The exhibition “Deterrence and Reassurance” (Festival Exhibition, Bergen Kunsthall, summer 2024) takes the geopolitical situation in the Norwegian High North as starting point, and is a reflection on the presence of the military in the landscape and the social imaginary. The exhibition consists of an installation to walk and sit on in the form of hand-woven rugs made from military textiles, as well as screen prints and documentation from an unrealized memorial project.

In the Monday Lecture, Johannessen will talk about work methods and preparations for the Festival exhibition.

Toril Johannessen lives in Bergen and graduated from Bergen National Academy of the Arts (currently KMD) in 2008. She works across various media, such as prints, information graphics, textiles, text, and installations. Information as material is central in many of Johannessen’s projects, for example, by creating her own datasets consisting of images or words that form the basis of the works. Johannessen is interested in structures and frameworks for knowledge, from folk knowledge to scientific methodologies. The impact of historical conditions and technological developments on modes of perception is a recurring theme in her practice.

The lecture is held at Knut Knaus Auditorium, Møllendalsveien 61. The location has step free access. The lecture is held in English and is free and open to all.

Monday Lectures is a public platform combining invited guest lecturers and professors and researchers of the faculty at KMD. Monday Lectures aim to create a diverse programme of lectures exploring a wide range of disciplines and research topics. Lectures typically take place on Mondays at the Knut Knaus Auditorium and are free and open to all.

Photo credits: Thor Brødreskift