Primary Structures (Paula’s Props) by Lynda Benglis, 1975, installation view, Bergen Assembly 2016; courtesy Cheim & Read; photo: Thor Brødreskift
Norway’s Bergen Assembly opened last weekend. With a groundbreaking approach to the modern-day biennial model, it has established itself as one of this season’s most ambitious art events yet. Co-curated by Lebanon-born, Paris-based Tarek Atoui, public research collective freethought and Berlin-based duo PRAXES, the month-long affair seeks to redefine the biennial format through unorthodox timeframes and public events. Now in its second instalment, the triennial has had time to perfect itself since its 2013 debut, only furthering its credibility as a major contender in the art world.
With all of this in mind, here are five reasons this year’s Bergen Assembly is one of the can’t-miss contemporary art events of 2016.
Cocaine & Caviar by Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, installation view at Bergen Assembly, 2016; photo: Thor Brødreskift
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd offers Cocaine and Caviar
The ultimate celebrator of contemporary media, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd borrows from a diverse assortment of pop culture icons that includes Michael Jackson, Hayao Miyazaki and the Canterbury Tales. Her performance pieces often involve large groups of amateur participants, each dressed in an elaborate disguise that creates a visually rich display. For “Cocaine and Caviar”, presented by Praxes, the artist has compiled a selection of previously used costumes and props while video of past performances play along the perimeter.
WITHIN/ Infinite Ear by Tarek Atoui & Council, Bergen Assembly 2016 Sentralbadet; photo: Thor Brødreskift
Tarek Atoui performs in an abandoned swimming pool
In preparation for this year’s event, sound artist Tarek Atoui collaborated closely with a selection of globally recognised musicians as well as local deaf communities to present “Within”, a project that includes various electronic and percussion instruments that explore sound and deafness. Musical devices include a sensor that translates the performer’s gesticulations into sound, as well as a tablet that creates noise frequency from drawings. Hosted in the city’s Sentralbadet – an abandoned swimming pool – the retro space provides an excellent setting for Atoui’s series of performances.
Also housed in the locale is a cafe as well as small rooms for deep listening and sound massage, which are available both individually and in group sessions by appointment only.
Documentation Shot, Bergen Assembly 2016, photo: Thor Brødreskift
The Infrastructure of Feeling is a library built through music
One floor above an occupied fire station sits the “Infrastructure of Feeling”, a project created by Louis Moreno and artist-curator Paul Purgas. Inside the room, situated between two bookshelves, is a screen and a set of speakers connected to a 6-disc CD player. There, a device analyses music playing from the CD player, which comprises a diverse range of Norwegian music including folk, classical and pop. Of course, the selection would not be complete without a few of the country’s famous death metal tracks. The device then provides three words that it associates with the melody, all before logging into Amazon and offering a suggestion for the book best associated with the song. Once a day, the project’s creators will select one book from the database to purchase and place inside the library.
Though only 20 or so books rest on the shelves as of now, they will be filled throughout the course of Bergen Assembly. “Infrastructure of Feeling” allows visitors to reflect on sound and its relationship to infrastructure.
Delete Beach by Phil Collins, 2016 HD animation; colour, sound; 6 min. 32 sec; courtesy of Shady Lane Productions and Bergen Assembly.
Film screenings from artists including Turner Prize nominee Phil Collins
Phil Collins is a filmmaker and visual artist currently based in Berlin. For the 2016 Bergen Assembly, he contributes “Delete Beach”, an anime-style short created exclusively for the triennial. The featurette, which takes place in the future, is set in Bergen and utilises sci-fi in its tale of a young Norwegian girl. From now until 19 September, patrons will have the opportunity to watch the animated clip at Bergen Kino.
Image via mustseeplaces.eu
All hosted in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities
Situated on the western coast of Norway, Bergen is a port town that is insanely picturesque. This means that, should you need a break from all of the galleries and screenings, a nice walk around the fish market can provide enough entertainment during the in-between. The Ulriken64 is a cable-car that transports onlookers to the highest point of the city’s famed Seven Mountains. Fjord tours and delicious seafood are other highlights, but beware – as locals are quick to inform, Bergen holds the title as Europe’s rainiest city. Therefore, it is always wise to bring an umbrella.
Bergen Assembly runs through to 1 October 2016