22 November – 2 February 2013 (Closed 20 December – 2 January)
54 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8EF
Open Monday – Friday 10.00 – 18.00, Saturday 11.00 – 18.00
John Skoog is a young Swedish artist based in Frankfurt who is currently showing two moving image works at Pilar Corrias Gallery just north of Oxford Street. Following in the tradition of Scandinavian film – through the use of stark landscapes and slow pacing – Skoog’s short films focus on the evocative Swedish landscape and the people who toil on it. Two works are being shown. The first film, Sent på Jorden (Late on Earth) is inspired by the surrealist writings of the Swedish poet Gunnar Ekelöf and captures the preparations of a rural community for the long Scandinavian winter. Beautifully filmed at dusk in late summer, the work has a still, remote quality that is arresting and utterly absorbing – a study in tranquillity. The second film, shown alternately, is called Förår, which loosely translates as ‘Spring’ but which in Swedish evokes a sense of foreboding, focuses on a memory of an event revisited. Certainly an artist to watch for those of you interested in new artists working with moving image and attracting international attention currently.
Wishing you all happy, healthy and peaceful holidays and my very best wishes for 2013!
Image: John Skoog, Sent på Jorden and Förår, installation view, 2012, Courtesy the artist and Pilar Corrias Gallery