Gallery A is set to unveil a captivating exploration into the realms of artistry and intellectual discourse with “ARNOLD,” a visionary exhibition by Norwegian artist Benedicte Aubert Ringnes. Opening its doors from October 20 to November 6, 2016, the exhibition promises to merge the vibrancy of pop art collages with the nuanced manners of contemporary impressionism, offering a profound commentary on pre- and post-Renaissance legacies.

Benedicte Aubert Ringnes, renowned for her distinctive West-Coastish romanticism, employs post-modernistic techniques to juxtapose themes of masculinity and femininity, appropriation versus originality, and the interplay between political and religious liberties. “ARNOLD” emerges as a display of artistic prowess and a profound narrative exploring the complexities of societal iconography and personal identity.

Critics, including Lars Elton, have lauded Ringnes’ approach, noting, “Benedicte mixes famous photographs to redefine the visual universe. Her treatment of figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger challenges and captivates, turning iconic imagery into personal narratives of fame and gender.”

The exhibition has piqued the curiosity of the esteemed Downtown 500 crew, leading to an exclusive feature on #DT500RedSofa for #DT500:15Fame. In a candid interview with DT 500 MAG, Ringnes shared insights into her creative process and influences, citing her eclectic blend of inspirations from architecture, nature, travel, and music.

“When I hear a song I like, I visualise a moving image—a storyline that follows the beat,” Ringnes explained. Her artistic journey, influenced by luminaries like Chris Cunningham and David Bowie, reflects a deep-seated passion for experimental film and visual storytelling.

THERE ARE SOME EXPERT’S OPINIONS EVOLVING LIKE CRITIC LARS ELTON NOTES :

” BENEDICTE IS MIXING FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHS TO TOUCH VISUAL UNIVERSE. THE BODYBUILDER IS DISTORTED AND MIXED IN A WAY EXPERIENCED AS BOTH POSITIVE AND CHALLENGING. SHE TURNS THE ICONIC FIGURE AND THE WORLD-FAMOUS MAN INTO A PERSONAL STORY OF HOW WE ENCOUNTER FAME AND MASCULINITY. “

THE DOWNTOWN 500 CREW’S CURIOSITY IS PROVOKED ENOUGH TO INVITE THAT TOUGH GIRL ON #DT500REDSOFA FOR #DT500:15FAME

DT 500 MAG: -Benne, your exhibition at Gallery A was met with enthusiasm—congratulations! Today, there’s a growing curiosity about your journey. Could you share with us: Who is Benedicte Aubert Ringnes?

 

BENEDICTE: – High up and deep below is my way; I am spiritual,  ADHD,  

” I love a good party with a high level of toxins, but can’t live without spending time in the forest weekly. A hint of too much enthusiasm and enjoying time with my company.”

DT 500 MAG: – Could you specify your point of origin or starting location?

BENEDICTE: Architecture, nature, travelling, and music are the right combination. Everything with speed and music boosts my mind. When I hear a song I like, I can’t help myself visualise a beautiful, moving image of it. Shapes, colours, and a storyline that follows the beat. I love high music videos. The director has the freedom to work illogically and outside any format. I have thrown away all my DVDs except my music video collection: Chris Cunningham, S. Jones, Prince, David Bowie, Corbijn, Jonas Åkerlund, and Gondry. I once worked with Gondry’s photographer, and that is one of the few times I have been starstruck. Very geeky, I know.

 

DT 500 MAG: – What sparked your interest in art?

 

BENEDICTE: – I´ve always been. My dad and his mom were quite interested in art and music. They took my brother and me to galleries when we were little. My mom has spoiled me with art materials since primary school—watercolours and pastels, but most oil on canvas. My dad also sent me to an art school in Denmark when I was 14. 

 

” I have always hated school, except for art class, gym, and FRIMINUTT. “

DT 500 MAG: – When did you first discern your passion for art? 

BENEDICTE: – After high school and two years of skiing, I said to Mom,

”I will never study anything, at least not with reading.”

