PRESENTATION: Kader Attia-Whistleblower
Kader Attia uses the experience of living as a part of two cultures as a starting point to develop a dynamic practice that reflects on aesthetics and ethics of different cultures. He takes a poetic and symbolic approach to exploring the wide-ranging repercussions of Western modern cultural hegemony and colonialism on non-Western cultures, investigating identity politics of historical and colonial eras, from Tradition to Modernity, in the light of our globalized world, of which he creates a genealogy.
By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Kistefos Museum Archive
For several years, Kader Attia’s research focuses on the concept of Repair, as a constant in Human Nature, of which the modern Western Mind and the traditional extra-Occidental Thought have always had an opposite vision. From Culture to Nature, from gender to architecture, from science to philosophy, any system of life is an infinite process of repair. Kader Attia in his solo exhibition “Whistleblower” presents six captivating glass sculptures nestled in the tranquil forest south of The Twist. “Whistleblower” is the 54th work in Kistefos Museum sculpture park, contributing to the museum’s rich collection with its profound exploration of the relationship between nature and culture. Kader Attia’s “Whistleblower” is a poignant reflection on the tension between natural elements and human-made objects. The inspiration for the work comes from the sound created when the wind passes through the neck of a bottle—a simple yet powerful symbol of the interaction between nature and culture. Through this work, Attia explores how our natural environment’s immanence resists the pressures of mass consumerism, which is a major contributor to environmental degradation. In the artist’s own words, “Whistleblower” is not just a physical object, but a multisensory experience designed to involve the viewer both individually and collectively. The sculpture uses both visual and auditory stimuli to suggest an alternative approach to environmental stewardship, one that connects us intimately with nature, our loved ones, and future generations. The subtle, mysterious harmony created by the wind whistling through the bottlenecks serves as a metaphor for the need to re-evaluate humanity’s perceived superiority over nature. Attia’s work emphasizes the urgency of systemic change to preserve the natural environment, echoing the global calls from scientists and activists for more significant action. The title of the exhibition captures this dual narrative, referring both to the physical phenomenon and the moral imperative to protect our planet. Each glass sculpture was carefully sited by the artist in the Kistefos forest. The work’s formal qualities can give associations to cairns, which are commonly used to mark trails in nature – another interaction between nature and culture. The deep blue color of the hand-blown glass also reflects a rich local history: just a few kilometers south of Kistefos, the Blaafarveværket (Blue Colour Works) produced blue cobalt glass from 1776 to 1898. A short drive further south, Nøstetangen Glassworks was the first professional glassworks in Norway, established in 1741. Nøstetangen supplied fine table glassware to all of Denmark-Norway, including to the king in Copenhagen, the Danish nobility and beyond.
Photo: Kader Attia, Whistleblower, Exhibition view Kistefos Museum-Jevnaker, 2024, Courtesy the artist and Kistefos Museum
Info: Kistefos Museum, Kistefossveien 24, Jevnaker, Norway, Duration: 22/8/2024- , Days & Hours: Tue-Fri 11:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00, www.kistefosmuseum.com/
