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A jagged, purple and green mineral rock sits on top of an old, beige computer printer. The scene is set against a plain white wall.

Incredible geological photography studies from Johan Rosenmunthe

Words
Liv Siddall
—
Date
26 March 2013

Johan Rosenmunthe, who is responsible for one of our favourite projects in last year’s It’s Nice That Annual has got a new show on display at Oslo’s MELK gallery. In this mixed media exhibition, Johan displays his recent studies into rocks and the way we use them in our day-to-day lives. In Silent Counts Rosenmunthe “examines rocks as tactile objects through different instruments, angles and compositions. Stones are hard, brutal and dismissive, but also share an oddly romantic aura of transcendence and time. Stones are weight, surface, age, numbers. Organized and systematically he looks at them in a geological perspective, and applies to them a nostalgic, scientific and philosophical point of view.”

Make of that what you will, that photo of a rock sat casually on a photocopier is fantastic – if you’re in Oslo, get down there ! You can see some installation shots here.

Silent Count will be on show at MELK, Oslo, from March 15 – April 14

A white and black microscope stands against a solid purple background. The base features a blue “stucchi” logo.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Instrument (black and white)

A black and white photograph of a pile of large, jagged rocks. Small, white marks are painted on several of the stones.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: The human factor

A small, jagged white rock rests on a red and orange cushion. The cushion sits on a light grey tiled floor under bright sunlight.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Untitled (a royal approach)

A jagged, vertical piece of grey stone is positioned in front of a rectangular mirror. The mirror reflects a dark background and a strip of red at the top.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: The visitor

A clear, faceted crystal sits in the corner of a pale green room. The light catches the sharp edges and internal fractures of the translucent stone.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Untitled (limegreen)

A black and white photograph of a steep, rocky mountainside. Wisps of mist or smoke drift across the jagged slopes under a pale, overcast sky.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Counting in silence

A sculpture of a bunch of grapes carved from pale pink stone. A small, metallic leaf sits at the top, and the piece rests on a light wood floor.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Untitled (rose quartz grapes)

A sculpture featuring a tall, slender wooden frame with a glass top. A heavy rock sits on the glass, while another rock rests on the floor inside the frame amidst shards of broken glass.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Variable title hh:mm:ss Wood, glass, rock, 100×100×100 cm

A 3D render of a jagged, grey rock centered against a plain, light grey background. The rock casts a sharp shadow to the right.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Intresto_rock021_252vert_500face_sc

A close-up of jagged, porous rock with a rough, weathered texture. The surface is a mix of earthy brown and grey tones with small patches of green moss.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: +37.1163, -8.5698

Three marbled spheres in shades of cream, red and green rest on a dark blue patterned rug. The rug features repeating red and white geometric motifs.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Jupiter, Venus, Neptune

A jagged, iridescent purple and silver crystal sits atop an old, beige office printer. The machine is weathered and dated, set against a plain white wall.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Entering the office

A framed print shows a collection of geometric crystals and minerals displayed on blue pedestals against a dark blue background. Small white labels identify the specimens, including “Beryl” and “Sodalite”.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Korund 1

Three stones are balanced together to form a small arch. They sit on a green surface against a wood-panelled wall.
Above

Johan Rosenmunthe: Subtle Stress

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Further Info

www.rosenmunthe.com

About the Author

Liv Siddall

—

Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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