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Christian Houge
Zebra, Oslo- `Residence of Impermanence`-animal zebra fire nature wallpaper

2018

About the Item

`Zebra`, Oslo, 2018 Edition 6 of 7 `Residence of Impermanence` 2017-2019 My performance series, `Residence of Impermanence`, explores our relationship to animals, fire and Nature. Through the element of fire, I have found a way to express myself in totemic ritualistic performance by burning decaying trophy animals. The element of fire is very symbolic. It represents both destruction and creation. Animals and fire have, in many ways, formed our culture since the dawn of Mankind. They have also served as essential symbols in myth, spirituality, art and religion. Fire has protected us and given us hope. Given us a means to evolve in all culture. In Greek mythology, remember Prometheus. In the hand of Man, fire can be anything. It is our ethics that define it. We have always mirrored ourselves in Nature. What we see staring back at us may not be the image we were hoping for. This series is a reminder to where we have come regarding our relation to Nature and the huge effects of climatechange in the Anthropocene. My work often juxtaposes the visually aesthetic and uneasiness. An underlying feeling of that which is lost often plays an important role. I like to explore work themes that emanate a cognitive dissonance in the viewer to reveal more profound truths. I regard trophy animals as symbols of Man´s vanity and presumed victory over Nature. To me, they also serve as symbols of our general attitude towards Nature. The flames gives each animal a last breath of life as it creates a new portrait. The animal is set free again, ending a symbolic circle of life. A closure if you will, both physically and existentially. The English-inspired wallpapers represent imperialism and a colonial idea from a time when we were obsessed by conquering Nature and other lands. These too are burned with the animals symbolizing a protest toward our autocracy towards Nature itself. The repetitive performance of burning each animal serves as both an offering and a liberation. This is a violent act, but also a meaningful and beautiful act to me. The animals` personality changes dramatically throughout the burning process. This cannot be planned and therefore the animals give off a sense of further individuality. In the process of burning animals, I am also taking an object of desire off the market for further sales. An act that hopefully will spark dialog our use of Nature, as well as where we want to be heading in the near future. Dialog foments change and action. I spent seven years collecting old trophy animals and taxidermy of different sorts. Many were bought through auctions, while others were given to me by hunters` or the widows of hunters for this specific project. During the following three years, I went through a somewhat cathartic process of burning and obsessively exploring the symbolism of fire and our relation to animals with my performance. The intention with my series is to connect the public to the crucial matters at hand through something tangible, personal, and symbolic. These three years of working with this series has made me so much more conscious of how delicate nature is and how we have taken it for granted for too long. A reminder of how crucial both animals, fire and nature, for our so-called progress in survival and progress. Through this process, exploring new questions and inviting a larger audience to ask their own crucial questions in the massive global changes we all are witnessing, is what I strive for. Loss of animal diversity, poaching and massive forest fires are increasing so rapidly that Nature itself is at a major turning point. A call for action is needed. Working so close to the animals in my project has been as uplifting as it has been obsessive and heartbreaking, as the animal's eye connects with you on a personal level as a human does in non-verbal communication. In 2016, the government in Kenya burned poached ivory worth an estimated 130 million dollars, making a clear statement that these tusks should only belong to a living animal. This dramatic action created meaningful dialog around the world beyond news and statistics. Fires are destroying critical areas of much-needed land vegetation, thus creating considerable effects on climate change. The meeting between Nature`s fragility and Mans` ego has shown that forests disappear, glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising and species become extinct. Humans have too easily exploited all parts of nature with our own culture and growth. In this short process, we have lost the very essence of what we are a part, and thus forget the very nature in ourselves. What can photography do to create questions regarding climate change, and help us move towards a sustainable future? In photography, we can ask important questions about changes in our surroundings and who we are—Man’s condition. Background: `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.