KATARINA LÖFSTRÖM
The motivations behind European migration to the Americas after 1492 were often summarized as the ‘three Gs’: Gold, God, and Glory. Additionally, the reality of genocide, a fourth ‘G’, later facilitated what became known as the American ‘gold rush’ in subsequent years.
When reflecting on the ancient social contract that led to gold becoming the standard currency instead of any other element, the choice might seem somewhat arbitrary. Pyrite, a mineral commonly known as ‘Fool’s Gold’ due to its deceptively similar appearance to real gold, is a concept that Löfström explores in her installation.
The installation brings together elements of fool’s gold, ring-lights often used to smooth facial shadows in the social media echo chambers, and plants used for medicinal purposes to induce visions (some hallucinogenic) and heal mental states.
Through her installation, Löfström explores these historical and symbolic connections, juxtaposing materials, and concepts to provoke contemplation about the complex interplay of wealth, faith, ambition, and darker human realities.
Löfström’s second work in the exhibition – the looped video piece titled Vanitas, 2021, features an animated abstracted dendrogram – or mandala, a symbol representing the cosmos – that portrays the cyclical rise and fall of all species on Earth. The title alludes to the genre of still-life paintings that symbolize life’s transience and the inevitability of death. This connection highlights how human influence has accelerated ecological decay. Vanitas serves as a visual poem reflecting on the fleeting nature of existence and the profound impact of human actions on the intricate tapestry of life on Earth
Katarina Löfström (b. 1970 in Sweden, lives and works in Stockholm) has mainly worked with video and sculpture. The common denominator in Katarina Löfström’s video works is the abstraction or, rather perhaps, the extraction of something. Her computer-generated animations can be based on a city view, a horizon or a photo, but the essence itself is about emotions, phenomenon or concepts.
Solo shows include Södertälje Konsthall, Södertälje, 2023; Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, 2020; Wanås konsthall, Wanås 2018; Oslo Kunstforening 2011; and group exhibitions include Borås Internationella Skulpturbiennal, Borås 2018, The Lotus Eaters, Casa del Lago, Mexico City 2013; 6th Momentum Biennial, 2011; Blickachsen Skulpturbiennale, Bad Homburg 2019.
More info > www.katarinalofstrom.com
