Christian Houge
`Untitled 22`-Shadow Within-wolf animal nature b/w
2012

Name: `Untitled 22`-Shadow Within-wolf animal nature b/w
Brand: Christian Houge
Price: 3187.61 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

`Shadow Within` Norway/USA 2010-2013 110 cm. x 150 cm. (47 in. x 59 in.) Edition 3 + 1 a.p. Archival ink cotton paper (archival pigment print) `Shadow Within`explores Man`s relation to the wolf and ultimately, to Himself. In this photo project, i wish to invite the viewer to look at the raw nature and purity which the wolf represents and how this reflects the condition of Man and his own shadows materialized as taboos in our society. I wish to explore deeper into the viewers psyche and their own references to explore what they can learn of their own shadow sides and natural instinct. This being fear, aggression, hierarchy, sexuality and loneliness to name a few. As history clearly shows our primary nature necessarily transgresses cultural limits in ways markedly more bombastic and threatening then the wolfs fluid incorporation of drives. The concept also explores how instinct in Man transgresses culture in many ways. The wolf sparks up myth, and many hidden opportunities lie within us if we dare look beyond that which we are taught, rather than what we feel. Gradually getting to know the individual wolves and their personalities, with an astounding similarity to humans, I was forced to search within my own being and my own shadow sides to make this series be true. In this, I see myself in all of the images and situations shown. A large part of this personal process encompassed changing thresholds within me. As the concept grew I was spending time with different wolfpacks gaining a strong sense of trust, which is the key in the dynamics between Man and allure animals. Security and language courses helped me understand more of the highly complex structure of this misunderstood and stigmatized animal. I needed to let go of all preconceptions and control, as the wolves cannot empowered. This is much of what brings fear into Man and his relation to Nature. We as Humans are compelled to harness, control and systemize Nature to feel dominant and safe. It was not until Man acquired livestock and fences, that the wolf became the ultimate threat. Can this tell us something about a larger picture in our own relation to nature and culture ? The primal instinct within us, which we are born with, is often subdued by culture, but still very much present in our daily lives. Like the wolf, we have strong social structures and base much of our lives upon fear, and body language tends to be emphasized over speech. In the constant stream of information we live in nothing is anymore hidden and unfamiliar, yet the experience of entering the wolfs territory demands an informational condensation unknown to daily thinking, what Einstein praised as the zenith of life, the mysterious. The wolf been mystified by Man since the beginning through fairy tales, folklore and politics. Misperceptions of the wolf from our early childhood has transformed this animal into a a devils beast in our minds. A human has not been reported killed by a wolf in the wild since 1843, yet we are terrified of the gaze, the howl, the flock and the jaws of this revered creature. The relation between nature and culture has played an important role in art throughout the centuries. In `Shadow Within`i wish to explore the idea that both nature and culture are synthezised within us Many of the images become unassailable. The instinct of the viewer will automatically and naturally interpret the situation she or he might interpret when looking at the bodylanguage and eyes of the wolf. Viewers may interpret these situations differently according to their own personal associations.

Creator:

Christian Houge (1972, Norwegian)

Creation Year:

2012

Dimensions:

Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)

More Editions & Sizes:

150 x 100 cm. Edition 3 +1apPrice: $5,496

Medium:

Archival Pigment

Movement & Style:

Contemporary

Period:

2010-

Condition:

Gallery Location:

Oslo, NO

Reference Number:

Seller: www.christianhouge.no1stDibs: LU160029625022

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Christian Houge

Based in Oslo, Norway, I have been making photographs for over twenty years, and new insights continue to open. By obsessively exploring the relation, and conflict, between Nature and culture, I understand Mans` condition and Mans` ego, consumer society, the last remnants of pure Nature and identity. These are all recurring elements in my work. I often like to juxtapose the visually aesthetic with an underlying uneasiness. All of this usually emanates a cognitive dissonance in the viewer to invite deeper truths and personal references. This also gives the work a lot of room for interpretation, and this is where the beautiful dialog starts between the work and the viewer, but also amongst the viewers themselves. In my work, I wish to ask new questions to the increasing challenges we face environmentally and see how it all relates.Art is often made to invite us to see ourselves from new angles, understanding our surroundings and each other. I find `humanizing` nature is a good way of conveying my work to invite the audience to see themselves in a bigger picture. Looking at our actions and place in the environment, which we are so dependent upon, is a recurring theme in my exploration. My work ranges from panoramic analog cameras to state of the art digital cameras to large format for specific projects. All the work is made with pigment on cotton paper producing the best quality. I have exhibited extensively in galleries and museums in my native country Norway and the US, England, France, and China. `Residence of Impermanence` has been exhibited at five museums and several galleries already (including a big solo show at Fotografiska, Stockholm (2019), and Arles Fotofestival (2019). Work from `Residence of Impermanence' is currently exhibited at the UCR: California Museum of Photography in Los Angeles with the exhibition `Facing Fire,` Art, Wildfire and The End of Nature in the New West.` My previous environmental work has been nominated for the Prix Pictet Award on several occasions with my previous series for both Earth, Power and Fire themes. In 2005, my series `Arctic Technology` was shortlisted for the BMW Prize at Paris photo (through Scout Gallery, London). I have sold work from the series `Arctic Technology`at Sothebys` in London as well as Cornette det Syr in Paris. My other series has been shown in museums, including a symposium at Johnson Museum, N.Y. and been part of travelling exhibitions with WHATCOM (Museum of Washington) with the exhibition `Vanishing Ice`. China tour on environmental issues with Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Beijing 2009. Publications include `Altered Landscape` (Nevada Museum of Art) including purchased work for their collection at Center for Art and Environment. My extensive research and photographic work on melting glaciers and the consequences of climate change, `Death of a Mountain`, exhibited April-June 2021 at Buer Gallery, Oslo. This series has also been nominated for the Leica Oscar Barnack Award and received the annual arts grant from the Norwegian Government.