The exhibition entitled Life Force - Vitalism as an artistic impulse 1900-1930 will be shown at the Munch Museum from 17th February - 17th April 2006.
Edvard Munch, Bathing Men, 1904
People of all times have been preoccupied with the questions of "what's life?" and "what does it mean to be alive?". Through this exhibition The Munch Museum seeks to thematise Vitalism as an impulse in Nordic art during the first decades of the 1900's. The works of art reflect an attitude to art that has clear references to the natural-philosophical thinking with its ideas of a magic life force, manifest in all living things. Worshipping the force of life may be understood as a kind of ersatz religion, exalting health, strength and physical exertion. The triptych "Men Bathing" (1907) is often seen as a modern altarpiece consecrated to life itself, where the male body is shown as the physical temple for the vital forces of life.
Eugéne Jansson, Flottans badhus, (The Naval Bath House) 1907
Another distinct and positive representation of "mankind in full vigour" can be observed in the sculptures Gustav Vigeland made for the bridge in the Vigeland Park. Eugéne Janson depicts body-worshipping athletes, whilst both J.F. Willumsen and Verner Thomé sees the male youth as the embodiment of dynamic vitality and energy. The exhibition will also outline the connection to Edvard Munch's decorations in the festival hall (aula) of The University of Oslo, where the sun is depicted as the source of life's energy, surrounded by male and female nudes worshipping the light.
J.F. Willumsen, Sun and Youth, 1910
The exhibition will consist of works by Edvard Munch together with borrowed artworks by other artists from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The exhibition aims to explore new perspectives concerning Munch’s work in a Nordic context. Differing outlooks on the relationship between nature and human beings, between gender and body, between the individual and a collective/national health, as well a nation-building, will be focused upon. The project leader is Senior Curator, Ingebjørg Ydstie. The project has received economic support from Fritt Ord. A seminar will be arranged in The Munch Museum March 10th 2006.
J.A.G. Acke, Östrasalt, 1906
Sunday February 19th 13.p.m. and Thursday March 16th 17 p.m. - Chief Curator and project leader Ingebjørg Ydstie will have a guided tour in Norwegian in the exhibition.
Sunday April 2nd 13 p.m. - Curator Elsebet Kjerschow will have a guided tour in Norwegian in the exhibition.
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