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Exhibition 'Christina Hemauer & Roman Keller: United Alternative Energies', Aarhus Art Building, Århus, Denmark, 22 January–3 April 2011

Opening: Friday 21 January, 17h. 17.45 Performances 'At this place, postpetrolism was heralded here on 21 January 2011' followed by the 'Postpetrolistic Internationale'.

22 January, 11am: Panel discussion with the artists

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Christina Hemauer & Roman Keller, still from 'A Road Not Taken' (2010). Courtesy of the artists.

Christina Hemauer & Roman Keller: United Alternative Energies’ is the most expansive presentation of their work to date, featuring ten works, four of which are new productions.

Swiss artists Christina Hemauer and Roman Keller investigate energy – as an allegorical concept, an invisible force, and a defining theme of geopolitics and modernity. One of the main focuses of their practice is the history of oil and the fate and future of its competing alternatives, notably solar power.

Hemauer | Keller make use of a range of strategies – re-enactment and performance, as well as documentary video, sculpture and text. Their work often provides an opportunity to revitalize key historical moments. For example, the 66 minute documentary essay ‘A Road Not Taken’ (2010) examines former US President Jimmy Carter’s early and ultimately futile efforts to raise awareness about oil dependency, as symbolized by the installation, in 1979, of solar panels on the White House roof.

Also featured in this exhibition is No.1 Sun Engine (2008–9). In 1913, American inventor Frank Shuman inaugurated the first large-scale solar power generator near Cairo, Egypt. Although it was economically viable compared to coal power, the plant was only used for one year. The artists reconstructed two segments of this pioneering facility and established an information kiosk where local residents and passers-by could discover and contribute to its story.

Globalising the Internationale (2006–ongoing) is a choral work which refers to the songs of socialism and the workers' movements – one of the most widespread social upheavals of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. With this project, the artists aim to use the collective force of the human voice to herald a new age of alternative energy beyond fossil fuels. (+ info...)

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No.1 Sun Engine (2008–9). Courtesy of the artists.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Christina Hemauer (1973) and Roman Keller (1969) live and work in Zurich, Switzerland. Recent exhibitions and projects include: Globalising the Internationale, for Portscapes (2009) and Portscapes exhibition, at the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (2010); 11th Cairo International Biennale, El Cairo (2008–9), Nettoyage énergétique, Center Contemporary Art Fribourg (2007), A Manifestation, a Dedication and a Place to get the Word out, Swiss Art Awards, Basilea (2007); At this place, Postpetrolism was heralded on 27 April 2006, Kunsthof, Zurich (2006).

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

The exhibition is one of the 5 proposals selected from over 600, received via Aarhus Art Building's open submission call, and launches the 2011 season 'IMAGINE – towards an eco-aesthetic'.

A 36-page full colour catalogue in English and Danish will be published on the occasion of the exhibition. It includes an introductory essay by the curators on the artists' practice as well as short texts about each of the works presented in the exhibition.

Christina Hemauer & Roman Keller: United Alternative Energies’ has been possible thanks to the generous support of The Danish Arts Council Committee for International Visual Art; Pro Helvetia and the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation.

PRESS IMAGES
Please contact Pernille Lyngsø, [email protected] or phone +45 86 20 60 53.
Press photos can be downloaded at www.aarhuskunstbygning.dk

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The Aarhus Art Building | J.M. Mørks Gade 13 | DK - 8000 Århus C | DINAMARCA | MAPA

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About Latitudes

Latitudes is a Barcelona-based [41º23’ N, 2º 11’ E] independent curatorial office initiated in April 2005 by Max Andrews and Mariana Cánepa Luna. Latitudes collaborates with artists and institutions in the conception, organisation and production of exhibitions, public commissions, conferences, editorial and research initiatives across local, pan-European and international situations. Latitudes is part of Plataforma Curatorial and Hangar Programming Committee (2010–12). Latitudes was awarded the GAC 2010 curatorial prize given by the Catalan gallery association.

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