Geir Harald Samuelsen: Images of Gravity
Research Fellow at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim Academy of Fine Art
The objective of the project is to produce pictures and texts that establish a new and hybrid field of study, based on the research fellow's experiences both as an artist and a climber. In other words, the project examines climbing and art as two overlapping experiences.
How does the experience of creating pictures change when deliberately cross-pollinated with my mountain-climbing experiences? And in what way do the end results – i.e. my pictures – turn out differently, precisely because the process of making them has been heavily influenced by the process of climbing?
Put another way, the research project will examine whether it is possible to use my experience of climbing as a metaphor for art production. And, conversely, whether it is possible to use art as a metaphor for climbing.
I intend to challenge art production by describing it in climbing terminology and regarding it in the light of climbing philosophy and climbing techniques.
And I shall challenge climbing by describing it in the terminology of art theory and by regarding it in the light of aesthetics and artistic techniques.
To a large extent, I will use myself as a "case" and my own works as the subject of my studies. Notes and drawings from the "field" will be important ingredients and will be used as a basis for the written part of the assignment.
The practical part of the research project will at least consist of films and probably some paintings.
Hands in light, videostill