Cosmism
October 30, 2018–January 13, 2019
In the exhibition Cosmism, three poetic films by Anton Vidokle play on nineteenth-century Orthodox Christian philosopher Nikolai Fyodorov’s (1829–1903) connected ideas of universal resurrection, capitalist and socialist cosmic expansion, flows of energy, and contemporary transhumanist theories. Together with Arseny Zhilyaev’s new sculpture, which takes a more fictional approach to Cosmism, the works weave together lives of post-Soviet citizens and the futurological projects of Russian cosmism in order to emphasize that early Soviet breakthroughs aimed at the conquest of outer space—not so much in terms of technical acceleration, but rather through the common cause of humankind’s struggle against the limitations of earthly life. As an eccentric—wildly imaginative—theory of universal emancipation translated into eternal life for all human beings, cosmism simply proposes that death is a mistake and should be overcome. Architects Nikolaus Hirsch and Michel Müller have designed the exhibition space.
In the reception gallery, the result of this autumn’s collaboration between Bernd Krauss and students from Elinsborgsskolan, an elementary school in Tensta, is displayed. The title of the exhibition, Crime of the Week: Housing Piffle with Leif PG Tensta, takes off from the school building’s architectural history since the 1960s— which is tightly intertwined with the history of Tensta—and archival material relating to the neighborhood from ArkDes. This retrospective work is presented through the eyes of a crime detective in order to give viewers more in-depth access to the process. And who could be better suited for this role than Sweden’s most famous TV detective? As part of Tensta Museum’s branch at ArkDes. The winter department of the Tensta Museum branch will be on view at ArkDes until January 13.
At the same time, the exhibition Art and Shops is on view at the Tensta shopping mall. The artworks shown in the shops feature everything from fairytales behind the meat counter, fantastical sea animal water colors at the tailor’s, and wall paintings using ancient aboriginal mouth painting techniques at the barber’s. In this project, art moves onto the shelves, shop counters, and into the windows of primarily small, local businesses. Among the invited artists are Annika Eriksson, Bella Rune, Carin Ellberg, Carsten Höller, Dale Harding, Marie-Louise Ekman, Meriç Algün, Nina Svensson, Olivia Plender, Pinar Öğrenci, Salad Hilowle, Sorawit Songsatsaya, and Thomas Elovsson. Art and Shops is on view until January 6.
The Silent University Language Café
As part of the mediation lab, Tensta konsthall is elaborating further on the tailor-made strategies of art mediation at the very core of The Silent University: Language Cafe, which welcomes those who wish to learn the basics of Swedish and Arabic, meet new friends, and share experiences. Especially welcome are those students who are currently outside the Swedish education system while awaiting asylum. The Language Café is a part of The Silent University, initiated by the artist Ahmet Ögüt.
The Women’s café
Three times a week, women from the area meet at Tensta konsthall to work with different kinds of crafts. Through collaborative handiwork, a safe space centered on conversation and exchange of experience is made possible.
Introductory course to contemporary art
What is and what does contemporary art do? How does one apply to art education programs? The course contains both practical and theoretical conversation and is based on the participants’ interests rather than formal syllabi. Artists and Tensta konsthall staff will lead the meetings.
The participants will try practical things such as drawing with professional artists. Makda Embaie, writer and student at Konstfack as well as assistant at Tensta konsthall, will be leading the course and available for questions and support. For more information and to apply please contact makda@tenstakonsthall.se.