Artists

Julian Charrière

Press release

A large mirror of anthracite coal, an ancient forest and a rave deep inside a palm oil plantation. Experience the highly topical works of French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière, who explores humanity's relationship with nature and its role in climate change.

The exhibition Solarstalgia takes you on a journey through our planet's past and present. Be immersed in a darkened forest environment with plant species that dominated the Earth 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period. Embark on a dizzying journey through time, past abandoned coal mines and oil drilling sites. The exhibition reveals how the world we live in today is deeply intertwined with the histories of these places, spanning vast time scales and uncovering the complex interplay between past, present and future.

Julian Charrière (b. 1987) is a central figure on the international contemporary art scene. With an activist and scientific approach, he explores our perception of nature and how it has evolved over time. Charrière invites critical reflection on humanity's use of natural resources and its impact on the environment and ecosystems through all-encompassing installations. Solarstalgia is Charrière’s first solo exhibition in Scandinavia.

The exhibition title, Solarstalgia, plays on the term "solastalgia," which refers to the distress and longing felt when witnessing environmental degradation caused by climate change in one’s surroundings. The prefix "solar" relates to the sun, a recurring theme throughout the exhibition.

The exhibition is the second in ARKEN’s exhibition trilogy NATURE FUTURE, which focuses on the relationship between humanity, nature and technology.