According to NRK Sørlandet, Tori Wrånes described the installation as a kind of chain of people woven into each other. The figures move from the floor toward the ceiling and must cooperate to get out, according to official sources. The interpretation is left to the individual viewer, but Wrånes suggested it could be a portrait of a human life, or about multiple lives, or perhaps generations moving.
The Venice Biennale opens on Saturday, May 9 and runs until the end of November, with approximately 800,000 guests expected. Wrånes, from Kristiansand, is one of three representing the Nordic countries and the only artist from Norway. According to NRK Sørlandet, Mona Pahle Bjerke, NRK's art critic, described being selected for the Biennale as one of the greatest achievements an artist can attain, calling it a feat and a great honor. La Biennale di Venezia dates back to 1895. Norway shares the Nordic Pavilion with Sweden and Finland; this time, the representatives are selected by the Finnish museum Kiasma, with responsibility shared with Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) and Moderna Museet in Stockholm.
It is a kind of chain of people that are woven into each other.
Wrånes built her installation at the set workshop at Kilden theater and concert hall in Kristiansand. The artwork is fifteen meters long and made from old sails from the full-rigged ship Sørlandet, which is nearly a hundred years old and still in operation. According to NRK Sørlandet, Wrånes described the sails as having sailed all over the world, torn by the wind and patched again, adding that the material has been patinated by nature's own forces, giving an extra dimension. She drew parallels between the old sails and the meaning of the work: catching wind and moving forward, chasing a kind of freedom, and that there is hope.
But it could be a portrait of a human life. Or it could be about several lives, or perhaps generations moving.
It is very honorable. I am excited, but will also enjoy the experience.
Being selected for the Venice Biennale is one of the greatest achievements an artist can attain.
It is a feat and a great honor for the artist, for this is the world's most important art exhibition.
The sails have sailed all over the world, and are torn by the wind and patched again.
It gives an extra dimension.
It is about catching wind and moving forward. That one chases a kind of freedom, and that there is hope.