Subterranean

Amos Rex’s group exhibition Subterranean explores how artists have depicted the worlds beneath our feet over the centuries. The extensive exhibition features more than 100 works by 62 artists. The works take us into caves and cavities within the earth’s crust, the mythological realms of death and the rabbit holes of literature while the traces of humankind’s exploitation of the earth below us. Subterranean is on view in Amos Rex’s underground exhibition space from April 2 to August 21, 2022.

Artists
Roma Auskalnyte, Felipe de Ávila Franco, Per Barclay, Antoine-Louis Barye, Ursula Biemann, Louise Bourgeois, Tom Claassen, J. F. Clemens / Nicolai Abildgaard, Johan Christian Dahl, Tacita Dean, A K Dolven, Gustave Doré, Cho Duck-Hyun, Cecilia Edefalk, Magnus Enckell, Anna Estarriola, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Helene Garberg, Ane Graff, Håkon Gullvåg, Inma Herrera, Nicola Hicks, Leif Holmstrand, Peter Johansson, Per Kirkeby, Jussi Kivi, John Augustus Knapp, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Lucila Mayol, Elina Merenmies, Gustav Metzger, Felix Nadar, Joar Nango & Ken Are Bongo, Ernesto Neto, Mariele Neudecker, Tuula Närhinen, João Penalva, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Tal R, Eduard Riou, Pipilotti Rist, Auguste Rodin, Nina Roos, Hans Rosenström, Martinus Rørbye, Geir Harald Samuelsen, Sten Are Sandbeck, Nedko Solakov, Axel Straschnoy, Pascale Marthine Tayou, John Tenniel, Katja Tukiainen, Marianna Uutinen, Marko Vuokola, Jens Ferdinand Willumsen, Per Wizén, Joseph Wright of Derby, YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES

At Subterranean, contemporary and historical works form a diverse, multi-faceted image of underground realities. The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations and video art. The oldest work is from the seventeenth century, while the newest ones were completed for the exhibition.

“The exhibition explores our complex relationship with the underground world and its role in our lives and imaginations. The themes of the exhibition bring forth different interpretations of the subterranean and how the subject has captured the imagination of artists through the centuries. Artists of the Romantic period were drawn to the sculptural form and majestic presence of volcanoes and caves, while contemporary artists are interested in our impact on the underground itself and the consequences of exploiting it. In other words, this subject has a very long tradition in art,” says the exhibition’s curator, Anastasia Isakova.

The exhibition’s themes encompass fairy tales, religion, science, and nature. Subterranean’s four themes are Geology—Caves and Cavities, Mythologies—Descending into the Underworld, Down the Rabbit Hole—The Fictional Depth and Man-made—Exploration and Exploitation. The exhibition’s curators are Pontus Kyander, who developed the exhibition concept and Anastasia Isakova.

The works take us underground to a world that is enigmatic, exciting, attractive, dangerous and mysterious. There is more beneath the earth’s surface besides earth, minerals and roots. There is also the glowing magma of volcanoes, underground aquifers, unexplored caves, rabbit holes, catacombs and Metro tunnels.

During the exhibition, visitors may take part in guided tours delving into various themes of the show, and in June Amos Rex offers tours for those visiting with young children in prams. The museum’s art workshop Studio Rex is converted into a cave, where visitors are invited to consider how the story of the exhibition might continue, or how it began.

In May, Japanese sculptor Tadashi Kawamata’s The Nest, a sculptural installation made of recycled materials, will be unveiled on the Glass Palace Square. The work is attached to the Glass Palace building, like an alien creature in a familiar environment. The artist is available for interviews May 2–6, 2022, while the work is under construction. The Nest will be on display from May 7 to September 4, 2022.