Scat Skat Skatt
September 19th, 2019 - Present
Kistefos Museum, Jevnaker, Norway
An artist who defies convention and who does not shy away from the surreal and absurd, Oursler had visions and ideas for a multimedia installation in a public bathroom. The marrying of Christen Sveaas’ ambition to commission the world’s most spectacular toilets with Oursler’s ever-evolving practice has resulted in a thought-provoking installation.
Inspired by puppet shadow theatres, the artist has created a “gender shadow play”, projected directly on to the monumental opaque glass staircase on the lower floor of The Twist. The play unfolds as a ritualistic dance, challenging stereotypes of gendered behavior, body language, sexual hierarchy and assertions of power.
Inside the twelve bathroom stalls, projected on to the walls, Oursler has created individually scripted video performances. Using a kaleidoscope technique that zooms in on the lips of actors, the projections appear to be of talking vaginas and anuses. Inspired by scat music and vocal improvisation - and using plenty of humor - these recitals explore Freudian concepts of self, addressing body taboos and contemporary political issues while mimicking bodily sounds. The voyeuristic eyeballs that are projected onto spheres in the ceiling complete this surreal toilet experience.
Photos by Einar Aslaksen