Christian Falsnaes

Christian Falsnaes’ works are brought to life when they are activated by the audience. More and more often the visitors are the sole protagonists of his works. The artist withdraws as a protagonist and develops concepts that others execute. In this context, he is interested in questions of authority and hierarchy, social rituals and group dynamics, in both art and daily life. 

SOLO was conceived especially for this exhibition when it became clear that the originally planned work FORCE could not be carried out in accordance with the new distancing and hygiene rules. With SOLO, Falsnaes reacts not only in a practical way, but also conceptually, to a new situation that has determined our everyday life for several weeks now. Strict regulations apply in public spaces, which affect our interactions as well as the physique of each individual. We can only act in a way that is free from these still unfamiliar rules in private spaces. The artist reflects on how new social conventions change our intuitive behaviour in the short or long term – in our interactions with others, but also alone with ourselves.

Christian Falsnaes’ practice is experimental, often remaining an open process. His choreographies are not intended for a passive audience. Action, not viewing, is at the forefront of his works. Participants are given the opportunity to observe themselves in unusual situations. The artist is interested here in self-perception and in raising awareness of sensations, impulses and reactions. In some cases, Falsnaes consciously provokes feelings of unease, uncertainty or tension. The function of the exhibition space in this context is to create distance and to prompt a conscious questioning of one’s own actions and feelings.

Johanna Adam

Christian Falsnaes started out as a graffiti artist in Copenhagen, where he also studied philosophy, before embarking on a degree in fine art in Vienna. He has staged performances and interactions in public spaces in Copenhagen before he even started studying art, but he quickly found his way into exhibitions and museums. He can be described as an artist who moves back and forth across the boundaries between the visual and the performing arts