FJELLET
KALLER
( CALL OF THE MOUNTAIN )
In this project I use Fjellvettreglene (The Norwegian Mountain Code) as a framework to investigate and to better understand the mountain's function in both the biosphere and the human psyche. The exhibition is based on Fjellvettregel no. 2: 'Tilpass turen etter evne og forhold' ('Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions'), and consists of found image material combined with text written in collaboration with rock climbers, geologists, photographers, rescue workers, philosophers, artists et al. where man is in conversation with the mountain. Visitors could also hear the Call of the Mountain in a separate installation with sound-art composed using topological, geological and weather related data from selected mountains and mountain areas.
“… what would you say to the Mountain if they asked you for advice?”
“Det er ikke alle fjell som er taleføre, men noen har snakket til meg. Etter tre dystre opplevelser på sydlige trolltind I romsdalen, var hun veldig tydelig på at hun ikke satte pris på mine tilnærmelser. Vi inngikk en avtale: hvis jeg gikk med på aldri å komme tilbake, skulle jeg få slippe levende fra det. Vi har begge holdt ord.
Mount everest var også ganske avvisende. Hun satte meg på flere ubehagelige prøvelser, ville tydelig teste om jeg kunne være mann for henne. Hun respekterte at jeg ikke lot meg kue og at jeg sa fra hva jeg mente om hennes oppførsel. Da åpnet hun seg for meg og ga meg en gave for livet.”
Using a geographic information system (GIS) software I can gather map data from open sources e.g. Kartverket.no or NASA and extract specific data from points on the map by simply drawing up a path, and then transform the numbers from a table into sound. For this sound piece I used maps containing hight data, human footprint, precipitation and temperature. Derek Szeto created the sound and visuals based on my vision and map data using TouchDesigner.
Fjellet Kaller' ('Call of the Mountain') was exhibited as part of the spring 2020 program at Galleri Blunk in Trondheim, Norway.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the exhibition. Adrian Bugge, Ane K. Engvik, Tom Heldal, Marius Haugaløkken, Arne Larsen, Ralph Høibakk, Eirik Moldestad Halvorsen, Bjørn Arild Fjeldsbø, Terje Risberg og Christian A. Klöckner for incredible texts. Sound artist Derek Szeto for collaboration with the sound piece, and for his live performance on the opening night. Tom Teulon for all the help both with production and installation.
