think the exhibition succeeds with this either. After all, this presentation is not that different. It is the same artists who figure together under the same “isms”, albeit perhaps in a slightly different order. The exhibition idea itself is very interesting, it is a pity that it is not better anchored in the exhibition itself. But if you disregard themes and just indulge in all the magnificent art on display, this is of course an exhibition that is definitely worth a visit! news reviewer Photo: Munchmuseet Title: «Pieces» Where: Munchmuseet, Oslo Curator: Oda Wildhagen Gjessing Art by among others: Nikolai Astrup, Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Pechstein, Emil Nolde, Gabriele Münter, Man Ray, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Hepworth, Irma Salo Jæger, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, Weegee, Dorothea Lange, Lars Hertervig, Carl Larsson, Peder Balke, Harriet Backer and Claude Monet. Date: June 25 – August 28, 2022
ttn-69
“Pieces” at the Munch Museum – Reviews and recommendations
