I wanna feel the heat with somebody.
Taking place in The Hague’s Galerie West, ‘I wanna dance with somebody’ presents Norwegian artist Lars Laumann in collaboration with close friends and artists Rein Vollenga, Vela Arbutina and i-D contributor Benjamin Alexander Huseby. Spread across the gallery’s three rooms, the exhibition features pieces from each of Lars’ collaborative works, all of which were inspired by his personal relationships.
In his partnership with Laumann, Huseby explores their mutual fascination with Christa Päffgen, more commonly known as ‘Nico’, the iconoclastic German model, singer and actress who died unexpectedly in 1988 after an incorrectly diagnosed brain haemorrhage. Together Huseby and Laumann have produced an 18 minute cinematic homage, entitled You Can’t Pretend To Be Somebody Else You Already Are, in which the inimitable Jonny Woo, Andrew Keaton and James Jeantte Main take on the roles of 60s, 70s and 80s Nico respectively. i-D pal, Jeanette’s transformation is of particular relevance – Huseby having photographed him in all his magnificence for The Exhibitionist Issue, styled as another musical icon, David Bowie. See the shoot here.
i-D Online chats about the show with some of the featured artists and takes a peak at a teaser of the Laumann/Huseby film, You Can’t Pretend To Be Somebody Else You Already Are.
How did ‘I wanna dance with somebody’ come about…?
Lars: Gallery West invited me to do a solo show and I asked my favourite artists to join me. I miss doing friend’s exhibitions, it’s not curated by myself, I just asked my favourite artists who also happen to be my best friends to come and make some work with me. It turned out pretty well!
What’s the best thing about collaborating with other artists?
Benjamin: Not walking around in your mind alone…
Lars: It forces me out of the solitude of the studio. This exhibition was particularly interesting to make since the other artists come from such different backgrounds. Benjamin is a photographer, Vela is a designer and Rein is a sculptor.
Rein: If someone else is pushing your buttons, good or bad, it might lead you to an inner place you’ve never seen before.
Rein, could you tell us about your collaboration with Lars, entitled ‘Love Parade’?
For the exhibition I’ve created an object that hovers between physical and abstract shapes. Ambiguity is a repeating subject in my work. The object is shown in conjunction with a video selected by Lars. The video shows security footage from the disastrous last ever Love Parade in Duisburg. The sculpture and video interact with each other.
Rein, can you tell us a little about your recent collaboration with Nicola Formichetti?
I worked with Nicola on the last Mugler women’s collection making wearable sculptures both in the show and for a Mugler video shot by Benjamin. I’ve also made wearable sculptures for Jonny Woo, Lady Gaga, Feral (MC Kinky) and New Power Studio.
Benjmamin and Lars, what’s your fascination with Nico?
Benjamin: It started when I was very young, but predominantly I listened to her album ‘Chelsea Girl’ non-stop when I was 19. I had just moved to London and started at Chelsea College of Art. My obsession grew as I discovered her complex story and more challenging works.
Lars: I can’t remember when I first encountered her, but I’ve been a fan since I was a kid! Her story is a strange, unique and fascinating one.
Tell us something about each other that nobody knows…
Benjamin: Lars is colour-blind and Rein has no sense of smell.
Lars: Benjamin is a lesbian. Vela is not.
Rein: Vela Arbutina is a real dancehall queen! I’ve never seen a white girl bubblin’ in stiletto heels!
‘I wanna dance with somebody’ is open at Galerie West, The Hague until May 7th.
Text Michael Stephens
Photography Jhoeko, courtesy the artists and West
