MELK proudly presents the exhibition titled Silk & Sour by the artist-duo Stian Ådlandsvik and Lutz-Rainer Müller.

May 24 – June 22 2013

In Silk & Sour Ådlandsvik and Müller utilize their collaboration and their own bodies as a point of departure to revisit photography, sculpture and abstract painting. There is a certain performative aspect in the creation of the works for the exhibition, in which the duo reflect on both themselves and the artist role – using irony and wit. The works show fragments of the situation of creation revealing the duo’s alluring collaborative nature.

CAT scans of the radius and ulna bones from the artists’ arms are transformed into porcelain salt and pepper shakers, cocktails into paintings, and evening suits into abstracted photographs. In addition, the office chair of the gallery has been remodelled; fitted with a stove and connected to the gallery door, the artists have ensured themselves that the gallerist will have a warm alert every time visitors arrive.

Despite that the traces of the artists’ bodies and performances are profoundly present in the art works, the self becomes deconstructed and nearly eliminated.

Stian Ådlandsvik (b.1981) and Lutz-Rainer Müller (b. 1977) have worked together since 2006, and both hold degrees from the Oslo Academy of Fine Art. Ådlandsvik also attended the Hochschule für bildende Künste, Hamburg. Müller attended the Art Academy of Bergen, and additionally achieved a degree from Muthesius Kunsthochschule in Kiel. As a duo they have exhibited broadly in Europe. They live and work in Oslo and Leipzig.

The exhibition is accompanied by a paper sharing its title, featuring an essay written by Jan Freuchen, to be released on the opening night.

MELK is supported by the Arts Council Norway and Norwegian Photographic Fund.