Hesselholdt & Mejlvang Explained

Hesselholdt & Mejlvang
Birth Name:Sofie Hesselholdt and Vibeke Mejlvang
Birth Date:21 April 1974, Copenhagen, Denmark (Sofie) and 24 August 1976, Hjørring, Denmark (Vibeke)
Nationality:Danish
Website:https://www.hesselholdt-mejlvang.dk/
Education:Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

Sofie Hesselholdt (born 21 April 1974) and Vibeke Mejlvang (born 24 August 1976) are a collaborative duo of visual artists who live and work in Copenhagen. They started collaborating in late 1999 and work with performance art and site-specific installations in public spaces addressing social and political topics such as National Identity and Eurocentrism.

Early life and education

Sofie Hesselholdt was born in 1974 in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1998 she received a BA in Art History from the University of Copenhagen. In 1999 she started studying Fine Arts in the sculpture department under Lars Bent Petersen at the Funen Art Academy[1] and in 2000 she got accepted at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. There, she started a six years long degree with professors Yvette Brackman, Ann Lislegaard and the last year Henrik B. Andersen, who was her MA thesis supervisor.[2]

Vibeke Mejlvang was born in 1976 in Hjørring, Denmark. Like Sofie Hesselholdt, she started studying in the sculpture departmentat the Funen Art Academy under Lars Bent Petersen, and in 2001 she started at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. During her five years of study, she had Lone Høyer Hansen, Yvette Brackman and Henrik B. Andersen as professors, and Henrik B. Andersen as MA thesis supervisor.

The two artists met during their studies in 1999 at the Funen Art Academy in Odense and began working together the same year with their first show "Go Construct" at DFKU, the Funen Art Academy's exhibition venue. They collaborated on many projects during their study years and graduated together.

Work and themes

Since the beginning of their collaborative practice, Hesselholdt & Mejlvang have worked in a variety of media to create their distinctive expressions, using both classical expression such as sculpture, ceramics, photography, installation, and more contemporary approaches with large scenographic arrangements and performance art.[3]

After their first show during their study, the duo worked with produced and found objects placed together in subtle arrangements (Krydstogt på Syndfloden Press Release), stuffed animals - often camouflaged - and taking up political and societal topics such as consumerism and immigration. During this period, they created their first wooden fence piece, which, together with the stuffed animals and flags, would later become one of their recognisable modes of expression.

The Black Flag

In 2008, they began working with flags, more precisely a black flag. The latter, combined with a black fence and a hidden rose garden, formed the installation "Barrikade" which was awarded a prize by the Danish Arts Foundation.[4] Further exhibitions have included, once again, stuffed animals and found objects such as fences/barriers, both indoor and outdoor types. Mørkemænd / Dark Men, a project for the biennial Socle du Monde in Herning, brought a lot of attention to their practice and would later be acquired by the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Political aesthetic

With The Perfect Storm[5] in 2009, they unleashed a big exhibition featuring a whole new body of works, comprising ceramic, burned (black) flags, stuffed painted camouflage birds, crocodiles and other animals, and miniature recreations of spaces. A broken dystopian environment where Hesselholdt & Mejlvang reflected on political, cultural, and societal issues. The same year, they exhibited in Germany, Sweden and Denmark. In the next years they keep working with fences, and in 2010 they took part in the exhibition Party and Lost at Den Frie Udstilling. Party and Lost was a group of groups formed in 2009 by four artist groups: Randi & Katrine, Hesselholdt & Mejlvang, Bank & Rau, and the remains of Ingen Frygt. The group of groups set out to explore the nature of community as a source of both power and loss of self.[6]

During the years 2011–2013, they began working with the colours red and white in their installations, later adding black. Flags, fences and animals were still a signature in their practice, now joined by carpets, 1:1 recreations of spaces and more ceramic handmade objects. Nationalism, racism and symbolism were at the core of their message and practice.

Shades of skin

From 2014 to 2019, they addressed western values, ethnicity, looks, religion, and socio-political commitments of modern life, working with flags, drapes and stuffed animals. Pomp and Ceremony - Shades of Skin (the name of their first solo exhibition in Finland) was the core of their production of works.

