"The World is Yours" at Louisiana

The exhibition "World is Yours" (5 September 2009 - 10 January 2010) is the biggest contemporary art show at Louisiana in years. Presenting 24 highly important artists from around the world and works intent on communicating directly with us. Affecting our senses, bodies, hearts and minds.

 

"The World is Yours" it says in bright lights at the top of the fine, old Louisiana villa. This sign, created by Norwegian artist Gardar Eide Einarsson, welcomes visitors to museum's large-scale, international presentation of art as it unfolds around the world right now.

At the exhibition "The World is Yours" we are met by the great diversity of expressions and media found in the art of today: moving pictures, interactive installations, sound, sculpture, mass media, everyday materials, text, painting, collage, and even smells. Here we can experience works that address the great questions of contemporary society.

"The World is Yours" presents works that startle, involve, tease, provoke or leave their mark on the viewer - or that very directly are dependant on our reactions.

Here we can meet a cloud of microphones snorting and humming (Shilpa Gupta). Sense the smell of fear, collected from men all over the world (Sissel Tolaas). Literally freeze at the sight of Olafur Eliasson's icy art car. Or use Monica Bonvicinis see-through mirrored toilet in the Louisiana park - if we dare.

Several of the works in "The World is Yours" show something strange happening in otherwise familiar spaces or situations: As in a demonstration with participants holding mirrors in stead of signs (Mircea Cantor). Or an empty McDonald burger bar which is suddenly flooded with water (Superflex). Or when we are immersed in radio frequencies and with our bodies control both images and sound.

This last-mentioned work, Frequency & Volume, is created by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, for whom art should provide "a platform for a good party." In the exhibition catalogue, featuring interviews with the 24 participating artists, Lozano-Hemmer explains:

"It need not be a happy party but I see the artwork as an environment that takes on a life of its own with the participation of the public... only when people interact with the pieces do  

I begin to understand what the project is."

"The World is Yours" occupies the entire south wing of Louisiana and incorporates the museum park as well.

Source (text, photo): The Official site of Louisiana