` This exhibition explores the ever-worsening Californian forest fires due to climate change. 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). 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` and a China tour on environmental issues with Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Beijing. 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 Barnak Award and received the annual arts grant from the Norwegian Government. Christian Houge (born in Oslo 1972) - Curriculum Vitae 2021 `Death of a Mountain` / `Ìn;Human Nature`, Buer Gallery, Oslo, solo Residence of Impermanence`, Berger Museum, Norway, Solo 2020 `Facing Fire`, Collaborative, California Museum of Photography 2019 `Metafysica`, (`Residence of Impermanence`),collaborative, Haugar Kunstmuseum, Vestfold `Residence of Impermanence`, Fotografiska Museum, Stockholm. Solo `Helt Dyrisk` (`Residence of Impermanence`,), collaborative, Preus Museum, Horten `Residence of Impermanence`, Galleri Fineart, Oslo. Solo 2017 `Shadow Within/Rituals` Gulden Kunstverk, Drammen. Solo Commission, MAAEMO restaurant. `In;Human Nature` `Mirror,Mirror` Hosfelt Gallery, San.Fran. Collaborative w/Ed Ruscha, Adam Fuss, Liliana Porter 2016 `InHuman Nature`, TM51 Gallery, Oslo. Solo Fotofever/ParisPhoto, Louvre, Paris Cornette de Saint Cyr, Auction, Paris 2015 Three Shadows Photography Art Center, Beijing, China. `Paradise Lost` . `Arctic Technology/Barentsburg`/ Shadow Within. Solo Fotofever (ParisPhoto), Artistics Art Gallery, Paris. Collaborative How Art Museum, Wenzhou, China. `Paradise Lost` Arctic Technology/Barentsburg/Shadow Within. Solo Redtory, Guangzhou, China. `Paradise Lost` Arctic Technology/Barentsburg/Shadow Within. Solo 2014 Fineart Gallery, Oslo `Shadow Within` 2010-2013 / `Darkness Burns Bright` 2013/2014. Solo Beyond Earth Art • (contemporary artists and the environment) Johnson Museum of Art, New York. Shadow Within. Collaborative (incl. Olafur Eliasson, Edward Burtynsky, Mathew Brandt, Yun-Fei Ji amongst others) The El Paso Museum of Art, Texas. `Arctic Technology`. Collaborative Glenbow Museum, Alberta. `Arctic Technology`. Collaborative LIFF (Lofoten International Photofestival) `Shadow Within` w/speaking. Solo 2013 Nominated for the Prix Pictet Award/ `Shadow Within`. Hosfelt Gallery, San.Fran. USA. `Shadow Within`. Solo Accompanied by Call of the Wild`( Joseph Beuys, Ed Ruscha, Patricia Piccinini and Alan Rath) Carnegie, Oslo, Arctic Technology` series. Commission. `Vanishing Ice` Tour, USA/Canada, Whatcom Museum 2013-2015. Publication `Vanishing Ice`, Alpine and Polar Landscapes in Art, 1775-2012 Author: Barbara Matilsky. Altered Landscapes: Photographs of a changing environment (Impact of human activity on natural landscapes) by Ann M. Wolfe. Rizzoli Publications. 2012 Vanishing Ice, Whatcom (Museum of Washington), USA, 2012. `Arctic Technology`. Collaborative Public speaking, Ambassadors residence, London. `Shadow Within`. 2010 Akershus Kunstsenter, Oslo. `Arctic Technology`. Collaborative `In full color`, Hosfelt Gallery, New York. Arctic Technology/ Barentsburg. Collaborative 2009 Nominated for the Prix Pictet Award with the series `Barentsburg`. Hosfelt Gallery, San. Fran, `Arctic technology/Barentsburg`. Solo AntArctica, Haugar Kunstmuseum. Collaberative `The coldest winter`, Hosfelt Gallery, San. Fran. Collaborative 2008 `Arctic technology` Hosfelt Gallery, New York, USA, Solo Gardemoen Airport,10-year Anniversary Oslo. Public(Arctic Technology) Oslo Sentral Station/Rom for Kunst, Oslo. Public (Arctic Technology) 2007 ArtBasel/Scout Gallery,London, Miami. Collaborative PhotoLondon Fair, Zebra Gallery London. Collaborative Annual Grants exhibition Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo. Collaborative Annual grants exhibition Fotogalleriet, Oslo. Collaborative Defence Ministry H.Q. Oslo. Commission(Arctic Technology) 2006 Sotheby's London. Collaborative auction Zebra One, London. Collaberative Annual Grants exhibition, Oslo. Collaborative Defence Ministry H.Q. `Arctic Technology. Oslo. Commission 2005 Scout Gallery, London. `Arctic Technology`, Solo BMW Awards, Paris Photo. `Arctic Technology`. Collaborative Paris Photo, Louvre, Paris, Scout Gallery (London). Collaborative Arctic Technology/ Barentsburg PhotoLondon Fair (Scout Gallery, London). Collaborative 2003 Annual grants exhibition, Kunstnerenes Hus, Oslo. Collaborative Økokrim, Oslo, Commission. Public Eiendommspar, Oslo. Commission. Public 2002 Autumn grants exhibition, Kunstnernes hus, Oslo. Collaborative
  • Creator:
    Christian Houge (1972, Norwegian)
  • Creation Year:
    2018
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    120 cm. x 170 cm. Price: $1,302
  • Medium:
    Digital Pigment
  • Period:
    2010-
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Oslo, NO
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU160028657942
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