Århus/Copenhagen, january 1997

RHIZOM PRESENTS...

February 1. - 28. 1997

An exhibition curated by the exhibition space Rhizom with Ulla Andersen (DK), Anne Mette Arendt (DK), Thorbjørn Bechmann (DK), Tine Beck (DK), Thomas Björk (S), Lars Buchardt (DK), Iben Dalgaard (DK), Jesper Dyrehauge (DK), Sanne Fandrup (DK), Thierry Geoffroy (F), Morten Goll (DK), Maria Hernshøj (DK), Anette Højlund (DK), Pablo Llambias (DK), Annika Lundgren (S), Tina Lynge (DK), Hamid Nouar (DK), Nis Rømer Poulsen (DK), Morten Schjødt (DK), Peter Sommerlund (DK), Mads Steen (DK) og Lisbeth Tarri (DK).

Opening february 1. 4 pm. - 8 pm.

Rhizom

Mejlgade 51, mellembygn., 1. sal.

DK-8000 Århus C.

Tel: +45 86199162

Open wednesday - sunday 12 am. - 6 pm..

Rhizom is a new exhibition space which opens in Århus, Denmark, february 1. 1997. The place is meant to be a scene for new, experimental art, and will show all imaginable media and expressions. The place is non-commercial and will be run by volunteers and will be supported financially by the City of Århus. The organizers behind Rhizom are:

Staffan Boije af Gennäs

Lars Buchardt

Tone O. Nielsen

Hamid Nouar

Per Schandorff

The exhibition space has borrowed its name from natural science. Rhizom is the biological term for roots which branches themselves off horizontally just below the surface of the earth, following a principle of plurality. In a philosophical context the rhizome is very different from the tendency of the tree to seek depth and foundation for its roots. Rhizome therefore represents that which is without centre and structure, and which in close contact with the local, just above the surface, spreads itself in all directions, ignoring boundaries and hierachies. Rhizom thus becomes an emblem of not only de-centralized structures of thought and principles of organization, but also of the nature of creativity itself. By embracing this concept, Rhizom hopes to signal the wish to: 1) create a scene for experimental art which seldom is seen in the established Danish art-institution, 2) to establish this scene in Århus, a city which at present has no alternative spaces for contemporary art, and 3), to establish a dialogue and exchange between the art worlds of the Danish capital and the rest of the country, which for too long have been without contact.

The opening exhibition Rhizom Presents... tries to avoid restraining the artists and their work, and tries to involve the artists as working-partners in the organizing of the show. Rhizom has asked each of the artists to contribute a work which for some reason has never been made, but keeps 'haunting' them, or a work which has never found its right exhibition context. In this way Rhizom is trying to raise questions about the demand for 'novelty' or 'newness' in the production of art. Rhizom tries to maintain a self-reflective and critical attitude towards the role of the curator.

The exhibition opens february 1. from 4 pm. - 8 pm. and will be open to the public wednesdays to sundays 12 am. - 6 pm. until february 28. Rhizom welcomes everyone and looks forward to seeing a large crowd!

Further information:

Staffan Boije af Gennäs Istedgade 15, 5. tv. DK - 1650 København V Tel: +45 2081 4895	Lars Buchardt Estlandsgade 20, 2. tv. DK - 1724 København V Tel: +45 3124 0877	Tone O. Nielsen Gl. Kongevej 35 C, 2. DK - 1610 København V Tel/fax: +45 3124 2253
Per Schandorff Frederiksstadsgade 1, 1. tv. DK - 1667 København V Tel: +45 3325 2429	Hamid Nouar Faaborggade 14, st. th. DK - 8000 Århus C Tel: +45 8619 9162