Ola Lanko

Ola Lanko [#/] News May 19 M in WIELS May 12 Open studio's May 11 Amsterdam Art Fair May 3 Journées photographiques de Bienne Apr 13 Fractured linearities of time Mar 24 Image+ Projects Wrap and woof 2016 Mountain 2016 Shelter 2015 Day trip 2015 Romantic act of reason 2014 ED Ongoing Royal Blue 2014 All year round 2014 Selective Encyclopedia of Visual Metaphors 2013 Frames 2013 Photofetishism 2013 Looking for the heart 2013 Le Musée imaginaire de la sculpture mondiale 2013 Required reading 2012 Cubes 2012 100 Grams of rice 2012 Down the rabbit hole 2011 Hermitage 2011 Kids 2011 Videos M 2015 Three songs about revolution 2014 Truth needs no colors 2014 Writing Inspired by Auguste Rodin Blind date with a gruesome image Mine the image The duration of the now Books ED IT + Appendix Required Reading Statement The world constantly changes — and images together with it. The nature of an image transforms. Traditionally, an image is considered as a representation. But more and more the position of the image changes. New forms, functions, image circulation and its economy illustrate that. Often, there is still a holistic view while looking at the image. People see it as a whole, an entity of depicted objects, situations, events or people that are organized in an artificial setting, bordered by the picture frame. I think that such an approach to an image doesn't do any good to our understanding of it. I prefer to think of an image as a polyhedron, a structure that consists of numerous elements and facetes, both visible in the image, and invisible such as those that are made by context, individual experience and cultural heritage and it can be perceived from numerous perspectives. The modern times ask to consider all the layers that stick to the flat surface of an image. But it is not natural to see an image as a complexity of things yet. An easy way of looking at only the surface of an image is more common, but I believe that this is not the way to go. The image is rich. And that’s the great thing about it that makes it so exciting. Universalization of a meaning produces cliches and visual fast food. In healthcare it is already agreed upon that fast food is harmful, but in visual consumption it is generally not recognized as such. The speed of today’s information flow encourages to look only at the surface of an image, neglecting the richness that is hidden underneath. I believe that we should recognise, accept and enjoy the multidimensionality an image has, develop a multifaceted vision and profit from the richness the image offers. If each element in the image and its meaning will be considered and looked at from various perspectives, it will help change our vision and return a satisfying feeling of understanding. This intricate way of seeing, of always looking more deeply into things, brings about an original and fresh way of experiencing the world around. There is always more to see, and to see more means developing a deeper understanding and awareness of the historical moment we live in. In my work I try to unfold an image, creating photogenic installations and photographic projects. I explore parallel knowledge and histories constructed by images, big data and free access to information. I work with metaphors and references rearranging them in a new non-linear narratives. Daily objects allow me to address abstract notions through the material language of things that can be understood and related to by many people. In my artistic practice, I try to push the vision, understanding and perception to the point where it breaks down. By investigating our borders we can create a vantage point from which we can look at ourselves through a different kind of eyes. Therefor I use utopias to speculate about different possibilities for things to exist. I work in a systematic but intuitive way, combining ideas of rationalists and romanticists in a single experiment to understand the world, bring curiosity and bewilderment to people’s daily lives. Biography Education Special programs & Residencies Solo exhibitions Group exhibitions Publications Talks & Teaching Awards & Support Links & Collaborations Contact Pakhuis Whilhemina Veemkade 586 Atelier B2-C Amsterdam The Netherlands HISK Higher Institute for Fine Arts Charles de Kerchovelaan 187a Atelier D124 Ghent Belgium Ola.works Email Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to mailing list © 2008–2017 Ola Lanko