In the past few weeks I've received an odd bogus e-mail about an exhibit at the Hirshorn and what multiple artists have done with one sheet of paper. And not just once. Today was the fourth time! So, clearly this is making the "e-mail rounds". But it's not true. Not a word of it.
I really feel the need to set this straight. There was never an exhibit of this type at the Hirshorn. And all that beautiful work is the art of one talented man, Denmark born Peter Callesen.
So, if you want to start spreading the word about his art, do so from here. And if you get that e-mail? Set the recipient straight.
A4 papercut Project By Peter Callesen.
About my paper works (in Peter's words):
"My paper works have lately been based around an exploration of the relationship between two and three dimensionality. I find this materialization of a flat piece of paper into a 3D form almost as a magic process - or maybe one could call it obvious magic, because the process is obvious and the figures still stick to their origin, without the possibility of escaping. In that sense there is also an aspect of something tragic in most of the cuts. Some of the small paper cuts relate to a universe of fairy tales and romanticism, as for instance "Impenetrable Castle" inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", in which a tin soldier falls in love with a paper ballerina, living in a paper castle. Other paper cuts are small dramas in which small figures are lost within and threatened by the huge powerful nature. Others again are turning the inside out, or letting the front and the back of the paper meet - dealing with impossibility, illusions, and reflections.
I find the A4 sheet of paper interesting to work with, because it probably still is the most common and consumed media and format for carrying information today, and in that sense it is something very loaded. This means that we rarely notice the actual materiality of the A4 paper. By removing all the information and starting from scratch using the blank white 80gsm A4 paper as a base for my creations, I feel that I have found a material which, on one hand, we all are able to relate to, and which on the other hand is non-loaded and neutral and therefore easier to fill with different meanings. The thin white paper also gives the paper sculptures a fragility which underlines the tragic and romantic theme of the works."
Resurrection, 2008, Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
White Hand Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Little Erected Ruin, 2006, Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Half Way Through, 2006, Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
On The Other Side, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Walking Snail, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
The Short Distance Between Time and Shadow, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Cradle, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Do Not Enter, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Tower of Babel, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Down the River, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
The Dying Swan, 2005, Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Wedding Dress Without Bride, 2005, Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
All in All, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Angel, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Closet, 2006 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Big wave moving towards a small castle made of sand, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Distant Wish, 2006 Acid-free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Eismeer, 2006 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Hunting, 2005 Acid-free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
In the Beginning (Snake inside an egg), 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
In the Shadow of an Orchid, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Impenetrable Castle, 2005, Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Looking Back, 2006 Acid free A4 115 gsm paper and glue:
Man Made of Woman, 2005 Acid-free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Pandora's Box, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Snowballs, 2005 Acid free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Traces in Snow, 2005 Acid-free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Bridge Over Troubled Water, 2005 Acid-free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
Butterflies Trying To Escape Their Shadow, 2005 Acid-free A4 80 gsm paper and glue:
artist info:
Peter Callesen
Denmark
Peter Callesen is currently working on his own, apart from in Spain where he is represented by Galería Valle Ortí.
This A4 (letter sized paper) project was but one. He has done many other larger and more intricate works that are amazing. This man deserves much credit- and sadly, that internet rumor is depriving him of it.
Go to his site to see this complete project and many more!