BENEDICTE: – I wanted to study art in France, but we didn’t find any English-speaking schools there. Instead, I started researching film production in Australia since I also had a passion for filmmaking.

 

DT 500 MAG: – What were your aspirations and ambitions during that period of your life?

BENEDICTE: My goal was to surf every day and just pass in school, but it turned out it was an efficient school; I got hooked and became a school nerd and top-of-a-class student. I studied Photography, animation, cinematography, experimental film, and music videos. I especially loved the experimental movie with a guest teacher from the Netherlands, Paul De Nooijer. His work was very inspiring. 

DT 500 MAG: – Did you achieve your goal of making it onto the first team there, or did you have other aspirations in mind?

 

BENEDICTE: I teamed up with three other guys and made some excellent but crazy films. Oh, that sounds like porn, but sorry to disappoint – it was not. One of them won a short film contest. During my final year, I directed a few music videos.

 ” Instead of writing descriptions for costumes, locations, casts, and the art department, I created mood boards in Photoshop.”

DT 500 MAG: – Was that the pivotal moment when Benedicte embarked on her path as an artist, shaping her future in the art world? 

BENEDICTE: – It started by just putting photos very roughly together. I liked it, and my interest in Photoshop didn’t fade out. After the film, I studied art, art history, and more, BUT I dropped out of that study. I found it annoying, too much reading for a dyslexic, and to explore art history in a city that was 40 years old – where the most former icon of the City was a Pink Flamingo neon sign from a motel. That tells enough. Just stencil or Aborigine art, nothing in-between; no offence to that kind of skill and handcraft, but I needed more. It’s probably different today.

DT 500 MAG: – Benne, having originated from Oslo but leading an internationally diverse life with experiences spanning Australia, Switzerland, California, and beyond, how does return to Oslo now shape your creative environment and artistic perspective?

BENEDICTE: – After high school, I went ski bumming in Verbier in Switzerland for 5 months for two years. In between, I did some travelling, backpacking, and surfing around the Basque with friends. During those years, I didn’t have a workspace with paint. I wanted to keep it simple and accessible, so I always carried a notebook and pen and doodled a bit every day. I could spend up to three weeks drawing one small but cute doodle. It was usually scratched to friends. Instead of writing letters, I created images merged into each other, telling our story together. Damn, that sounds cheesy…

 

“While travelling, I fell in love with wave surfing and moved to Australia, where I stayed for four years. I did my bachelor’s in two years but wasn’t ready to leave until two more years.”

 

DT 500 MAG: – Could you elaborate further on the navigational context? Perhaps discussing its significance or how it relates to your current situation or interests? 

BENEDICTE: Regarding creativity in the context of where I am, I think it doesn’t matter. I always carry music with headphones in my ears. Before Spotify and all that, I spent hours in FNAC while travelling. Searching for new inspirational music. I have stayed in contact with my travelling friend; instead of describing too much in words, we always send each other our bookmarks of harmony. It’s adorable. What one listens to tells enough about the person and the stage you’re in.

 

DT 500 MAG: – What motivated your decision to return to Oslo, and how do you reconnect with the city and its influence on your current artistic journey?

 

BENEDICTE: – When moving back to Norway, I worked my way up in the film industry. As soon as I finished a project, I travelled and surfed. Stavanger, Lofoten, Portugal and lots of other places. Anyway, moving back to Oslo has consisted of a down mood. Good days, sick days. I’m never bored, but for some reason, some days are crap. In some periods of my life, I have been pretty down.

 

DT 500 MAG: – What valuable insights did you gain from your diverse experiences worldwide?

 

BENEDICTE: – I have learned a couple of things:

” 1. It’s usually just one thought that fuck up things in your head, the reality is different! 2. Work every day; bad days are just as good days. The bad days are probably more important for work, generally in life, and for inspiration! This applies to all jobs, according to my beliefs! 3. Embrace and accept those days that are against you. It challenges your head to rethink, fight, and sort things in order.”

DT 500 MAG: – THANX for some reasoning!

