Viktor Pedersen
Navlebeskue
The Window Room and the Cabinet
12.09.—13.10.2024

Viktor Pedersen is showcasing a new film production in the Cabinet, as well as a series of sculptures in the Window Room. The film Navlebeskue (Navel-gazing) is a speculative exploration of how the body exists both as a haunted place and as haunting its surroun­dings. Pedersen draws from the often nega­tively charged term ‘navel-gazing’, which origi­nates from a meditation technique.

This technique involves gazing into ones own navel to contemplate humanity’s place in the cosmos, potentially giving a glimpse into the divine infinity. A seemingly closed gesture can thus be broadening: In his work, Pedersen reflects on the idea that the self and the body are not one closed unit with total agency, but extends far beyond itself, encompassing others. This might include the lives, environ­ments, and experiences of our ancestors haun­ting the body and contribute to shaping our present lives.

We follow a poetic narrative that touches on life cycles, ghosts, genes, and dust. Stardust and dust from the body circulate as an image of the continuum between micro and macro, and between the concrete, worldly and the spiritual. In one scene of the film, we enter the artist’s navel and meet the inhabitants of his body: his parents, who, among other things, are doing chores such as of vacuuming.

Vacuum cleaners also inhabit the Window Room. Here, we find a series of sculptures made from silicone and hair, materials that can evoke bodily associations. Pedersen finds dust as an interesting link between humans and the envi­ron­ment. The humanity is said to originate from cosmic stardust, while generating dust through the shedding of dead skin cells is a natural byproduct of existence.

Viktor Pedersen (b. 1988) works inter­discip­li­narily with video, text, sound, and sculpture. In his artistic practice, he is interested in ex­ploring more-than-human subjects (in order) to challenge the power relations between humans and other life forms in nature. In past projects, he has worked with exploration of microscopic agents, such as bacteria and yeast. Through these perspectives, he seeks to subvert the established understanding of humans as autonomous beings, and that we are less in control than we think.

Pedersen holds an MFA from Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2020) and a BFA from the Tromsø Academy of Arts (2016). Recent solo exhibitions include Dancing With Dionysos, Galleri Memphis, Oslo (2022), and The Skin, A Border, Studio 17, Stavanger (2021). He has participated in several group exhi­bitions, including Earthworks, Bergen Kunsthall (2024), Screen City Biennale, Berlin (2022), Arctic Arts Festival, Harstad (2021), and the Autumn Exhibition, Kunstnernes Hus (2020). He is the founder and organiser of the inter­disci­plinary platform Wild Seeds.

The sculptures are made in collaboration with visual artist Ole-André Greger Eriksen.

The artist also wishes to thank; Mother and Father, Rickard Aall, Miriam Hansen, Una Ulrikke Lund Hanssen, Damla Kilickiran, Kim Groustra, Thomas Rodahl, and the technical team and staff of Kunstnerforbundet. The exhibition is produced with support from Arts and Culture Norway and the Norwegian Visual Artists Fund (BKV).