Olivia Rode Hvass In Captivity but No Longer Dead



Practical information

Opening/vernissage:
September 30, 17:00 – 22:00, 2022

Additional opening hours:
October 01 – October 02, 12:00 – 18:00

By appointment:
October 03 – October 07

End event/vinissage:
October 08, 12:00 – 18:00 

Address:
Halmtorvet 11D, DK-1700 Copenhagen


In Captivity but No Longer Dead
Solo exhibition

In Ladder Space - a 19th century horse stable in the meatpacking district, which is now housing exhibitions of contemporary art - you’ll find the exhibition In Captivity But No Longer Dead - by Olivia Rode Hvass.

In the exhibition you will experience a site specific installation taking us back to the time where the horses took residence in the buildings. A universe of broken hearts, scarecrows and tapestries depicting horses in captivity and their memories of violence and grief.

The installation features works from her series of digitally woven tapestries My Heart Breaks Every Day… …Until I Run Away. They are inspired by the mysterious medieval fantasies of the Hunt of the Unicorn (La Chasse à la licorne), dating back to 1495-1505, originally depicting French noble hunters capturing an exotic unicorn. The original story celebrates the conquest of the "exotic"/the virgin by the hunter/the man. In Olivia Rode Hvass' series, the horse is the main character, and here the escape from the violent systems and relationships end up with the horses running free.

In Ladder Space we find ourselves lingering in a scenery of sorrow. A longing for change.

Olivia Rode Hvass visual artist graduated with a BA from the Jutland Academy of Fine Arts in 2021 and a masterclass with a large scholarship in TC2 weaving with Professor Corrie van Eijk-Doktor, Drachten NL. Rode Hvass works in a sculptural crossfield between textile and drawing. In recent years, she has expanded her metier to tapestries, where she combines her interest in cartoon and sketch drawing with craftsmanship in digital weaving. Her work unfolds out of an interest in identity-building in relation to the idols, emotions and expressions we are brought up with and brought up by, and the industry and history behind the textiles that surround us, intertwined in this. Rode Hvass' work has a subtle underlying humor which invites the viewer inside.

The production of the work is supported by Statens Kunstfond and Dansk Tennisfond.


Artist

Olivia Rode Hvass


Documentation

Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead, 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Mikkel Kaldal


Olivia Rode Hvass, Big Daddy, 2022. Scarecrow, butterfly bushes, thistles, broken heart chain. Photo: Mikkel Kaldal


Olivia Rode Hvass, Big Daddy (detail), 2022. Scarecrow, butterfly bushes, thistles, broken heart chain. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik

Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik

Olivia Rode Hvass, Hand Holding Memories (De dårlige minder holder i hånd), 2022. TC2-woven tapestries, upholstery, french lilies, thistles, hay. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, Hand Holding Memories (De dårlige minder holder i hånd) (detail), 2022. TC2-woven tapestries, upholstery, french lilies, thistles, hay. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, Hand Holding Memories (De dårlige minder holder i hånd) (detail), 2022. TC2-woven tapestries, upholstery, french lilies, thistles, hay. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, I cry and I cry and I cry and I cry, 2022. Pencil on paper. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Mikkel Kaldal



Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (installation), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik

Olivia Rode Hvass, Patriarchal Harmonies, 2022. Pen and marker on relief. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, Patriarchal Harmonies (detail), 2022. Pen and marker on relief. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik

Olivia Rode Hvass, Can’t seem to get out of my bed... out of my head.., 2022. TC2-woven tapestry, carved, stained and burned wood - mount made in collaboration with carpenter, Claus Hvass. Photo: Anders Aarvik

Olivia Rode Hvass, Can’t seem to get out of my bed... out of my head.. (detail), 2022. TC2-woven tapestry, carved, stained and burned wood - mount made in collaboration with carpenter, Claus Hvass. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, Can’t seem to get out of my bed... out of my head.., 2022. TC2-woven tapestry, carved, stained and burned wood - mount made in collaboration with carpenter, Claus Hvass. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, Can’t seem to get out of my bed... out of my head.. (detail), 2022. TC2-woven tapestry, carved, stained and burned wood - mount made in collaboration with carpenter, Claus Hvass. Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


Olivia Rode Hvass, In Captivity but No Longer Dead (detail), 2022. Total installation consisting of hay, rug-beaters, coins, burned butterflies, collected flora, pumpkins, broken hearts (jute, fabric scraps, yarn - made in collaboration with seemstress, Fredericke Kellberg). Photo: Anders Aarvik


About

Ladder Space is an eclectic exhibition space that encapsulates what surrounds it. In a stable building at Halmtorvet – which also functions as a studio collective – exhibitions and performances manifest, in addition to activities of more processual, temporary, and communal character.

The exhibition space strives to resemble how we encounter the world today, as leaping and association-driven, where we scroll through a reality that is intertwined, paradoxical and interchangeable. Instead of curating the exhibitions based on a single idea or a set frame of references or preferences, we examine the chaotic and paradoxical concept of housing many different practices under one roof and let themes and associations flow freely and weave in and out of the different activities. The eclectic becomes a tool to generate new meanings, understandings and coherence and use this openness towards the chaotic as a method to create new forms of dialogue and add nuance and complexity to the activities and conversations that take place in Ladder Space.


Contact

Address:
Halmtorvet 11D, DK-1700 Copenhagen

Mail:
ladder.exhibition.space@gmail.com

Social media:
Instagram

Opening hours

Open on occasion. Please refer to the specific exhibition.

Organisers and curators

Anne Sofie Skjold Møller, Anders Aarvik.

Assistance of additional members of Halmtorvet 11A-F studio collective.

Support

Copenhagen Municipality, Vesterbro Lokaludvalg, Snabslanten.

Support has been granted for specific activities and include Vesterbro Lokaludvalg, Snabslanten, Rådet for Visuel Kunst, Statens Kunstfond, Nordisk Kulturfond, Dansk Tennisfond, The Polish Embassy, Refshaleøen.

Press

Material