Kin 

 A search for connections of life

  in a fluid movement of time

Through installations, photography, video, sound, and poetry, the exhibition ‘Kin’, focuses on the interaction between species - human and more-than-human in a deep time and holistic perspective. It opens up for reflection and contemplation, both on the human impact on nature and on the value and necessity of seeing ourselves as linked and connected to nature and other species.

The exhibition moves through a visual and linguistic journey, from an investigative and poetic interplay and counterplay with scientific methods and knowledge, to a deeper and more philosophical and sensory approach to time and the relationship between all living things.

The exhibition's relation to science is shown through artistically interpreted biocrystalline images of cyanobacteria, lichen, moss, nettle, cod and humans. The images have been created using the scientific biocrystallisation technique, where organic liquids from the different species are added to a solution of copper chloride (which is toxic to living organisms). This creates crystalline images that show the vitality and power of the different liquids - and thus the different species - to form individual forms in the ‘fight’ against the copper chloride. At the same time, the same species are shown photographically in their physical expression, followed by a poetic narrative about their evolutionary history.

A large installation with old laboratory glassware and flasks filled with green algae in a landscape of moss and sprouting seeds opens up for reflection on science's simultaneously dissecting and enlightening understanding of the more than human around us.

In the more philosophical and sensuous part of the exhibition, large photographic works interact with handwritten poems on long strips of lightly moving rice paper that unfold around themes of time, separation and connection, inviting you to move slowly through the exhibition space.

In the final stage of the exhibition's journey, you enter a space of beautiful slow and sensuous video installations of the movements of nature. The muted flowing soundtrack and the slowly changing movements and light encourage you to let go of your thoughts, float along and immerse yourself in sensory impressions and perhaps sense memories of being part of the life around us.

A selection of poems and images, along with other texts, can be found in the book ‘Forbindelser’, which was published in connection with the exhibition.

Artistic research and interpretation: Isop (Line & Sissel Thastum)

Curation and production: Isop (Line & Sissel Thastum)

AV organisation, assistant curation and production: Yasmin Balai

Thanks to: Zanda Janovska and Kunstpakhuset, as well as the Danish Arts Foundation, Ege Fonden, Midtjysk- Skole og Kulturfond, Den Jyske Sparekasses Støttefond, Spar Nord Fonden, Ikast - Brande Kommune, Oda og Hans Svenningsens Fond, I.F. Lemvigh Müllers Fond - for support for the exhibition