 EMANUEL RÖHSS |  MICHAEL MANNING |  MICHAEL MANNING |
|---|---|---|
 MICHAEL MANNING |  MICHAEL MANNING |  "MEET YOUR MAKERS" |
 MAX RONNERSJÖ |  MAX RONNERSJÖ |  "MEET YOUR MAKERS" |
 ALFRED BOMAN |  ZOE BARCZA |
REVIEW:
ISBRYTAREN
TEXT & PHOTOS: CARL GUSTAF VON PLATEN
When entering the first floor of Isbrytaren ( not to be confused with the basement ) I was welcomed by an autumn glow rushing through the industrial but delicate window frames. The space was shockingly open - quite fit for a gallery that is in itself so open to diverse artists and art forms.
Perhaps an epitome of pioneering gallerists, Carl Kostyál owns galleries in both London and Sweden and presents up-and-coming artists, working as a gateway between young contemporary artists and the future. Driven by a group of artists, his Stockholm gallery; Isbrytaren has earlier exhibited artists such as Alex Da Corte and Petra Cortright.
In the basement, Isbrytaren is currently exhibiting “Soft Jazz” by Emanuel Röhss. The name is perfect for this exhibition, compiled of organic mono prints and hidden clues. Included are also beautifully traditional pillars, almost camouflaged into the gallery space. The whole exhibition felt stripped bare - the art felt easy to empathize with. Like the soft jazz tunes of Twin Peaks, there was definitely an atmosphere present in the space. Röhss was inspired by Brazilian modernism and that was reflected on the blameless window frames, that were a Modernist building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, called Casa do Povo. Using a unique point of view Röhss has created gritty but silent pieces.
Floor one, the biggest space at Isbrytaren was adorned with crypted messages and delicate illusions. Perhaps a name you’ve heard been flung around - Michael Manning has the whole first floor to himself. This exhibition — WILD FUSION: VOL. III – WWWHATWWWEDOISSECRET — reflected the accelerated globalization that’s happening right now because of the internet. The demolition of locally unique cultures is underway, and Manning is trying to capture that demolition in his works exhibited at Isbrytaren. Provided in the space are a collage of TV screens instead of canvases, acrylic illusions, and heavy information printed on delicate organzas. Perhaps slightly bombastic - the internet has now taken the wheel and god know where it’s leading the art world. Judging from his works, Manning believes it’s going to be an contradictory road. Politics and celebrity culture merge, pastel paintings morph into something darker, and what seems to be real is fake - perhaps provoking something deeper than originally expected. What’s real isn’t always more interesting, maybe that’s what makes Mannings cyber-knit exhibition so thrilling.
On floor two, was a group exhibition — “Meet Your Makers” with nearly all-swedish artists. Being a pure, unkindled exhibition ( quite fitting - as the exhibition was one of the future ). When I say unkindled I do not mean dull or useless - I mean raw and fresh. The pieces of works were not burned out cigarette buds, they were freshly rolled cigarettes, each unique in their own, cutting edge way.
Being pleased when entering the gallery, there was definitely something to talk about - thus providing me with an “Isbrytare” or in english - an icebreaker.