News From the Art World: Tables – Decoration of the Dining Hall
On Sønderjylland’s Museum of Art in Tønder there are ten tables painted by Per Kirkeby in 2002. The Paintings are done in oil and crayon on black masonite tables, which measures 122 x 122 cm. These paintings circle about something very simple, namely the description of some wood pieces. Neither less nor more. Per Kirkeby’s black tables constitute a special expression in his extensive production of paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphics. They are “crossovers”, they are both paintings and drawings, and they have a graphic dimension as well.
Lea (present volunteer, she is in India now) working on one of the tables
Berhard Edmaier is a German photographer. He is, like Per Kirkeby, a trained geologist, and in 2005 he published the book Earthsong, which describes the earth and it’s morphology. The book consists of a collection of outstanding pictures of the surface of the earth taken from all over the world – from Alaska to Bahamas and Iceland, and from Europe to North America and New Zealand.
Photograph by Edmaier. The second inspirational source.
On of Per Kirkeby’s tables. The first inspirational source.
These two inspirational sources was the background of a workshop on the course Friends Open – Folkhighschool Classic August 8th – 14th. Three former students and four present volunteers got the task that they in just 6-7 hours all in all had to create one table each, which was inspired by the photographs of Edmaier – of the organic forms of the earth, the natural patterns and unusual colours. In addition, I decided to be the strict judge, deciding which paintings could, in the final end, decorate the dining hall. So, this “pressure” put on their heads, the promising talents began their work.
Table by Jakob, now a volunteer in South Africa
The first couple of lectures we drew drafts on black paper using crayon and neo-pastel. Finally on the second day of the workshop, we began painting the rather large tables – everything was allowed – so we worked hard with both acryl- and spray-paint, crayon and pastels. Luckily, the weather was great, so we could paint outside and let the windows stay open, since the black grounding colour, which was found in a secret hiding place in the basement of the caretaker, Søren, had a quite nasty smelling wood preservative. But artificial stimulations have always been a part of the artistic world!
Diana, present volunteer in India, working on her table.
After hours of intensive work, doubt and excited discussions with the teacher on form and composition – not to mention art of the eighties, how to handle a spray and female attributes – the seven artists were finally ready for the private view on the closing evening. Their art was praised by the audience, and four works was graciously qualified by the judge’s view, and they now decorate the dining hall. One work will have to be corrected into a bearable painting by the teacher, and the final two paintings might be used as decoration for the living room in the north wing, where the upcoming LK students will judge them.
Shane and Sarah, both LK10 (and Shane is presently doing volunteer work in Peru), in the Atelier working intensively to get their tables through the needle’s eye. The strict judge will have to decide.
Thanks shall be given to the participants:
Charlotte LK04, Sara LK10, Shane LK10/volunteer, Lea volunteer, Diana volunteer, Jakob volunteer and Malte volunteer.
Words: Anja Kjølby
