The art of claymation is a time consuming illustrative process used to make movies. It involves creating characters and objects out of clay or plasticine and making a stop motion video by moving them for each frame. This is done by hand and extra care must be taken to not smudge or create any inconsistencies. The moving pictures are used as short films, T.V. shows like Shaun the Sheep even full length films like Wallace and Gromit .
2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?
Djurburg's sculptures are lush while the videos are harsh; this unnatural contrast makes it surreal while the plants and animals echo a garden setting. This 'garden' is in a basement and the lack of any real connection to nature or the sun also makes it surreal. The large size of the plants adds to it by confusing the senses and making the viewer feel small, as though something is off. The videos explore timeless themes of sexuality and violence in an unnatural way.
Experimentet, 2009
3. What are the 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with?
She confronts the viewer with things they know like fear, love, hate, pain and distrust. Through gruesome scenarios she brings foreword these issues for the viewer to face in their own life, much like psychoanalysis.
4. How does Djurberg play with the ideas of children's stories, and innocence in some of her work?
The video and sculptural installation, “I found myself alone” at first appears innocent. There is a giant table laid with sweets and set out for a tea party, every little girl’s dream. But it soon turns dark and nightmarish. Also, the media of claymation is usually reserved for children’s entertainment.
I found Myself Alone, 2008-09
5. There is a current fascination by some designers with turning the innocent and sweet into something disturbing. Why do you think this has come about?
I think that previously it was not socially unacceptable to show innocent things in a dark or evil light. But now it is becoming more accepted and more artist feel free to express fears and dark feelings in a way that are typically meant for children, like claymation.
6. In your opinion, why do you think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale?
I think that Djurberg’s work was chosen because of its evocative nature. It demands an emotional reaction from the viewer. She explores issues that are common to all people so it is relatable while at the same time being so strange and unpredictable that you are compelled to watch the videos and walk among her creations.
Experimentet, 2009
7. Add some of your own personal comments on her work.
I find her work haunting and strange in a way that engages while also repulses and I like that. I like that she feels free to express emotions that are usually repressed. She taps into issues that all of humanity deals with in our subconsciouses. With her work she ‘says’ what everybody’s already thinking.
Experimentet, 2009
Tiger Licking Girl's Butt, 2004
Taylor, Richard. The Encyclopedia of Animation Techniques. Running Press, Philadelphia, 1996.
http://blog.art21.org/2009/06/16/nathalie-djurberg-and-paul-chan-making-weird-worlds-at-birnbaums-biennale/
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/6886/nathalie-djurberg-experiment-at-venice-art-biennale-09.html
http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2009/10/nathalie-djurberg-who-won-the.php
Leigh Anne Miller, Art in America, Brant Publishing Inc. [1997]
http://www.likeyou.com/en/node/7962
I like how you explored her ideas of contrast within her work not just of visual but of ideas portrayed as well. because it is obvious that the contrast of a child-like look with crude 'adult' themes is crucial in the process of what she is trying to say. Also your comment on how she is only saying what everybody is already thinking. i think a very valid statement due to her raw and animalistic themes.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your statement, "I think that previously it was not socially unacceptable to show innocent things in a dark or evil light. But now it is becoming more accepted and more artist feel free to express fears and dark feelings in a way that are typically meant for children, like claymation." It has become increasingly popular in recent years. A classic example i can think of where these designers have gained inspiration is The Children's Book and two Disney movie hit, 'Alice In Wonderland'. The innocents of a little girl, trapped in a surreal, dark, delightful, crazy world. This whole dream like approach gives designers so much openness to express though their work, contrasting colour and life with morbid and dark tendencies. In Djurberg's short, powerful films, she displays the juxtaposition between the sweet and the disturbing to gain impact.
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