Isolation | Communication – An exhibition with art and poetry

In a densely populated world, the concept of isolation has suddenly become central. In Sweden we are encouraged to keep social distance, in other countries it is not allowed to gather in groups larger than two people. Without any habit of living in isolation, we must change our mind to keep ourselves within our own walls as much as possible and try to make life work anyway.

        But within a certian occupation professionals are experienced in working in self-chosen isolation – namely the independent artists, often accused of living in their own bubble or an ivory tower, but are precisely because of their artistic practice more focused on communicating with the outside world than most of people.

         How will artistic practices change in the pandemic existence? What past experiences and strategies do the artists have to convey? Can the knowledge of how a situation is interpreted artistically and how that interpretation is conveyed to an audience prove socially significant in a way that has not been previously noticed?

         It could be practical things like how to work from home most effectively, or about complicated psychological problems like how to motivate one’s activities or avoid the frustration of loneliness. It is about new experiences and centuries of stored experience. Not least, it is about communication through art, about art as both an aesthetically, socially and politically relevant tool to explore and interpret the world today.

         The philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz imagined human beings as monads: beings completely closed within themselves, unable to convey their experience of reality; a globe floating in an empty space. But he modified this darksome view of existence and came to imagine monads with windows, openings to the outside world and other beings: monads with the possibility of communication.

        We can handle isolation. But a state without communication is devastating.

Instructions for artists:
Active artists (including art students at BA and MA level) apply with a clear and representative image of a work they want to include in the exhibition. The piece you are applying with can measure a maximum of 50 cm in height. Two-dimensional works (paintings, drawings, prints, photos, etc.) will be placed on the floor. Your work can be a maximum of 200 x 200 cm width and length, preferably smaller. The works should not be electronic (video, audio or lighting etc) and not require complicated installation. Your work can not take the form of performance or anything that requires the presence of the artist. The submitted picture must follow the applicant’s name and information about the title, dimensions and materials of the work. The exhibition will take place in the main hall at Färgfabriken, with existing and natural light from the windows.

Instructions for poets:
Poets apply with a text of a maximum of one A4. The texts are placed by the respective poets on the two white walls existing in the main hall. The walls are large, but not all text will be able to hang at eye level. Think graphically! Also see the text as a visual object, preferably use color printers, hand illustrations, etc. The texts should not be placed within glass and frame but directly on the wall with double-sided adhesive tape or equivalent. The author’s name must be clearly stated.

Application and admission:
Artworks and texts for Isolation | Communication will be selected by the curator group on the basis of the works’ relevance to and function within the whole of the exhibition and the exhibition concept, see the concept text below.
Admitted artists and poets may come and leave or place their works in a way that follows the restrictions for Covid-19 according to the Swedish Public Health Authority, during the last two weekends in May, May 23-24 and May 30-31. More information will be sent out. Anyone who cannot come by themselves may send a personal representative. 

Your application must be submitted before May 15, by email to muskot2020@gmail.com.
The exhibitions will be shown in a way that follows the directives of the Public Health Authority.

ARTISTS
Alex Valijani
Alexandra Larsson Jacobson
André Nordström
Andreas Ribbung
Anja Olofgörs
Anna Nyberg
Anna-Kajsa Wikström
Arne Widman
Carl-Oscar Karlsson
Cecilia Hultman
Charlotte Åberg/Florence Montmare
Christina Olivecrona
Christofer Wallentin
Cissi Efraimsson 
Daniela Hedman
Derin Gençer
Elise Mattisson Chue
Elle van Uden
Elsa Blomberg
Emille de Blanche
Filippa Barkman
Giulia Cairone
Gunilla Wiel-Svensson
Hanna Romin
Henning Rehnström
Henrik Ekesiöö
Håkan Bring 
Ingrid Klintskog
Jakob Ojanen
Jan Marius Kiøsterud
Jenny Carlsson Grip
Jinhee Kang
Johan Lindström
Johan Willner/Peo Olsson
John Willgren
Jonas Vansteenkiste
Josefin Bergman
Kaisa Luukkonen
Kajsa Lindberg/Annika Bergström
Kevin Pihlblad Bogle
Leif Palmquist
Lena Flodman
Leonela Lilja
Lisa Manner
Lotta Döbling
Lovisa Ivenholt 
Lucia Flores
Lukas Göthman
Malin Arnedotter Bengtsson
Mari Kretz
Maria Bernholm
Maria Koolen Hellmin
Maria Lundberg
Marie Holmgren
Martin Ålund
Mattias Bäcklin
Mikaela Steby Stenfalk
Monica Höll 
Nicole Newsha Khadivi
Olivia Pettersson Fleur
Olle Borg
Oscar Furbacken
Oskar Hult
Peter Kinny
Petter Kreuger
Rebecca Farrensteiner
Rebecka Bebben Andersson
Richard G. Carlsson
Sanna Albenius
Sofia Zwahlen
Stina Persson
Sylvia Naimark
Thierry Mortier 
Thomas Carlsson
Tilda Lovell
Timo Menke
Tina Eskilsson
Torbjörn Johansson
Åsa Andersson

POETS
Annalena Sandgren
Arvid Kraft
Carolina Thorell
Clara Diesen
Elin Bengtsson
Fanny Wallertz
Hannah Abrahamsson
Hannah Alexandersson
Johanna Ekström
Johanna Stillman
Johanna Tengblad
John Swedenmark
Jonas Ellerström
Lars-Håkan Svensson
Linnea Swedenmark
Maria Yvell
Mariam Naraghi
Mikael Rudesjö
Mona Hellsing Troili
Nils Gunnar Zander
Oscar Rossi
Pamela Jaskoviak
Petra Mölstad
Runa Halleraker
Sara Berg
Simon Skuteli
Sofia Stenström
Sonia Sagan
Ulrika Revenäs Strollo
Viktor Andersson