"Kjell Bjørgeengen / Marc Ribot , Djos Janssens"
2004-04-24 until 2004-05-24
ccnoa
Brussels, , BE Belgium

CCNOA is pleased to present solo exhibitions by the Norwegian visual artist and sculptor Kjell Bjørgeengen (*1951, N) and Djos Janssens (*1964, B). In the two main CCNOA galleries, Bjørgeengen will present a large-scale audio-visual installtion with multiple projections of abstract imagery and music by American composer/ soulmusician Marc Ribot (*1954,USA), with whom he has been collaborating on two other projects True Blanking (1997) and Get my Drift … time is a bitch (2002). Janssens will execute a site-specific installation (3-dimensional painting with sound), entitled Somewhere, in the CCNOA project room.

A visual artist whose work was grounded primarily in figurative and semi-abstract painting and graphics Djos Janssens has now moved into the three-dimensional realm creating mainly site-specific installations, spatial interventions, and environmental design in commercial galleries, art organizations as well as public and semi-public environments. Drawing on all the connotations of the space in which he is working - geographical, historical, philosophical and metaphorical - he creates ‘atmosphere’ works that trigger a response from several senses simultaneously - sight, hearing, and touch - thanks to a skilful use of color, sound and texture. Janssens’ work can be appreciated at various levels. There is the immediate visual, three-dimensional impact. Janssens’ works are characterized by a clear vocabulary: visual: use of vivid colors, often primary, and of mirror effects playing on light to create the desired atmosphere; sound: use of pre-recorded soundtracks to accentuate this atmosphere; verbal: use of texts or single words to engage the viewer; use of lettering, often positive / negative, also as a means of contributing to the atmosphere and playing on perception. However, there is - always - a sub-text, a slight twist, a sideswipe at conformism, a throwing off-balance - both physical and mental. It is up to the viewer to decide whether to immerse in the sub-text, whether or not to participate in the scenario.

IMAGE
Kjell Bjorgeengen
True Blanking >

Most of Kjell Bjorgeengens works deal with a combination of representation, the artists’ subject, and the letting go of subjective control by automated processing from sound. Video is structured through what could be called postCageian methods of productions; to retain the artist’s subject of expression and at the same time undermine this subjectivity through the structuring of images from automated processes of sound and music mediated through technology. This technology is in itself often modified in cooperation with hardware and software designers. The installations and video works are based on  non-representative references. The  pursuit is  not to accept the given,-  be it perceptual  prejudices imbedded in language or the dominant economic/political structure. Kjell Bjorgeengens idealistic pursuit of purity and blankness through an amalgamation of sound waves, moving images and lights is like receiving transmissions from the other side. Grainy, ghostly images constantly vibrate and peel off, to reveal hidden forms that build up then disintegrate. Like thousands of abstract and calligraphic messages they are undecipherable. Stimulation of senses arouses inner reaction, as visual and acoustic syntheses attempt to reach the unattainable level of nothingness. Bjorgeengens colliding visions and sounds are metaphoric of shifting voids in parallel worlds. (‘Paradise Regained’ by Apinan Poshyananda). Bjorgeengens work  has been exhibited around the globe since 1971. His artistic practice includes photography, video, installation art, and sculpture. Bjorgeengen has also been an Artist in Residence at The Experimental Television Center, Newark Valley, NY since 1982, and is currently a resident of the ISCP, New York.

A visual artist whose work was grounded primarily in figurative and semi-abstract painting and graphics Djos Janssens has now moved into the three-dimensional realm creating mainly site-specific installations, spatial interventions, and environmental design in commercial galleries, art organizations as well as public and semi-public environments. Drawing on all the connotations of the space in which he is working - geographical, historical, philosophical and metaphorical - he creates ‘atmosphere’ works that trigger a response from several senses simultaneously - sight, hearing, and touch - thanks to a skilful use of color, sound and texture. Janssens’ work can be appreciated at various levels. There is the immediate visual, three-dimensional impact. Janssens’ works are characterized by a clear vocabulary: visual: use of vivid colors, often primary, and of mirror effects playing on light to create the desired atmosphere; sound: use of pre-recorded soundtracks to accentuate this atmosphere; verbal: use of texts or single words to engage the viewer; use of lettering, often positive / negative, also as a means of contributing to the atmosphere and playing on perception. However, there is - always - a sub-text, a slight twist, a sideswipe at conformism, a throwing off-balance - both physical and mental. It is up to the viewer to decide whether to immerse in the sub-text, whether or not to participate in the scenario.

IMAGE
Kjell Bjorgeengen
True Blanking

Related Links:

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