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Isaac Julien -Western Union: small boats

Isaac Julien -Western Union: small boats

When

Closed on 27. May. 2018

Closed on 27. May. 2018

The renowned British director and film artist Isaac Julien is the first artist to be showcased in the new exhibition series for the Focus-gallery. In 2018, we move our focus away from the North, as we broaden our horizons and widen our senses. In the series, called Intermezzo, the perception and understanding of the artwork are channeled through other senses than just the visual, as the artists' work reflects embracive, sentient inclusivity.

★★★★★ - Århus Stiftstidende
★★★★ - Jyllands-Posten
★★★★ - Nordjyske

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Enclosed in a totally blue room, Isaac Julien (b. 1960) presents his three-screen installation piece Western Union: small boats from 2007. The art piece, which has been awarded several prices, depicts the recent European refugee crisis, with a focus on Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, known for receiving refugees. At the same time, the island is a popular tourist attraction due to its beautiful scenery. Even though the piece was created ten years ago, this issue is still as pressing as it was in 2007.

The images retain a seducing enchantment and beauty, which captivates the viewer. It takes a little while before one notices the historical consciousness, the documentarian qualities, and the political edge also present in his video pieces.

1 / 5 Installationsfoto, Isaac Julien, Western Union - small boats, 2007, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Courtesy Victoria Miro Gallery and the artist. Foto: Maja Theodoraki.

Awards and catalogue

Isaac Julien has received numerous awards. In February 2018, Julien was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), which is one of the most prestigious, British awards. In 2001, he was short-listed for the Turner Prize, and in 2017, he received the Charles Wollaston Award from the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

A catalogue will be published for the exhibition, featuring an introductory text by Lise Pennington, senior curator at ARoS, and a peer-reviewed text by Anne Ring Petersen, associate professor at the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies at the University of Copenhagen.

The catalogue costs DKKR 79 and can be purchased here.

The exhibition is organized by senior curator at ARoS, Lise Pennington.

Thanks to

Ege

Nordea Fonden

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