‘Macro’ is Karl Monies third solo show at Etage Projects. As an ode to the intriguing and almost mysterious species of fungi, the ‘Bonum Lumen’s are partly inspired by a fascination of the psychoactive properties of mushrooms; Literally bioluminescence, Internal awareness expressed as an external enlightenment.But it is also a result of an interest in the concepts of balance and dualities. Balance as an omnipresent factor to a modern individual finding a balance between dualities – small /big, up/down, wet / dry, cold/ warm, above/ below, internal/ external… on/ off
Always perceiving his works as tests, experiments, or rather sketches that only fully function when being activated,these lamps are supposed to change, adapt and thrive when activated and exposed to different environments. They are supposed to light up nature in its natural environment hence the imitated forest floor cells in the gallery.Here, Karl Monies has teamed up with Anna Sofie Jacobsen, a Danish floral artist and designer of outdoor environments. Her focus and ambition are always about reconnecting people to the wonders of nature. This applies to both her installations and her designs of outdoor spaces.For ‘Macro’ her focus has been on creating a forest landscape and to give an insight into the vitality of bulbs and tubers when left alone.The ‘constellations’ can be seen as a portrait of , or invitation to dial down the pace and observe natures way… a platform to ‘move slow and repair things’. Like the ‘Bonum Lumen’s, they are composed of small units creating a whole. Monies has always been infatuated by the thought that our bodies are galaxies, our cells are stars each one shining with the energy of lifeIt is a captivating thought that when it comes to the natural world, zooming in and zooming out are equally endless.
Go to artist page: Karl Monies
