VIDEO: Tove Storch-Slumping
Tove Storch is considered one of the most prominent Danish artists working with sculpture in her generation. Over two months, this film follows Storch in making new sculptures for a show.
Storch emphasizes her preference for tangible expression over textual or manifestos in the interview. She articulates her desire to capture abstract thoughts in concrete forms, stating, “I have captured my thoughts in something very concrete – which I don’t know where else to put.” She explores the interplay between physical reality and the creative process, remarking, “Carrying it out is different than just having the idea.”
Storch’s sculptures, characterized by their unconventional materials and shapes, prompt contemplation on fundamental questions about the universe, society, and the nature of creativity. She elucidates her approach, noting, “I’ve always thought that creativity arises from freedom – which is very raw and spontaneous and unregulated.”
The interview offers glimpses into Storch’s studio practice, showcasing her meticulous experimentation with materials such as soap to create evocative sculptures. She reflects on her process’s inherent tension between control and spontaneity, acknowledging, “I’ve always struggled with it. It’s very wrong to be creative and controlled.”
Furthermore, Storch provides insights into the symbolism in her works, particularly regarding gender and geometry. She challenges traditional categorizations of masculine and feminine aesthetics, asserting, “It’s interesting because I want to change it. Because it’s not true of me.”
As the interview unfolds, Storch’s passion for her craft and commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression becomes palpable. Her exploration of balance, collapse, and the interplay between structure and spontaneity offers viewers a deeper understanding of her creative vision.
The title ”Slumping” relates to a term used within glass production and slang for exhaustion and laziness. “Slumping” is a technique Storch recently discovered at GLAS’s studio, where she produced a new body of work for Gammel Strand. The new work is a collaboration between Gammel Strand and the museum GLAS in Ebeltoft, Denmark, where Tove Storch will also present her solo exhibition in November 2024.
Tove Storch was born in 1981 and is a renowned contemporary artist known for her innovative sculptures that blur the boundaries between materiality, form, and symbolism. She studied at The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and holds an MFA from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Her works often challenge traditional notions of gender and aesthetic categorizations, inviting viewers to reconsider their perceptions of space and structure. Through her works, Storch explores fundamental questions about the universe, society, and the nature of creativity, offering viewers a unique perspective on the complexities of the human experience. Tove Storch lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tove Storch was interviewed by Christian Lund in her Studio in Copenhagen and on her exhibition “Slumping” at Gammel Strand, an international art center, in Copenhagen during December 2023 and January – February 2024. All installation shots from “Slumping” are made by David Stjernholm. Camera and edit: Jarl Therkelsen Kaldan, Produced by Christian Lund, © Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2024 Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet and C.L. Davids Fond og Samling