Nathalie Djurberg's 'Claymations'.
Claymation, or Clay animation is a form of art making, which involves clay figures which move, walk, talk, dance or pretty much what ever you want it to do. This process can be done using stop motion photography, a series of still pictures taken with a camera, the frames are then run together to produce a moving object into a smooth motion.
2. What is meant by the term 'surrealistic Garden of Eden'? and 'all that is natural goes awry'?
Garden of Eden is a garden covered with odd looking plants and flowers. The scale of this creation over powers viewers and makes their presence known. Their colors and shape are exotic and yet sinister. As this garden never see's sun, the place remains dark and somewhat creepy. Looking at this piece of work it reminds me of a fairy tail or a dream-like land.
3. What are the 'complexity of emotions' that Djurberg confronts us with?
This work overwhelms me with different feelings that contradict each other. Theres the feeling of being uncomfortable, scared and somewhat fearful however I can't get enough of it. This work makes me want to open my imagination, in a way, it reminds me of my adolescence, yet in a creepy and dark light. I watched a short video of it on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O3kg8caumE) and the very first thing it reminded me of was 'The Log-Flume' at Rainbows End. It gives of an aery feeling, as if theres something lurking behind the plants watching you. It makes me feel un easy, but yet I still can't help but get an overwhelming feeling of harmony and tranquility. It reminds me of a place that has not been disturbed by human, which is odd as it is clearly man-made. I don't know what it is but it send me shivers. The music composed by Hans Berg contributes to the uncomfortable atmosphere.
4. How does Djurberg play with the ideas of children's stories, and innocence in some of her work?
The first thing I noticed when I saw Djurberg work, was that it reminded me of a fairy tail and my childhood emanation. She is able to present something that the viewers can identify with and bring back childhood thoughts. Also how Djurberg is able to play with the ideas of children’s stories is the using of the image of little girls who are looking “innocent”. These girls, being attacked by a 'villain". Little Red Ridding hood is one example of this story line.
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?
The reasons artists are trying to create art that is turning innocent into something disturbing- is the feelings it brings to the viewer. It allows the viewer to think deep about how they really feel about this work. It challenges the viewer about their thoughts, do they enjoy it, or do they feel negative feelings toward the works. It opens so many doors of the mind, and as the viewer finds themselves with contradicting thoughts and feelings, their strait away drawn into the work, so the artist job is successful.
6. In your opinion, why do you think Djurberg's work is so interesting that it was chosen for the Venice Biennale?
I think the reason her work was chosen, was that her work is so interesting due to it’s shocking and surprising contents. The Garden of Eden with meaty-looking flowers and films in which animated clay figures perform violent and sexual acts in a playful and absurd manner. The viewer is taken to a place of paradoxes almost like a joyful nightmare. It challenges the viewer to go deep into thought, and really question if this work is right or wrong. It brings a new diminution into the art world, as you can not compare much to Djurberg's work.
I think the reason her work was chosen, was that her work is so interesting due to it’s shocking and surprising contents. The Garden of Eden with meaty-looking flowers and films in which animated clay figures perform violent and sexual acts in a playful and absurd manner. The viewer is taken to a place of paradoxes almost like a joyful nightmare. It challenges the viewer to go deep into thought, and really question if this work is right or wrong. It brings a new diminution into the art world, as you can not compare much to Djurberg's work.
7. Add some of your own personal comments on her work.
The Eden Garden is shocking and makes me feel scared and disgusted of the violence, but yet it’s interesting how Djurberg presents her work. This work overwhelms me with different feelings that contradict each other. Theres the feeling of being uncomfortable, scared and somewhat fearful however I can't get enough of it. It’s some sort of duality between fairy, innocence, vicious and fascination.
Reference
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/2008/04/there-are-very-very-few.php
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