Performance

From 2017 onwards, performance has become an integral part of their practice. With embroidery and collaborative artworks, they created big installations and performances in Palermo during Manifesta 12, and in Thorvaldsens Museum in Copenhagen. The scale of their work has increased, bringing into play big embroidery works, balloon installations, big ceramic objects and public performances. In the later years they make also use of different media, spacing from newspapers to the digital world engaging more actively in debates and discussions, addressing topics such as language, ethnicity, religion, cultural expression and political structures.

Projects and exhibitions (selected)

Solo exhibitions

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2009

2007

2006

2001

2000

Group exhibitions

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2003

Performances

2020

2019

2018

2017

Commissions

Collections (selected)

Books and catalogues

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Det Fynske Kunstakademi . 9 March 2021 . detfynskekunstakademi.dk . 25 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125021201/https://detfynskekunstakademi.dk/ . live .
  2. Web site: Afgang Billedkunstskolerne - Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi . 9 March 2021 . kunstakademiet.dk . da . 20 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200820153335/https://kunstakademiet.dk/da/aktiviteter-og-nyheder/afgang . live .
  3. Web site: 11 March 2015 . Ugens kunstnere - Hesselholdt & Mejlvang . 9 March 2021 . kunsten.nu - Online magasin og kalender for billedkunst . da-DK . 12 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160712202300/http://kunsten.nu/journal/ugens-kunstnere-hesselholdt-mejlvang/ . live .
  4. Web site: Årsberetning 2008, Statens Kunstfond . 29 March 2021 . Issuu . en . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180003/https://issuu.com/kunststyrelsen/docs/statens_kunstfonds_aarsberetning_2008 . live .
  5. Web site: The Perfect Storm . 29 March 2021 . V1 Gallery . 26 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226071046/https://v1gallery.com/exhibition/the-perfect-storm/ . live .
  6. Web site: Party and Lost . 11 March 2021 . Den Frie . da-DK . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180025/https://denfrie.dk/udstilling/party-and-lost/ . live .
  7. Web site: This Boat with a Broken Rim- Curated by Phalguni Guliani . 15 March 2021 . Mumbai Gallery Weekend . en-US.
  8. Web site: 18 August 2020 . Dansk kunstners lalleglade balloner er et uudholdeligt kunstværk . 15 March 2021 . Politiken . da-DK . 30 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130215019/https://politiken.dk/kultur/art7883328/Dansk-kunstners-lalleglade-balloner-er-et-uudholdeligt-kunstv%C3%A6rk . live .
  9. Web site: 13 September 2019 . Billedserie: FLAG - objekt, ikon, symbol . 15 March 2021 . kunsten.nu - Online magasin og kalender for billedkunst . da-DK . 26 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126005729/https://kunsten.nu/journal/billedserie-flag-objekt-ikon-symbol/ . live .
  10. Web site: 29 March 2019 . Earth - Body . 15 March 2021 . c-print . en . 26 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226094828/https://www.c-print.se/post/2019/03/29/earth-body . live .
  11. Web site: Cool, calm and collected . 15 March 2021 . kunsten.nu - Online magasin og kalender for billedkunst . da-DK . 24 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124030301/https://kunsten.nu/artguide/calendar/cool-calm-and-collected/ . live .
  12. Web site: 17 May 2017 . Socle du Monde Biennale 2017 pays tribute to the Italian artist Piero Manzoni . 14 April 2021 . Biennial Foundation . en-US . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130524/https://www.biennialfoundation.org/2017/05/14556/ . live .
  13. Web site: CARTE BLANCHE at the French Embassy – IMMART . 15 March 2017 . 15 March 2021 . en-GB . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180052/https://immart.dk/carte-blanche/ . live .
  14. Web site: Carte Blanche . 14 April 2021 . Natalia Gutman . en-US . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130513/https://www.nataliagutman.dk/carte-blanche . live .
  15. Web site: En blank og vårfrisk dag . 15 March 2021 . kunsten.nu - Online magasin og kalender for billedkunst . da-DK . 19 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161019055610/http://kunsten.nu/artguide/calendar/blank-vaarfrisk-dag/ . live .
