ARTICLES

Rune Guneriussen Tells a Tale of Nature by Illuminating Landscapes

All the way from lightbulbs to lamps, this Norwegian artist knows how to illuminate various types of sceneries.

By: THURSD. | 19-04-2023 | 4 min read
Floral Art
Rune Guneriussen Illuminating Landscapes header on Thursd

The 'Illuminating Remote Landscapes' is a project by artist Rune Guneriussen that embodies a series of site-specific illuminated installations. The project involves placing various objects and lamps in natural landscapes, such as forests and fields, to create surreal and dreamlike scenes.

Rune Guneriussen's Illuminated Project

Mystical, lit installations by Rune Guneriussen seem to spontaneously sprout from the surroundings. He painstakingly constructs intricate sculptures among trees, along bluffs, and in the sand using lamps, blocks, and salvaged wood. He is drawn to techniques that investigate the connections between the work's context, setting, story, and period of creation.

 

Rune Guneriussens illuminated landscape art

 

The installations are carefully planned and arranged, with Guneriussen spending hours or even days setting up the objects and lights to achieve the desired effect. The resulting images are then captured through photography, which is an integral part of the project.

 

Guneriussen works of art using light

 

The project is inspired by Rune Guneriussen's fascination with the relationship between nature and technology, and how they can interact to create unexpected and magical moments. He also aims to encourage people to look at the natural world with fresh eyes and appreciate its beauty and wonder.

Guneriussen Explores His Relationship With Nature Through His Work

Guneriussen's insights have steadily changed how he interprets those links in his profession as the repercussions of the climate catastrophe alter the environment more and more. The artist switched from using outdated items to make all of his sculptures from scratch using mostly repurposed wood over the course of the last four years. He increasingly uses angular, geometric shapes that resemble office lighting or tall structures. In contrast, a flock of luminous, spirit-like shapes wanders across the woodland floor in 'Fiery wingless and into expanding regard' as daylight diminishes.

 

Rune Guneriussens illuminates forest with light bulbs

 

Nowadays, 'The Illuminating Remote Landscapes Project' has been exhibited in various locations around the world, including Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It has received critical acclaim and has been featured in numerous art and photography publications.

 

Guneriussen has a fun and creative way of lighting up landscapes

 

More About Rune Guneriussen’s Background and Story

In a world where the line between reality and fantasy can often blur, Norwegian artist Rune Guneriussen has crafted an artistic language that transcends the ordinary. With a unique approach to site-specific installations, Guneriussen weaves narratives that ignite the imagination and provoke thought, drawing inspiration from the natural world and our relationship with everyday objects.

Born in 1977 in the town of Kjopsvik, in northern Norway, Rune Guneriussen studied at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design in England, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art Photography, before returning to his homeland to pursue a career in art. Specializing in both photography and installations, Guneriussen's work is an intriguing blend of visual storytelling and environmental exploration. He is best known for his ephemeral installations, where commonplace objects are placed within the natural landscape, creating an unexpected and almost magical dialogue between the two.

 

Rune Guneriussens style of art

 

Guneriussen's art is characterized by its dreamlike quality and the innovative use of everyday objects like lamps, chairs, telephones, and books. By carefully arranging these objects in natural settings, Guneriussen transforms them into powerful symbols, imbuing them with new life and meaning. His installations often evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting the viewer to explore the deeper themes of human existence, memory, and the passage of time.

He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Sørlandets Art Prize in 2010 and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2014.

One of the most captivating aspects of Guneriussen's work is its transient nature. His installations are temporary, existing only for a brief moment in time before being dismantled and returned to nature. This ephemeral quality lends a sense of urgency to his art, reminding us of the fleeting nature of our own existence. To immortalize these installations, Guneriussen photographs each one, preserving their essence and allowing them to be shared with a wider audience.

 

Illuminated forest with lamps

 

Rune Guneriussen's work has been exhibited internationally, with solo and group shows in galleries and museums across Europe and North America. His art has also been featured in numerous publications, reflecting the growing interest in and appreciation for his unique vision and talent.

By challenging our perceptions and inviting us to reconsider our connection with the world around us, Rune Guneriussen's art serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the most unexpected places. In a world increasingly dominated by technology and the digital realm, Guneriussen's work provides a refreshing escape, offering a glimpse into an enchanting world where the lines between the natural and the man-made are playfully blurred.

Today, Guneriussen continues to create his installations in remote locations around the world, pushing the boundaries of art and challenging our perceptions of the natural world.

Feel free to explore Rune Guneriussen's work archives over the past two decades directly on his website.

 

Photos by Rune Guneriussen.

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