25. May - 1. September 2024
Narrative With an Unexpected Outcome (2011) by Ignas Krunglevičius is a 3-channel video installation depicting a dialog from a group therapy session, presented as animated text. Each screen represents one of the participants in the conversation. This presentation is part of a form of therapy developed in the 1970s and 1980s by Australian therapist Michael White and his colleague from New Zealand, David Epson. Their approach uses storytelling as a central element in therapeutic conversations. In the session exhibited in the work, a young teenage boy is the protagonist.
Narrative With an Unexpected Outcome (2011) is part of a series of works in which artist Ignas Krunglevičius explores coded systems in society that are used to control individuals and situations. Krunglevičius uses documentary material and
transcripts from group therapy sessions, police interrogations, and psychiatric interview manuals in his work. When the work was exhibited at Oslo Kunstforening in 2011, Krunglevičius presented works based on both interrogation and therapy methods side by side. The aim of the two methods is either to provoke a confession in police interrogation or to uncover hidden or forgotten memories, which could explain specific patterns of behavior in a patient.
Through this approach, Krunglevičius highlights how different conversational techniques can be used both to discover truth and to manipulate, depending on the context. The work challenges the viewer to reflect on the way we use stories in different power structures, and and how these stories can influence our perceptions and actions.
Ignas Krunglevičius
Krunglevičius (b.1979 in Kaunas, Lithuania) is an Oslo-based artist who has gained international recognition for his unique and thought-provoking work. With a master's degree in composition from Norges musikkhøyskole in Oslo, Krunglevičius works primarily with sound art, installations and video works that explore complex themes such as power, control, communication, and technology.
Krunglevičius is an artist who continuously challenges our perceptions of power, communication, and technology through his innovative and engaging works. His artistry is characterized by an exploration of the hidden structures that shape our lives, and he continues to be a significant voice in contemporary art that encourages us to reflect on the subtle yet profound ways in which we are affected by our surroundings.
Artistic Approach
Krunglevičius is known for his ability to create intense experiences through minimalist and conceptual works. He often uses text, sound, and visual elements to create an atmosphere that challenges the viewer's understanding of reality. His work is characterized by a deep interest in the social and political dimensions of society, and he often uses documentary material as a starting point for his works.
Other Works and Projects
Among Krunglevičius' most notable works is the video work "Interrogation" (2009). This work is based on an authentic FBI interrogation transcript, where the dialog between an interviewer and a suspect is presented as text on the screen, accompanied by a minimalistic soundscape. Through this reduced but powerful presentation, Krunglevičius reveals the psychological games and power structures that underlie such interrogations.
Exhibitions and Accolades
Ignas Krunglevičius has exhibited at a number of prestigious venues internationally, including Venice Biennale, Kunsthall Oslo, and Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. His work has been featured in several art publications, and he has received accolades for his ability to combine aesthetic simplicity with deep intellectual reflection.
Narrative With an Unexpected Outcome (2011) was purchased with the Ministry of Culture and Equality’s stimulation funds (corona funds) 2020 and is part of Trondheim kunstmuseum's collection.