  16. Web site: NOT AT HOME SKULPTURI . 14 April 2021 . skulpturi.dk . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130513/http://skulpturi.dk/node/57 . live .
  17. Web site: Silent Review . 14 April 2021 . sandaleum.org . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130514/https://sandaleum.org/silent-review.html . live .
  18. Web site: KRITISK FORM / CRITICAL FORMS SKULPTURI . 14 April 2021 . skulpturi.dk . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130514/http://skulpturi.dk/node/10 . live .
  19. Web site: 31 October 2007 . Match Race på Nordjyllands Kunstmuseum . 14 April 2021 . kunsten.nu - Online magasin og kalender for billedkunst . da-DK . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414130525/https://kunsten.nu/journal/match-race-paa-nordjyllands-kunstmuseum/ . live .
  20. Web site: A Beautiful Act of Patriotism Ny Carlsbergfondet . 10 March 2021 . www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180025/https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/en/node/78701 . live .
  21. Web site: Eventyrlig Legeplads . 10 March 2021 . Thing Brandt Landskab . da-DK . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180041/https://www.thing-brandt.dk/eventyrlig-legeplads . live .
  22. Web site: Hesselholdt & Mejlvang – Deep Forrest Art Land . 10 March 2021 . www.deepforestartland.dk . 27 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210227105119/https://www.deepforestartland.dk/artist/hesselholdt-mejlvang/ . live .
  23. Web site: INAUGURATION OF HESSELHOLDT & MEJLVANG'S SITE SPECIFIC WORK COMMON LANGUAGE AT KVINDEHJEMMET . 10 March 2021 . V1 Gallery . 17 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117213918/https://v1gallery.com/newspost/inauguration-of-hesselholdt-mejlvangs-site-specific-work-common-language-at-kvindehjemmet/ . live .
  24. Web site: Hesselholt & Mejlvang . 10 March 2021 . TOMMERUP CERAMIC WORKCENTER - production of ceramic art and decoration for leading international artists . da-DK . 26 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181026053459/http://keramos.dk/?page_id=611 . live .
  25. Web site: In Search of an Enemy 1-9, 2012 – 2013 . 9 March 2021 . SMK Open . da . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180024/https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/parts/kks2016-20/5 . live .
  26. Web site: CLAY samlingen - Clay Keramikmuseum i Middelfart . 10 March 2021 . Clay . en . 25 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125033508/https://claymuseum.dk/clay-samlingen/ . live .
  27. Web site: Bølge 2 Ny Carlsbergfondet . 10 March 2021 . www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180033/https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/en/node/64942 . live .
  28. Web site: Bølge 3 Ny Carlsbergfondet . 10 March 2021 . www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180034/https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/en/node/72652 . live .
  29. Web site: KUNSTEN AALBORG ACQUIRES MØRKEMÆND BY HESSELHOLDT & MEJLVANG . 10 March 2021 . V1 Gallery . 19 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119153952/https://v1gallery.com/newspost/kunsten-aalborg-acquires-morkemaend-by-hesselholdt-mejlvang/ . live .
  30. https://www.arbejdermuseet.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/aarsrapport_2017.pdf The Workers Museum Year Rapport 2017
  31. Web site: Hope NOT Fear Ny Carlsbergfondet . 10 March 2021 . www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180021/https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/en/node/164517 . live .
  32. Web site: Kunst database Ny Carlsbergfondet . 10 March 2021 . www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk . 10 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180036/https://www.ny-carlsbergfondet.dk/en/soeg-i-kunsten?text=hesselholdt+&+mejlvang=&year%5Bmin%5D=&year%5Bmax%5D= . live .
  33. Web site: ALLES KUNST – Ønskeudstilling « Aalborg Kommunes Kunstfond . 10 March 2021 . www.akkunstfond.dk . 28 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210228164621/http://www.akkunstfond.dk/alles-kunst/ . live .
  34. Web site: ALLES KUNST 2017 « Aalborg Kommunes Kunstfond . 10 March 2021 . www.akkunstfond.dk . 23 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200123164229/http://www.akkunstfond.dk/alles-kunst-2/ . live .
  35. Web site: Sculptures Saxo Collection . 10 March 2021 . en-US . 20 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020170121/http://www.collection.saxo/saxo-collection/sculptures/ . live .