Press Release
Nina Canell’ artistic practice does not revolve around the finished artwork; instead, it foregrounds process and synergy.
For the Berlinische Galerie, she has conceived an experiential installation that considers the material vitality of calcite. Literally crumbling under our own weight, seven tonnes of shells speak up from the ground, causing a sensation remote from that of walking on a gallery floor. Yet, crushed calcite from marine molluscs is an essential ingredient in concrete, a major constituent of our built environment. Here, the biomineral forms that feed the construction industry break down over the course of the exhibition. Material stress gives way to a sounding, durational sculpture, inviting us to consider the ineffable number of broken bodies that hold us up.
Nina Canell, Tectonic Tender
Berlinische galerie, Berlin (Germany)
30.04 - 22.08.2022
This exhibition brings together several of Canell’ sculptural works and a video created with long-
Nina Canell was born in Växjö in 1979, studied in Dublin, and lives in Berlin. Selected solo exhibitions include: S.M.A.K, Gent; The Artist’ Institute, New York (with Milford Graves); Moderna Museet, Stockholm; Arko Art Center, Seoul; Camden Arts Centre, London; Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin (with Rolf Julius); and the Fridericianum, Kassel. Canell has participated in the Venice, Sydney, Lyon, Gwangju, Manifesta, Cuenca, and Liverpool biennials, as well as in major exhibitions at MoMA, New York; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Museo Tamayo, Mexico City; and the Guggenheim, Bilbao.
Exhibition 30 April -
© ArtCatalyse International / Marika Prévosto 2022. All Rights Reserved
Nina Canell, "Muscle Memory (7 Tonnes)", Hardscaping material from marine molluscs, Dimensions variable, 2022
© Photograph by Robin Watkins
