Stille Forvandling / Silent Metamorphosis, July 3. - 31., 2022
Exhibition in The Abbot´s House by Utstein Monastery, Mosterøy, Stavanger, Norway
Curated by Arnhild Sunnanå

Johann W. von Goethe's color theory states that yellow and blue are the two primary colours, while red occurs. He points out that in living nature, everything that happens is interconnected within the whole. Goethe quotes the poet Friedrich von Schiller: On the horizon, yellow and blue meet between the sky and the earth. Sometimes a culmination arises in the sky, and creates purple. When this occurs and if we are receptive, we might experience a similar revelation within ourselves.

The title of this exhibition, Silent Metamorphosis, is inspired by a series of monumental drawings Aanestad has developed since 2020. One of these drawings you will now find in the Abbot's house, centred on one of the walls accompanied by a painting on canvas made in 2022.

The artworks resonate with the architecture of the Abbot's house and the Utstein Monastery's medieval history. The Augustinian monks living at Utstein Monastery were influenced by the Benedictine order. This order encouraged monks in general to settle at one place, and instead make their pilgrim travels intellectually. Around the year 520 Benedict of Nursia initiated stabilitas loci - remain in one place - as one of the fundamental living principles for the monks. Without having to leave the Monastery, they could experience an inner journey developing a quiet transition. The arrangement of Aanestad’s art surrounded by whitewashed stone walls in this spacious room, might create a special sensation for the audience.

The two parallell exhibitions by Aanestad; Silent Metamorphosis in the Abbot's House and Blå Toner, Stedlig ro at Utstein Kloster Hotel's foyer close by, both contrasts and complements each other.

- Arnhild Sunnanå

Photo: Jan Inge Haga

Utstein Monastery is part of Stavanger Museum.