Performance Art Bergen

- Where were you born?

Bergen

- Where do you live?

Bergen and Lofoten

- What pronouns do you use?

She/her

– What makes you work with performance?

In general, I work within a wide spectre of methods and materials, and performance is one of big importance in my art production. I started out as a ‘picture’ maker in the -80ies, but entering the -90ies I looked for more confronting and direct ways of presenting art. Performance became the solution. I still consider myself a ‘picture maker’, where also live situations is included along with my installations, sculpture and video works.

– Do you have any rituals before performing?

Before starting, I like to concentrate at least for 30 min. I do not eat heavy meals during a day of performance and I like to work through my body; emphasising nails, skin, and hair as well as warming up or stretching a bit.

– What was the best performance you have done so far? Why?

That is very hard to tell, I have done a big number over the years with many variations, in materials and teams, alone and in collaboration with one or more partners.

– Are you currently working on any performance?

This spring I am preparing for the event Håsong at Osterøy that will take place Saturday 27th of June. I really am looking forward to develop something new, to surprise myself and hopefully also the audience! Probably the outcome of this work will partly result in my contributions to Kraft Gallery and the group project VEGGEN that will take place between 8th of May and 26th of August, also this year.

– What advice would you give to someone who is interested in working with performance?

Be curious and brave! Listen to your inner voice, but also to your colleagues and to the audience. Do not be afraid of cutting details and work on simplifying the whole of a composition. I have never regretted doing that myself.

– Can you give us a few names of performance artists who inspire you?

This is of course very difficult after having worked with art for over 40 years. There are so many inspiring artists. It is easy to mention big important artist like Gina Pane, Meret Oppenheim and many more, but to be honest, for me the local art scene has been of greater importance, artists I have seen doing beautiful performances, feeling their intensity of the moment. The first performance I ever saw, was done by Kurt Johannessen in 1984. He later has become a good friend, a discussion partner and fellow organizer of performance art. Other inspiring artist from our local scene is Anette F. Johannessen and Pavana Reid. Both representing a sophisticated and personal artistic language. Finally I will mention Marilyn Arsem for broadening my horizon of time, a fantastic performance artist!