ISHØJ.- The French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière invites visitors to explore the intersection of geology, ecology, and humanity in his upcoming exhibition Solarstalgia, opening on November 28, 2024, at ARKEN Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. This marks Charrière’s first solo exhibition in Scandinavia and offers an immersive journey into ancient and modern forests, highlighting humanity’s fragile relationship with nature.

Curator Jenny Lund describes Charrière’s work as deeply conceptual and visually evocative. “Julian Charrière creates pieces that connect past landscapes with present challenges, juxtaposing ancient forests with industrial production to expose the unstable yet profound links between humanity and the natural world,” she explains.

Exploring Energy and Environmental Crisis

Energy production and its environmental impact have become central themes in global discussions on climate change and conflict. Charrière’s Solarstalgia delves into an often-overlooked aspect of this debate: the immense time required for nature to create fossil fuels. The exhibition explores the geological age known as the Carboniferous Period (approximately 350–290 million years ago), where ancient swamps laid the foundation for today’s coal deposits.

Through multimedia installations, Charrière examines the transformation of natural landscapes into "resources" for extraction, combustion, and industrial use. The works trace a narrative from prehistoric ecosystems to modern monocultures like palm oil plantations, illuminating the imbalance in humanity’s relationship with the Earth.

The Concept Behind Solarstalgia

The title Solarstalgia combines two ideas: "solar," referencing the sun’s energy harnessed by plants through photosynthesis and stored over millennia in coal, and "solastalgia," a term describing the existential distress caused by environmental changes in familiar places. This duality underscores the exhibition’s focus on the environmental consequences of human exploitation of natural resources.

"Charrière’s art challenges and engages," says Lund. "His immersive installations compel us to reflect on the climatic and energetic impact of our actions."

Part of the NATURE FUTURE Trilogy

Solarstalgia is the second installment in ARKEN’s trilogy NATURE FUTURE, which examines the interplay between humanity, nature, and technology. It follows the acclaimed Nature Dreams by Refik Anadol, pushing forward the museum’s mission to explore contemporary art's role in addressing pressing global issues.

Visitors can expect a transformative experience, stepping into atmospheric forest landscapes and contemplating the ancient processes that sustain modern life. Solarstalgia offers not only an artistic journey but also a call to action to reevaluate our connection with the planet.