BENEDICTE:  – I like going to galleries. I love it, but I need to find out where I get my inspiration. At studios, one gets too much information and inspiration, and one’s head gets messy afterwards. Music puts your thoughts centred on one beat.

 

“BUT I live in Oslo, a rich-bitch country full of freedom and feel safe, so what can I complain about. We’re mostly spoiled brats. …by the way….”

DT500 MAG: – Step into the world of “ARNOLD,” where the Downtown 500 crew delves into Benedicte’s series, captivated by its emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and geometric precision akin to Classical antiquity’s architectural grandeur. Her compositions evoke echoes of classicism, realism, and formalism, prompting contemplation on the transformation of ancient aesthetics through Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic heroism. This fusion with pop art symbolism parallels Richard Hamilton’s exploration of gender representation. How does Benedicte navigate these influences to forge a unique artistic dialogue?

BENEDICTE: – Bodybuilding is more feminine than one would think. It’s about shaping, symmetry, eating healthy, and caring for your body (not all is healthy, though). During the training for Mr Olympia, Arnold was instructed by ballerinas on how to present himself on stage. Learning to walk and pose and gracefully move from one position to another. Small details as to how feet and fingertips are positioned are vital. I have compared this to later classical antique sculptures shaping bodies out of rock, symmetry, softness, and details around the hand and feet.

DT 500 MAG:  –What qualities or achievements distinguish an artist as a master?

BENEDICTE: – Art does not necessarily have to do anything with handcraft. There was an exhibition of Alex Israel in Astrup Fernley; I find him more of an art director. He is instructing other handcraft artists to visualise his ideas. He is not touching a pencil or any art tool himself. Directing a still life stage. So, what makes him a rock star within art? Is it the same as creating art? In that case, the definition of art is so much more.

DT 500 MAG: – Why did you select Gallery A as the venue for your ARNOLD exhibition?

BENEDICTE: – They asked me, and I’m very thankful for that! I have followed their exhibition openings and artists for years, so it was super cute to get the invitation! 

DT 500 MAG: – What unique fascination does the ARNOLD series offer its audience?

BENEDICTE: – I think an extra element of fascination is that the visitor surprises him/herself by being absorbed by Arnold.

 

“Like critique, Lars Elton said:” I never thought I would find anything regarding Arnold fascinating “…”

DT 500 MAG: – In the current landscape where many artists integrate technology as a narrative tool, what aspects of the present technological spectrum intrigue you most in your artistic practice?

BENEDICTE: – It does not have to be digital; it could also be starting on a canvas. At this stage, I like the digital format and have been fascinated by it for years. I spend a lot of money on art magazines; my all-time favourite since 2005 is Computer Arts. I can have creations with up to 80 layers. At that point, each segment was well-treated for shaping, lighting angle, and composition. I need to move the elements around to find the balance in the total.

“One can’t imagine how many elements are in one image, but at the same time, I don’t want to make it to perfection, so the point of appropriation fades away. I also use a digital drawing board with different brushes. As you say, the possibilities! “

DT 500 MAG: – Previously, you worked in media production. How do you navigate the dynamic between media and art in your current practice? Is there a sense of competition between these two genres, or do you see them as complementary aspects of your creative journey?

BENEDICTE: – Art completes me; I have full control and freedom of what I want to express and create. One rarely has that in a film. You must fulfil many wishes and terms to get the funding and solve the game. If you want it and work hard, you will manage somehow; it just takes time and years. That’s not my dream. I lost interest in that for now. When you do something you love, you do it great because you want it and work hard for it. In that way, I’m my competitor; I create short and long-term goals. If I’m unhappy with myself, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Good or bad. If I’m unsatisfied with my work, I get annoyed and frustrated and vice versa. Film and art will never compete. The film is moving art, not all types, of course. The film is about creating a whole new world, a story; you need it to be believable, you set a mood, the right angles, and lighting. After shooting your edit, grade, and manipulate. It’s both arts in many ways, but they will never compete; they inspire each other.

