Maping the nett
Galleri F 15
2008
This is the second exhibition in a series of four about networking & humanity. What type of animal has the human being become now that networking is such an important part of building a career, a social life and a place in modern society? Tove Kommedal wants the meaning of her installations to be clear for her audience, there are no obscurities in her art – what you see is what you get.
A headless, sexless figure crouches in a room upon a chessboard, frozen in pose yet seemingly balanced with the potential for movement. The figure is bound in rope with overtones of erotic playfulness or paralyzing bondage. A cord from the front penetrates the figure’s heart, this then explodes into many cords out the back – much like a bullet that shatters the body’s murky contents. Yet these cords are not chaotic, rather the patterns and shadows that they construct have a geometric aesthetic beauty.
But, why a chessboard? Kommedal’s previous show at Hå Gamle Prestegaard used the Ludo board and a rolling dice video to represent the game of life and the effect of random chance upon individual progress. At Galleri F15 various organic forms, and a single player, are now placed in the more academic arena of chess:
During a chess competition a chess master should be a combination of a beast of prey and a monk. Alexander Alekhine
As in chess; so in life. During our progress through life, when socializing and career building, we are confronted with many strategic choices. These can help or hinder us when trying for the next job, the next grant, or, the next lover. Cynicism has become increasingly a part of “the game”, and an aggressive attitude, demanding much elbowroom, reveals the beast of prey in many a quiet and reserved individual.
Tove Kommedal begins with a very clear picture of what she wants to say, the scenography and the artistic content develops according to practical problem solving in the studio, and, the aesthetics of the exhibition location: these are essentially site specific room installations. At Galleri F15 there is a total honesty regarding the built scene; artificial walls are constructed, painted and pierced. The artificial reality of the white chequered cube is revealed.
Each object is built from scratch in the studio. Balloons and yogurt pots are covered with plaster, skeletal strips of metal covered by netting then papier-mâché. This artist fixes everything as she goes long, Kommedal has a refreshing problem solving mentality, thus she simply rolls up her sleeves and builds until the sculptures are primed and painted.
I failed to make the chess team because of my height. Woody Allen
Tove Kommedal does not play games herself; she hates the element of chance. Rather these one-woman shows are arenas where nothing is left to chance. The artist controls everything and wishes to present an aesthetic gathering of loaded symbols for the audience to enjoy and ruminate upon, before continuing their own life-game outside the art gallery.
Martin Worts, Rogaland Kunstsenter feb.2008
