In this episode, I catch up with the Norwegian visual artist Jan Hakon Erichsen and talk about the time he nearly crossed the thin line between destruction and self-destruction.
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Jan Hakon Erichsen is a Norwegian artist, whose work explores themes of fear, anger and frustration. His creations are a mix of different media, but he's best known for his DIY aesthetic, using found objects as his main source of work material.
After graduating from the National Academy of Arts in Oslo in 2004, Jan went on to exhibit his work in galleries and art festivals all around the world. In 2019, his viral two-minute compilation of balloon popping videos earned him a nomination for a Shorty Award in 2020 in the category of "Best in Weird".
These days, Jan keeps himself busy making short destruction videos, which he posts regularly on his Instagram account. In each video, he carefully crafts a scene, only to destroy it in a matter of seconds.
Things we refer to in this episode:
Jan Erichsen: “Lights Out” installation (2006)
Jan attempts to destroy a spaghetti beard with a bungee rope
Jan breaks the news of the accident to his followers
A brief update from the hospital
Ellen Sandseter’s “Six Categories of Risky Play”
Ellen Sandseter’s PhD thesis: “Scary funny – A qualitative study of risky play among preschool children”
“Acquired Taste” exhibition, Hos Arne, Oslo. Dec 7, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024
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Credits:
Curious Neighbours is hosted and produced by Gus Guerrero.
Executive producer, Katrine Garcia Madsbjerg.
Visuals by Louis Montes.
Music by Psyche, courtesy of Four Flies Records.
Special thanks to Jan Hakon Erichsen. You can follow him on Instagram, check out his YouTube channel or you visit his website.
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Thank you for listening.