OH, MAKE YOUR FINGERNAILS INTO SPADES, YOUR PALMS INTO SHOVELS / DOROTA GAWĘDA AND EGLĖ KULBOKAITĖ

GAWĘDA KULBOKAITĖ

×

×

×

OH, MAKE YOUR FINGERNAILS INTO SPADES, YOUR PALMS INTO SHOVELS, 01.04 – 14.05.2022, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna

At Kunstraum, you can expect a selection of the duo's recent works, which set a melancholic, elegiac tone. The title of the exhibition is a quote from a lament the duo wrote as the basis of their video installation Mouthless Part II (2021), which is also part of the exhibition. How can we relate to a present that, with Timothy Morton, shows similarities to noir fiction? A present in which we are both criminal and investigator in the same case? On the list of charges: the sixth mass extinction, the Anthropocene, and the emergence of new viruses.

However gloomy this may sound, Dorota Gawęda and Eglė Kulbokaitė do not design didactic educational pieces in their multimedia practice, nor will you leave the exhibition in deep melancholy: Their practice combines theoretical and literary references with references to Eastern European folklore in a fascinating way - with a pronounced sensitivity to sensory and material details.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers (detail).

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Death by Landscape (Fribourg), 2020

Digital print on glass, lead, larch wood frame.

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Death by Landscape (Fribourg), 2020

Digital print on glass, lead, larch wood frame.

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Death by Landscape (Fribourg), 2020

Digital print on glass, lead, larch wood frame. (detail)

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Death by Landscape (Fribourg), 2020

Digital print on glass, lead, larch wood frame. (detail)

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Hexanol (IV), 2019

Aluminium, steel, hay.

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Hexanol (IV), 2019

Aluminium, steel, hay.

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Mouthless Part II, 2021 Three-channel video installation, 23:08 min

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Votive Flowers (I–III), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

For when I look at you for a moment, then it is no longer possible for me to speak; my tongue has snapped, at once a subtle fire has stolen beneath my flesh, I see nothing with my eyes, my ears hum, sweat pours from me, a trembling seizes me all over, I am greener than grass, and it seems to me that I am a little short of dying. (I–II), 2019 Spruce wood, polished steel, deformed lab glass

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Freestanding Votive Flowers (I–VII), 2022

Stainless steel, LED flowers .

Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.

Oh, make your fingernails into spades, Your palms into shovels, Kunstraum Niederoesterreich, Vienna (exhibition view). Photo: Markus Gradwohl.