DO DREAMS REQUIRE LIQUID?
Benjamin A. H. Harpsøe, Soft Moon, 35 x 17 x 15 cm, PLA, 2021
Benjamin A. H. Harpsøe, The Beauty Left Behind, 17 x 15 x 19,5 cm, PLA, 2021
11-06-’21 till 21-06-’21
BENJAMIN A. H. HARPSØE | DO DREAMS REQUIRE LIQUID?
INDEBT proudly presents Do Dreams Require Liquid? a solo exhibition by Danish artist Benjamin A. H. Harpsøe. In the selection of works the artist materializes objects seemingly out of dreams with liquids of soft colors, leading the audience to simultaneously feel comfort and discomfort, and the imagination that is possible for us to achieve in the dream state.
Benjamin A. H. Harpsøe delves into the symbolism of snails, viewing them as representations of the alchemical Rebis, embodying the hermaphroditic divine and the reconciliation of matter and spirit. He reflects on the significance of a snail tattoo on his arm, a personal memento mori inspired by the passing of a childhood friend. This tattoo, akin to the snails depicted in seventeenth-century Dutch paintings, serves as a reminder of life's persistence, even in incremental movements, and ties back to Christiania, the commune where he and his friend grew up.
Harpsøe questions the modern perception of spiritual connections with objects or places, considering it an antiquated view categorized as 'Animism' by Edward Tylor. He ponders whether this approach adequately fits contemporary circumstances and notes that his work revolves around Animism but not as perceived by Tylor, suggesting that society has moved beyond the confines of the 'Modern.'
His inquiries delve into the reconciliation of matter and spirit, especially in a world where digital existence significantly influences physical manifestations. In his work he poses contemplations about how individuals can spiritually engage with objects birthed primarily in the ephemeral digital realm and participate in a mystical collective consciousness. Drawing from alchemical symbolism and Jungian psychoanalyst Marie-Louise von Franz's perspective on dream materials, Harpsøe ponders the moisture-dependent life of snails and links this characteristic to the spiritual facets of Animis: “Do dreams require liquid?”
Benjamin A. H. Harpsøe (1986 DK) creates art pieces and installations that captivate the viewer by offering an alternative perspective to commonplace notions accepted by society. Harpsøe carries scientific and rational themes into his art and then constructing within them a fantastical. Working with a broad range of media Harpsøe creates distinctive installations that question our spiritual connection to the modern world and whether we have moved beyond modernity into uncharted territory where the division between the two have disappeared entirely.
Vilified Consumption 47 x 42 x 28 cm, PLA, Epoxy, Mother of Pearl pigment, 2021
Gate of Departur, Fluorescent pigment, Polyester pigment, Aluminum, Polyester, 2021
Instant Access, 150 x 44 x 40 cm, PLA, Aluminium, 2021
Emblem of Longevit, 83 x 40 x 48 cm, Rock, Wax, PLA, Modified Dehumidifier, 2021