 

BENEDICTE: – I didn’t plan my Arnold exhibition, to be honest. I was working on an entirely different project. I had a good theme and flow, and the feedback on my work was positive, but things changed. I had been a bit down for a while, which is one of the reasons why my previous project had completely different colours, lighting, and texture. Things turned a little bit lighter; it was a change in the weather, and I needed a pause from the work bubble I was in. I pulled out an old Arnold sketch I did a while ago that I always wanted to continue working on. I started working on it to give me a break from the other theme. After finishing it, can I fit this into my original project? Before deciding, I started on a new piece and got incredibly inspired.

“After a while, I said to myself, fuck it. It’s going to be a pure ARNOLD exhibition. I sat there working alone without telling my boyfriend, the gallery, or anyone. Someday I remember thinking,” What the fuck am I doing,” but then again, it felt right.”

DT 500 MAG: Benne, unconscious influences often play a significant role in creative work. What draws you to choose pop art as your expressive medium?

BENEDICTE: – I love Richard Hamilton and Hockney! I saw R. Hamilton after I had fallen in love with Photoshop. I may have seen it before, but nothing that had stuck in my mind. I saw and loved it, but it took me many years to realise that what I created was art! I’ll show you a dinner table I made in 2005 or so. One of my first digital pieces. It has not been hard to navigate this world. What fascinates you is what you want to put your mind to. The more you learn, the more interesting it gets.

DT 500 MAG: – is Benedicte using pop art?

BENEDICTE: Noh, pop art is using me! I’m just kidding. Surrealism has also always fascinated me. Norwegian Hertevig, Margurite, Dali, Matisse, and later Tom Wesselmann, Ed Ruscha, the colourful craziness in primary school. Pop art expresses the freedom to operate with full creativity and no considerations.

“Wrong is right; you have no blueprint, and it is fine to not fit in.“

DT 500 MAG: – You invited Arnold Schwarzenegger to come to your exhibition; why is his appearance essential for you?

BENEDICTE: – It would be nice if Arnold could spin off a beautiful, gracious ballerina pirouette, wouldn’t it? That was not my idea regarding Arnold Schwarzenegger’s invitation to Norway. In June, some friends said,” Have you invited Arnold”? I liked the idea. As mentioned in the invitation to film the performance, I didn’t create this exhibition to honour Arnold. He is used as a symbol that fascinates me, and the rest is free for authentical interpretation.

 

DT500 MAG: – What is next? New plans?

 

BENEDICTE: – I don’t feel like sharing ideas too early. You’ll be the first to know when I’m ready.

DT 500 MAG: – My very pleasure. Downtown 500 crew wishes you keep going; there is a perfect wave to surf in creative waters. Do not hesitate to surprise us. Cheers from London, Benne.

“ARNOLD” marks Ringnes’ bold return to Oslo, where her artistic vision has been nurtured amidst international adventures from Australia to California. Reflecting on her creative odyssey, she remarked, “Art completes me; it offers control and freedom to express ideas without constraints, unlike my previous experiences in media production.”

The exhibition promises a visual feast, showcasing Ringnes’ mastery of digital collage and painting techniques. Each artwork invites viewers to delve into a world where classical aesthetics intertwine with contemporary sensibilities, challenging perceptions and inspiring discourse.

“I invite everyone to experience ‘ARNOLD’ at Gallery A,” Ringnes enthused. “It’s a celebration of creativity and a journey into the realms where art meets introspection.”

Join us from October 20 to November 6 at Gallery A, Vibes Gate 13, Oslo, to witness the convergence of historical narratives and modern interpretations in Benedicte Aubert Ringnes’ “ARNOLD.” For more information below.

About Gallery A: Gallery A is renowned for its commitment to showcasing avant-garde contemporary art that challenges conventions and inspires dialogue. Situated in Oslo, Gallery A is a cultural beacon, fostering artistic exploration and appreciation.

Press Contact:

The exhibition ARNOLD by Benedicte Aubert Ringnes can be seen from October 20-November 6 at GALLERY A, Vibes gate 13 -Oslo

Photography Andreas Rod

Interview Arthur Sopin