19:00

Join us for a conversation with artist duo Karin Keisu and Josse Thuresson exploring nationalism and forced assimilation. The session will begin with a screening of their film ‘Back to Back’ (2022), which juxtaposes two minor languages, Swedish Sign Language and Meänkieli, both of which have been suppressed from Sweden’s national image by its government. The artists will then share research exploring linguistic homogeneity, the politics of language and strategies of resistance. 

This session has been organised by curatorial collective Otherwise and is a collaboration between Art/ Work Association and MFA Curating at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The session is free to attend and will be held on Zoom. Please register by emailing info (at) artworkassociation.org. Registered attendees will receive the link 10 minutes in advance of the discussion. 

Karin Keisu and Josse Thuresson are an artist duo that have been working together since 2018. Their projects take the form of research-based film works, installations, sculptures, texts and performances, addressing politics of language, queer time and the strength of being on the margins. They hold a MA in Fine Art from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, where they recieved the Principals Grant. Selected solo exhibitions include Österängens Konsthall, Jönköping, Sweden, (2023) and Konstmuseet I Norr, Kiruna, Sweden, (2022). Selected group exhibitions include Luleå Konsthall, Luleå, Sweden, (2022), BO, Oslo, Norway (2021), Gallery Napa, Rovaniemi, Finland (2021), Studio Mustanapa and Alta Kunstforening, Alta, Norway (2021), Kino Der Kunst, Munich, Germany (2020).

Otherwise is a curatorial collective initiated by Yueh-Ning Lee and Sixten Liu, exploring the potential of polyphonic storytelling and trans-local solidarity. Through exhibitions, discursive events and cross-disciplinary gatherings, the collective wishes to enable fluidity from art outwards and to disseminate artistic practices, discourse and strategies across boundaries. Recent projects include Gerald Moore Gallery, London, England (2022). Otherwise are second year students on MFA Curating at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Image Credit: ‘Back to Back’, 2022, Karin Keisu and Josse Thuresson, Video still. Courtesy of the artists.