Simian
Christian Vindelev, Jan S. Hansen, Toke Flyvholm, Markus von Platen
Description of the presented project:
At ArtVilnius 2024, Simian will present a collaborative installation by Lithuanian artist Lukas Danys and Danish artist Jan S. Hansen. This project follows their joint exhibition POV, an abbreviation for “point of view,” held at Simian in early 2024. In POV, works of various dimensions, formats, and mediums were physically and metaphorically framed by a villa-like scenography. The resulting interior-exterior setting referenced and re-examined established psychological and philosophical terminologies, as well as different levels and scales of human apprehension. The exhibition raised questions about the subjectivity of impressions, the realm of collectivity, and the notion of supposedly neutral perspectives.
At the fair, a similar setting of a staged room is presented, in which artworks are installed. This immersive installation invites viewers to reflect on the gap between sensory perceptions of material surroundings and their translation into mental experiences. The works contemplate the insufficiency of technological, scientific, philosophical, or spiritual attempts to map these glitches. Drawing from diverse sources, both renowned and obscure, while focusing on the role of habits, images, and models, the artists investigate the inexplicable specificity of the human mind and its relation to other forms of consciousness.
The project is kindly supported by Danish Arts Foundation and Nordic Culture Point.
About artists:
Lukas Danys (b. 1988, Kaunas, Lithuania) is an artist and a DJ based in Copenhagen. He recently completed his MFA at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, The school of Sculpture. Prior to this, he completed a BFA at the Schools of Visual Arts in Copenhagen and studied at Belas-Artes, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Lukas Danys’ practice includes sculpture, installation, sound, and video art. His primary focus is on how technological and symbolic shifts influence our perception, understanding, consciousness and social reality. He focuses on the intimacy of space and how various infrastructures facilitate dynamic interactions between internal experiences and external environments. Danys’ work explores the intersections of belief and digital systems, sociocultural narratives, all within the context of the evolving dynamics of the present-day environment. In addition to his studio practice, Danys actively organises hybrid sound, art, performance events like Rewild, Dummy and In Situ Festival.
Jan S. Hansen (b. 1980, Denmark) is a visual artist based in Copenhagen. He graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Visual Arts in Copenhagen, and has also studied at Copenhagen University, Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy of Mind and at The European Graduate School, Division of Philosophy, Art and Critical Thought in Saas-Fee. His work employs diverse mediums including ceramics, laser cutting, 3D printing, maquettes, mannequins and altered found objects, that is often presented within larger installations, creating encompassing environments. In his practice he explores concepts such as time, space, and the complexities of (human) consciousness, as well as the impact of technological advancements on the human mind. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality, his work prompts reflection on the intricacies and makeup of reality.
He is co-founder and co-director of Simian, an independent, non-profit art space in Copenhagen. Simian collaborates with Danish and international artists from emergent and established positions, to produce exhibitions that highlight new artistic tendencies and engage with critical societal discourses. Amongst others, he has exhibited at Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art, Copenhagen; O–Overgaden, Copenhagen; Simian, Copenhagen; Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen; Huset for Kunst og Design, Holstebro; Kunsthal Nord, Aalborg, Hvidovre Public Library, Hvidovre and The Danish Institute, Rome.
Description of the institution:
Simian is an independent art center in the district of Ørestad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded and run by artists as a non-profit organization, Simian aspires to support and present experimental exhibition projects by national and international artists from emergent and established positions. Through an extensive programme, Simian seeks to engage in critical artistic and social discourses, with the aim to generate discussion, reflection and agency. Simian was founded in 2020 by Christian Vindelev, Jan S. Hansen, Toke Flyvholm and Markus von Platen.
Jan S. Hansen , Helix
Installation
Steel, soldered blank keys
Lukas Danys, Harmony Reduction
Installation
Wood, metal chain, water, silver paint