RHIANNON HUNTER

THE IDEAL

2018. Sculptural Installation. Variable circa 200 x 100 cm, Skagen Odde Nature Centre, Denmark Residency with Onsdagsskolen. Photos by Kent Hansen

The exhibition titled ‘Architecture of Skagen - Before and Now’ was a week long residency alongside seven International artists, architects, designers. The Ideal responds to the architecture and local community of a northern town in Denmark.

Iridescent light reflecting off large, low rectangular windows, a crisp wind, the relentless call and answer of a rusted bicycle chain disappearing with it’s owner, and stillness.

“I had arrived in Skagen.

On our first morning we mounted Dutch bikes and peddled the town with local historian, Hans, absorbing his words and taking ample photos.

The week continued to unfold with planned consideration for our exposure to knowledge and inspiration in order to respond to the task at hand.

We saw the two seas meet on the peninsula, learnt about the local prison-turned archive center and were fuelled by traditional local dishes.”

In ‘The Ideal’, Rhiannon explores the physical transformation of the Old Netto ( Sct. Laurentii Vej 107) responding to Architecture of Skagen - Before and Now. The work touches on concerns around time, values and change in a community where populations fluctuate and traditions sit with the novel.

The title of the work is inspired by a book found in the local library on Skagen’s architecture and research collected during the residency. The book contains a series of illustrations and rules on how to build and maintain the ‘old’ or ‘traditional’ buildings of Skagen. When showed these illustrations, a local man nodded and said yes that is ‘The Ideal’. .

The series of sculptural elements are the artist’s physical exploration of forms taken from a drawing of a section of the building where the ‘old building’ joins the ‘new building’ as it stands today.

The series of sculptures are the result of photos, drawings, site visits, working with local residents, research and material experimentation completed over one week. Whilst the pieces themselves are complete, they are a snapshot on an explorative process as the artist attempts to question ‘The Ideal’ architecture of Skagen.

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