Lisa Torell
"Identity, Definitions and Mantras"
22.06.07 -02.09.07
curator: Stina Högkvist
22.06.07 -02.09.07
curator: Stina Högkvist
Identity, Definitions and Mantras
by Stina Högkvist
Lisa Torell(SE) works with text, installations and social interaction. Her analysis of urban environments and communication between people, functions both on an overall as well as on a specific level. By connecting personal patterns, choices of words, train of thoughts and social structures she manages to question Normality.
Thoughts around communication and consumption constitute a central part of “Identity, Definitions and Mantras”. This work deals with the relationship between “us” and “the Other”. A cornerstone is the problematics of representation.
Lisa Torell exhibits a questioning attitude towards what can be perceived as a far too political correct way of thinking, a way of thinking that at times can be elitist and automatic. Or put in another way, that in our quest to be politically correct, we actually end up consuming those whom we wish to empathize with.
In search of a good conscience we seem to have lost what we’re looking for.
A recurring theme in Lisa Torrell’s art is language as a bearer of meaning and difference. In her eyes language is just as estethisized as the consumer society we inhabit.
Even in “Identity, Definitions and Mantras” text constitutes an integral part. The language is engaging, quick and accurate. The jargon “us and them” seems familiar and just as empty as an insipid mantra.
In addition the work is also about how we consume our own as well as others identities.
by Stina Högkvist
Lisa Torell(SE) works with text, installations and social interaction. Her analysis of urban environments and communication between people, functions both on an overall as well as on a specific level. By connecting personal patterns, choices of words, train of thoughts and social structures she manages to question Normality.
Thoughts around communication and consumption constitute a central part of “Identity, Definitions and Mantras”. This work deals with the relationship between “us” and “the Other”. A cornerstone is the problematics of representation.
Lisa Torell exhibits a questioning attitude towards what can be perceived as a far too political correct way of thinking, a way of thinking that at times can be elitist and automatic. Or put in another way, that in our quest to be politically correct, we actually end up consuming those whom we wish to empathize with.
In search of a good conscience we seem to have lost what we’re looking for.
A recurring theme in Lisa Torrell’s art is language as a bearer of meaning and difference. In her eyes language is just as estethisized as the consumer society we inhabit.
Even in “Identity, Definitions and Mantras” text constitutes an integral part. The language is engaging, quick and accurate. The jargon “us and them” seems familiar and just as empty as an insipid mantra.
In addition the work is also about how we consume our own as well as others identities.
Identity is not static, but place specific. Our identity at home may be a little more individualistic whereas away our identity changes from being private to nationalistic.
Questioning others or approaching others also involves questioning oneself, one’s background and one’s theories. The question is whether it at all is fruitful to divide into terms of them and us? The danger is that this leads to a polarization, resulting in a domination of the one over the other. Singling out differences can lead to emphasis on sameness, which in the long run only leads to violence on our comprehension.
for more info: Lisa Torell
Questioning others or approaching others also involves questioning oneself, one’s background and one’s theories. The question is whether it at all is fruitful to divide into terms of them and us? The danger is that this leads to a polarization, resulting in a domination of the one over the other. Singling out differences can lead to emphasis on sameness, which in the long run only leads to violence on our comprehension.
for more info: Lisa Torell
