Nordic Delight: A Secret Society and Collective Novel at the Swedish Institute
From September 9 to October 24, 2010, the Swedish Institute in Paris hosted the exhibition 'Nordic Delight,' curated by Sinziana Ravini and showcasing the work of 17 Nordic artists. As part of this project, she founded a secretive group known as the Société bicéphale, whose members authored the novel 'Le Château d'étain' (published by Montgolfier), serving as the exhibition's catalogue. The narrative features a two-headed character tasked with organizing an exhibition in the palace of King Tautologos. Featured pieces included Martin Jacobson's gallery drawing, Kristina Müntzig's black raft, photographs by Klara Källström, drawings from Carl Boutard, and Leandre Djonne's film and reconstructed slave ship. On the eve of the opening, artists placed personal items in a basement altar, representing a return to life on the final day.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Nordic Delight' held at the Swedish Institute in Paris, Sept 9–Oct 24, 2010.
- Curated by Sinziana Ravini, featuring 17 Nordic artists.
- A secret society (Société bicéphale) was formed, producing a collective novel 'Le Château d'étain' as catalogue.
- Novel plot: a two-headed critic/curator must succeed in an exhibition or be decapitated by King Tautologos.
- Artworks by Martin Jacobson, Kristina Müntzig, Klara Källström, Carl Boutard, and Leandre Djonne included.
- Leandre Djonne reconstructed an 18th-century Swedish slave ship from wood found in Paris suburbs.
- A ritual in the institute's basement involved artists depositing personal objects on an altar.
- The basement was inaccessible during the exhibition; objects retrieved on the final day.
Entities
Artists
- Sinziana Ravini
- Martin Jacobson
- Kristina Müntzig
- Klara Källström
- Carl Boutard
- Leandre Djonne
- Richard Leydier
Institutions
- Swedish Institute (Institut suédois)
- Montgolfier (éditions Montgolfier)
- artpress
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Sweden
- Swedish Institute (Institut suédois)
Sources
- artpress —