Prospecting: A Geological Survey of Greys, 2017

Prospecting: A Geological Survey of Greysis an interdisciplinary art project that explores the shades of grey of 2.5-billion-year-old primary rock. From a 170 metres deep exploration drilling hole at Prestefjellet, just outside Kirkenes in northern Norway, cylindrical rock-core samples were taken out in search for the bedrocks shades of grey tones. The rock cores of metamorphic gneiss were then shipped to The Geological Survey of Norway's laboratory in Trondheim where the artist conducted various analyses and microscopy of the stone. The result of her exploration is a cross-section of biology and history and addresses the distinctions between objective scientific methods and subjective influences.

In the installation in STUK, UV prints on foil of photomicrographs of these rock-core samples are presented alongside RGG prints organizing 1000 photographs of the samples according to their Red Green and Grey hues, and a spearhead sculpture comprised of primary rock. In the artworks, the stone's microstructure and mineralogical composition meet a survey of colour perception and optical refraction between spectator, object and space.

Cecilia Jonsson (SE/NO)
°1980

Cecilia Jonssonis an interdisciplinary artist who explores links between organic life and inanimate matter as both a method of observation and as a medium. Informed by methods used in the natural sciences, her works are often site-related, artistic interpretations of the phenomena and processes of nature. Her projects develop as investigations of physical and ideological properties of the raw materials that are fundamental to human existence, from their origins deep in the ground, to the extraction, transformation and global exploitation.

Cecilia received her MA in Fine Art from Bergen Academy of Art and Design and the Nordic Sound Art program. She has been artist in residence in diverse organisations, such as Triangle France (Marseille), Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa (Venice), V2_ Institute (Rotterdam) and The Geological Survey of Norway (Trondheim). Her works have been exhibited widely and more recently at Science Gallery Melbourne, Artspace MU (Eindhoven), National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Natural History (Venice) and Edifici Disseny Hub Barcelona. In 2014, Cecilia was awarded prize in VIDA 16.0 International Awards and she won the Dutch Bio Art and Design Awards 2016. Cecilia received an Honorary Mention in the category of Hybrid Art of the Prix Ars Electronica 2017.