Nina Beier factors to unsettling features of on a regular basis objects and habits 

When society’s appreciation for an object rises or falls, the artist Nina Beier will get . It is perhaps a hand-rolled cigar or a classic sink, its color as soon as given an imperialist identify, reminiscent of “Indian ivory” or “Bali brown.” Her sculptures juxtapose objects and supplies. Of their new contexts they once more tackle new meanings, for instance, in Plug (2018) a thick cigar protrudes out of the drain gap beneath a pastel-toned sink.

Nina Beier (b. 1975, Denmark) turns the highlight onto the biographies and historic baggage that many on a regular basis objects carry with them. Her sculptures are sometimes based mostly on current objects that she finds in on-line marketplaces and second-hand outlets—in every single place that once-produced, purchased, used, and rejected items accumulate. 

Recurrent themes within the works within the “Elements” exhibition embody gendered roles and humankind’s relationship with more-than-human species. Within the items on show at Kiasma, Beier has used, for example, mechanical bulls and breast milk substitute (Beast, 2018), wigs made from actual hair and remote-controlled vehicles (Auto, 2017), therapeutic massage chairs and valuable metals recovered from digital waste (Handbook Remedy, 2016),in addition to fertilised soil and the seeds of an endangered palm tree from the Seychelles (Feminine Nude, 2015)—as soon as precious commodities that resemble the feminine groin. In her sculptures, she makes use of objects as mirrors that replicate the world round them, its energy buildings, flows of supplies and cash, questions of authenticity, and the infinite meanings related to merchandise.  

In addition to sculptures, Beier has created many performances throughout her profession. Considered one of these, Drama, will likely be staged at Kiasma. In it, actors are crying right into a drink within the exhibition house. The efficiency could be seen on Fridays and Saturdays, particulars of instances will likely be posted on the museum’s web site.  

On the finish of Might, the exhibition will lengthen exterior the museum’s premises with Beier’s fountain sculpture Girls & Youngsters (2022) displayed in entrance of Kiasma. It has now been acquired for the Finnish Nationwide Gallery’s collections, with the assist of the New Carlsberg Basis, and can stay on everlasting show within the pool on the museum’s café terrace.  

at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
till September 8, 2024