Lone Skov Madsen and Per Ahlmann:
Checkpoint

Welcome to the opening Thursday 2 May 5 – 8 pm
On Saturday 4 May at 2 pm you are invited to an Artist Talk with Lone Skov Madsen and Per Ahlmann

Lone Skov Madsen and Per Ahlmann:
Checkpoint
2 – 25 May 2013

Dogmatic dialogue. Objects that mirror each other in space. From the ceiling, against the wall and the floor. Ceramists Lone Skov Madsen and Per Ahlmann join forces at Copenhagen Ceramics in an exhibition based on the contrast between a set brief and the unpredictability of the creative process.

For their joint exhibition Danish ceramicists Per Ahlmann and Lone Skov Madsen have made a set of common rules to play by. The concept consists in that their works are mirroring each other in a defined spatial context. The exhibition space is divided equally between them and they both respond to ten agreed forms of presentation: works on a shelf, works hanging from the ceiling or leaning against the wall, etc. The intention is to activate all planes of the space, thereby creating a room for dialogue that leaves space for and is preconditioned by the individuality of each.

The works of Lone Skov Madsen are often created in long, consecutive series. There is a distinct connection between the consistency of her investigations of surfaces, material and ornament, and the endeavours behind her exploration of formal systems. She is occupied by repetitions and the rhythmic variations of shape. Her approach is cool and rational, which almost unexpectedly, leads to highly sensual and interesting tactile results.

In this exhibition she will be showing small series and singular works, testing various techniques. Forms vary from smooth simplicity to budded structures. Certain objects have diffuse dots by
the thousands sprinkled on the surfaces almost like a skin; on others net-patterns are rising up
high. Glazes are likewise put at play on both wall plates as well as on sculptural forms.

Further, on the occasion that it is now twenty years since her wall plates were first shown in Copenhagen, Lone Skov Madsen will be presenting a new series of these at Copenhagen Ceramics.

In Per Ahlmann’s ongoing project – the ceramic sculpture – he investigates how three-dimensional objects in our immediate surroundings, more or less intentionally, are present and relates to their environment. As he states:

‘The spectrum of the field of sculpture is enormous. If I would try to categorize my position, it would be one of working with sculpture that is about sculpture. I consider a sculpture to be successful if it
is self-reliant. When it appears as a representation of something you ought to recognize, while being completely abstract. For a sculpture to evoke this sentiment it must contain credibility and possess a natural obviousness in the juxtapositions of the single sculptural elements and the transitions between these parts’.

On his working with the clay itself, Per Ahlmann says: ‘Technically, I have great pleasure in ‘tightening up’ a form. It’s fantastic to build up a volume of clay quite carelessly and then, in the leather-hard state, to smooth it out with tools, water, sponge, etc, until the surface becomes delicate to the touch. But the opposite of this is attractive too: the traces of a quick elaboration. It may actually be this very characteristic of clay, that I value the most – the way in which ‘time’ so easily is transmitted to and manifests itself in this compliant material’.

The artists have both exhibited widely in Denmark and internationally and their works are included in several museums and private collections. Lone Skov Madsen has shown at e.g. ‘Freestyle, North Gallery, Copenhagen. 2012; XXI International Biennale of Vallauris, France, 2010; ”Time Out”, Designmuseum Danmark, 2009; Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 2008. Her works are at Designmuseum Danmark; International Museum of Ceramic Art, Grimmerhus, DK; Trapholt Art Museum, DK, and in the private collections of Erik Veistrup and The Annie and Otto Johs. Detlefs Foundation.

Per Ahlmann has exhibited at e.g. Galleri Pagter, Kolding DK, 2012; "Across", Ny Tap Carlsberg, Copenhagen, 2010; “Emergens”, International Museum of Ceramic Art ,Grimmerhus DK, 2009. His works are at Designmuseum Danmark; Ny Carlsberg Foundation, DK; Danish National Arts Council; International Museum of Ceramic Art, Grimmerhus; Le Musée Magnelli, Musée de la Ceramique, Vallauris, France and in the collections of Erik Veistrup and Annie and Otto Johs. Detlefs Foundation.

Copenhagen Ceramics invites to an artist talk with the artists on Saturday, May 4 at 2pm at the gallery.

21.11 – 14.12
Claydies and Ole Jensen