Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Marianne Nielsen.


Marianne Nielsen is a ceramist from Copenhagen, Denmark.
I was/am intrigued by her take on such an everyday utilitarian object that is "the vase". I can just imagine how wonderful they would look set-up on a long side table or the like.


About my work:
 
I address the cultural use of Nature as the traditionally agreed-upon “topic of beauty” and model ornament. I am interested in the contrast between the world of motifs and the approach to production – Nature’s chaos subordinated to man’s interpretation and the order it imposes. A formal study of the way in which Nature’s seemingly random structures can be organised in a simplified system and thus reduced to
 pure symbolism.
 
2007, glazed stoneware, length: app. 35 cm.

The “tree vases” take their starting point from the model of a tree, as we know it from model railways and architectural models. 
The model is interesting because it so directly is an imitation, it is representing. In this way, p
aradoxically, it becomes “it self”.
There is a conventional kind of style for the design of models, just as fixed as the vases, like an ikon (my trees are also vases if they are turned upside down…).
I want the trees/ vases to challenge the identity of the objects.

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The “hair” is objects to hang on the wall. It is 
different variations on hairdos or fur.
The design I used, is like the one known from classic statues and refers to the design and aesthetic tradition in my culture. Also a way of picturing how a size that really can not be reprod
uced, is described in a symbolic way.
The hair is also about the cultivation of the nature in our design tradition. The fur as a trophy. The hair which is “civilised” by the hairdo.

2008, glazed stoneware, length: app. 38 cm.

1 comment:

Sophie Moran said...

I really like the second 'hair piece' (for want of a better term)and her statement about it. It's lifelike but almost cartoony at the same time - nature to design.

The tree vases remind me of Irianna Kanellopoulou's work. Especially in the exploring of model as imitation/representation.

Great post Andrew.