cut out cardboard
50cm x 54cm

drawing the compositions from:
Alexander Rodchenko, Gustav Klutsis, László Moholy-Nagy, El Lissitzky and Liubov Popova to explore the gap between the represented and the spatial

“Spatial Constructions” 2012 carving series no.12 Gustav Klutsis, up close

“Spatial Constructions” 2012 carving series no.10 after László Moholy-Nagy

“Spatial Constructions” 2012 carving series no.8 after Alexandra Exter

drawing inspiration from:
Alexander Rodchenko, Karl Ioganson and El Lissitzky to explore the gap between the represented and the spatial.

Installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

Installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK. after El Lissitzky

Installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK. after El Lissitzky (Lava)

Installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK. after Alexander Rodchenko

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

Also present in the image:
“Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

The Animation is in the form of a construction of various of Alexander Rodchenko’s drawings and Karl Ioganson sculptures. Generally through an adaptation from flat compositions to spatial ones

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

press(ENG)/

Greatly inspired by the experimental work of the Russian Constructivists with elementary forms and abstract idioms, Jesper Carlsen is showing new works that turn the focus on construction rather than composition.

The exploration of surface, line and colour, and especially of spatial ambiguity, recurs in several of the works in the exhibition. Spatial Ambiguity consists of photographic and video works that take their point of departure in among other things Alexander Rodchenko’s text The Line from 1921, in the form of a computer animation. At the same time the artist presents a number of new paper cuts, which use various kinds of three-dimensionality to play with representation. Other paper cuts are directly inspired by the Russian Constructivist Gustav Klutsis’ architectural drawings. This preoccupation with representation and our way of interpreting visual impressions is a recurrent feature of Jesper Carlsen’s artistic activity.

Jesper Carlsen’s inspiration comes primarily from Alexander Rodchenko’s works and texts, which deal with the necessary transition from figuration and composition to the actual construction of art, which was to reflect the new, modern life of the time. In particular, Rodchenko’s descriptions of the line as direction, as dissection and as catalyst in the transformation from surface to space form the basis of this exhibition.

The Constructivists’ problematical relationship with composition and its consequences is a strong focus in the works, which in some cases are reproduced more or less directly. Carlsen attempts to play down subjective representation in order to draw attention to and create a kind of logic around the construction of the work. As a whole the works can be seen as a way of perpetuating some of the ideas that were formulated around 1913-21, when Constructivism was at its strongest; among other ways by shunning the figurative and producing instructions and constructions rather than compositions – a visual language that has inspired many artists later, and in particular Jesper Carlsen’s exhibition Spatial Ambiguity.

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
”Inside tile Corner 3x3x3” 2012
Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
“Line Composition” 2011
“Line structures” 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
“Spatial Constructions” Anaglyph carving series 2012
“Rubix Compositions” 2012
“Line structures” 2012
“Line Composition” 2011

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
“three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system” 2012
“Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012
“Spatial Constructions” cube carving series 2012
“Rubix Compositions” 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
“three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system” 2012
“Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012
”Line meshing” 2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

works:
“Spatial Constructions” cube carving series 2012
 “Rubix Compositions” 2012

complete list of works:
”Inside tile Corner 3x3x3” 2012
“three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system” 2012
“Spatial Constructions” 2. series 2012
“Spatial Constructions” Anaglyph carving series 2012
“Spatial Constructions” cube carving series 2012
“Rubix Compositions” 2012
”Line meshing” 2012
“Line structures” 2012
“Line Composition” 2011

The exhibition is sponsored by the Danish Arts Council.

Chalk line is a tool for drawing straight lines, mainly used in construction. The line is coated in chalk then pulled tight across a suface where it is snapped causing the string to strike the surface, leaving a straight line.

Line Composition no 2.  2012

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

installation view. Martin Asbæk Gallery, DK

Line Composition no 1.  2011

installation view, Ny Tap, Carlsberg DK

installation view, Ny Tap, Carlsberg DK

close up view

close up view