21. February - 29. March 2009
In Icelandic, the word verund is not common in everyday usage: the meaning, derived from the Greek concept to on, is essence or ontology. And Helgi Gíslason has adopted this word for the title of his show. Essence is not a tangible object, but an intangible reality – yet the concept has shaped the history of western thought over the centuries, from the days of Ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived 2,400 years ago. Plato is the father of what has become known as idealism, as well as being one of the precursors of Christian religious philosophy and culture. The concept of essence entails the idea that reality may not be what it appears to be: for there is also what Nobel-prizewinning novelist Halldór Laxness called “the reality behind reality.” Poets Snorri Hjartarson and Steinn Steinarr have expressed similar ideas: man’s roots lie in essence: he exists in that mystery (the verb to exist derives from the Latin ex-istere – to stand out, arise, become).
The reality “behind reality” is a mystery which is manifested in immutable ideals and ideas: the supreme ones being goodness, beauty and truth. Thus essence comes to man; in that which is always present; in ideals and ideas with which man is familiar without knowing it, and to which he will look, without knowing where and what they are. His way to reach them is through the good, the beautiful and the true. These are the roots of classical aesthetics.
Helgi Gíslason is an artist in the tradition of classical idealism. The artist is in a quest for essence; he seeks it by means which he does not know in advance, but hopes to find his way by being true to his art. But when is an artist true to his art? When is he on the path to essence? Many of his works include forms which refer to Man. Is he on the way to existence? Can he hope to reach his destination?
Knowledge is the only path to what is true and reliable. The works make reference to objects which enhance human knowledge, and thus yield benefits: what man does with his knowledge is another story. A spirit-level, a geometrical compass a balance, a wheel. All of them means for man to define, measure and locate himself in reality.
But reality is not the same as essence; human existence is not “the reality behind reality” but a mysterious world where man cannot avoid self-doubt. These are the ideas Helgi Gíslason addresses. The artist is always heading towards essence, which is never close at hand.
Text by Gunnar Kristjánsson
Translation Anna Yates
ESSENCE - Helgi Gíslason
Helgi Gíslason is one of the most known living sculptors in Iceland and one can find his sculptures all over the country. This exhibition displays his drawings, reliefs and other sculptures however the theme of the exhibition is an examination of the drawing and its purpose in making art. The works reflect drawing in a very wide sense.In Icelandic, the word verund is not common in everyday usage: the meaning, derived from the Greek concept to on, is essence or ontology. And Helgi Gíslason has adopted this word for the title of his show. Essence is not a tangible object, but an intangible reality – yet the concept has shaped the history of western thought over the centuries, from the days of Ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived 2,400 years ago. Plato is the father of what has become known as idealism, as well as being one of the precursors of Christian religious philosophy and culture. The concept of essence entails the idea that reality may not be what it appears to be: for there is also what Nobel-prizewinning novelist Halldór Laxness called “the reality behind reality.” Poets Snorri Hjartarson and Steinn Steinarr have expressed similar ideas: man’s roots lie in essence: he exists in that mystery (the verb to exist derives from the Latin ex-istere – to stand out, arise, become).
The reality “behind reality” is a mystery which is manifested in immutable ideals and ideas: the supreme ones being goodness, beauty and truth. Thus essence comes to man; in that which is always present; in ideals and ideas with which man is familiar without knowing it, and to which he will look, without knowing where and what they are. His way to reach them is through the good, the beautiful and the true. These are the roots of classical aesthetics.
Helgi Gíslason is an artist in the tradition of classical idealism. The artist is in a quest for essence; he seeks it by means which he does not know in advance, but hopes to find his way by being true to his art. But when is an artist true to his art? When is he on the path to essence? Many of his works include forms which refer to Man. Is he on the way to existence? Can he hope to reach his destination?
Knowledge is the only path to what is true and reliable. The works make reference to objects which enhance human knowledge, and thus yield benefits: what man does with his knowledge is another story. A spirit-level, a geometrical compass a balance, a wheel. All of them means for man to define, measure and locate himself in reality.
But reality is not the same as essence; human existence is not “the reality behind reality” but a mysterious world where man cannot avoid self-doubt. These are the ideas Helgi Gíslason addresses. The artist is always heading towards essence, which is never close at hand.
Text by Gunnar Kristjánsson
Translation Anna Yates