The Emotional Biennale

Since its inception in 1998, Momentum – The Nordic Biennale of Contemporary Art has strived to present compelling works of art and outstanding artistic ventures in a Nordic context. The biennale has since become established as one of the most exciting platforms for contemporary art in the Nordic region and has taken important curatorial approaches that define the present moment in Nordic countries. Being one of the oldest Nordic biennials, Momentum is celebrating its 10th edition this year with a programme presenting 29 international artists. Momentum10 – The Emotional Exhibition will then present iconic works from previous editions of the biennale as well as relevant new positions. Having worked with the likes of Daniel Birnbaum and Olafur Eliasson, the biennale also gives space for continuous discussion on the notion of the 'Nordic'.

A biennial to go back to emotion, a version of Momentum shows us the need to stop and feel, to redefine the possibility of feeling. We must go beyond language, beyond comprehension to understand that it will be with emotions—and the physicality connected to emotions—that we will embrace the complexity within us. It is not easy to feel; it is not easy to maintain a connection with the world at an emotional level. It is not easy to accept that man is characterised by love, fear, desire, panic, happiness and sadness altogether. In a technological world based on logical constructions, to return to emotions can show us the way out of the linguistic approach, formalising an attempt to deal with sincerity, accepting who we are and all the contradictions that define us.

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The nine previous editions of Momentum contain important examples of complexity, expectations, desires and contradictions including things to remember and moments of rediscovery. The concept and ideas behind The Emotional Exhibition work with formats, definitions, identities and emotions. This derives from the need to reformulate how to act and what to do. This edition will deal with how to share something with others and how to build something using a kind of non-vocabulary, a non-vocabulary that is common to all, and found in the complexity of emotions.

Curated by Marti Manen along with assistant curator Anne Klontz, the biennale will present works by the following artists: André Alves (PT), Anne de Vries (NL), Annika Larsson (SE), Christodoulos Panayiotou (CY), Eija-Liisa Ahtila (FI), Eirik Senje (NO), Erik Öberg (SE), Fanny Ollas (SE), Francesc Ruiz (ES), Gabriel Lester (NL), Hannaleena Heiska (FI), Ilkka Halso (FI), Ina Hagen (NO), Johanna Billing (SE), Julieta Aranda (MX), Keren Cytter (IL), Knut Åsdam (NO), Olafur Eliasson (DK), Pauline Curnier Jardin (FR), Pauline Fondevila (FR), Pepo Salazar (ES), Ragnar Kjartansson (IS), Regina de Miguel (ES), Rosalind Nashashibi (UK), Salla Tykkä (FI), Saskia Holmkvist (SE), Sissel Tolaas (NO), Stine Marie Jacobsen (DK), Åsa Cederqvist (SE).

Momentum10 will begin from June 8, 2019 and will continue till October 9, 2019. It is organised under the administration of Punkt Ø AS – Østfold County Galleries in Norway.