Rosalind Nashashibi’s solo exhibition in Bergen Kunsthall was the largest presentation in Scandinavia so far of Nashashibi’s work and covered her most important films from recent years, as well as photographic works. Nashashibi’s films are poetic observations of everyday events. The camera dwells on the social interaction that arises in human relations where the actors seem to hesitate between simply ‘being themselves’ and playing various socially defined roles. The artist makes effective use of the cinematic qualities of 16 mm film, and consciously uses the film medium’s quality to create a fundamentally time-based experience. Despite documentary restraint, Nashashibi’s films are not documentary films. They are as much poetic film collages, coloured by a subjective camera eye where the artist’s presence is always palpable.
Like the exhibition itself, this publication is the result of a collaboration project between ICA, London, and Bergen Kunsthall. The book begins with a preface written by the curators Solveig Øvstebø (Bergen Kunsthall) and Mark Sladen (ICA, London), and ends with an interview in which the curators discuss the exhibition with the artist. This comprehensive presentation of Nashashibi’s art production shows many of the stills from her 16 mm films, as well as examples from her photographic works, and not least also In Rehearsal and Jack Straw’s Castle – two brand new works that were produced for the exhibitions in Bergen Kunsthall and at the ICA. The catalogue also offers two new essays written by Martin Herbert and Dieter Roelstraete. Along with Rosalind Nashashibi’s own short textual contribution, the material as a whole offers very broad and detailed insight into Nashashibi’s oeuvre.
Published by: Bergen Kunsthall, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 2009
Editors: Isla Leaver-Yap
Artist: Rosalind Nashashibi
Texts: Rosalind Nashashibi, Martin Herbert, Dieter Roelstraete, Solveig Øvstebø and Mark Sladen (interview with the artist)
Design: Sara De Bondt studio
Pages: 96
Illustrations: 105
ISBN: 978-1-900300-62-9
Soft-cover: 21 × 30 cm
Price: EUR 19 / NOK 150