Lucky Luke by the infinity pool

Ana-Maria Hadji-Culea’s installation at Studio17 interprets the notion of ‘landscape’ and divides the gallery space in two parts. On the upper floor there are variations of the Nordic gnome (nisse); a cowboy and a hipster serving as the watchdogs of the gallery space. In order to ensure that these outdated celebrations of masculinity can fulfil their duties – whist being anchored to their positions – a smartphone has been placed nearby. Perhaps they are chatting with one another. On the lower floor – despite an infrastructural development in form of traps and obstacles – an unwanted architecture of the future is slowly pooling up. An architectural construction that is more likely than a settlement on Mars. Although we’re not entirely sure what kind of dwellings these mole-like engineers are constructing for mankind, we might need to settle anyhow. Could it be that they are building parking lots in the Alps? Next to this scenario, a skin from the cowboy’s horse – dimensions of which are based on the artist’s own – has been stretched out on the floor. Perhaps it could warm someone’s feet.

Ana-Maria Hadji-Culea is a visual artist based in Berlin and Stockholm. Her work often departs from a hypothetical scenario, which she translates into a performance or an installation. Hadji-Culea has previously exhibited at Spektrum, Berlin (2016); Index, Stockholm (2016); Acud, Berlin (2016); Brandts 13, Odense (2015); Romanian Cultural Institute Stockholm (2014); and Signal, Malmö (2013).

The exhibition is supported by Rogaland Kunstsenter.