J&K / Janne Schäfer and Kristine Agergaard
The Nation
Series of 5 photographs, pigment print on paper, various sizes
Site-specifically developed for The National Gallery of Denmark’s collection of Older Danish and Nordic Art
2011/2013

J&K, The Nation ‐ Power, photo, pigment print on paper, 133x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Power, photo, pigment print on paper, 133x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

The photo series The Nation was taken inside the collection of Danish and Nordic Art from 1750‐1900 at the National Gallery of Art in Denmark and is based on the performance piece The Nation – guided tour. J&K have selected five of the collection’s paintings as backdrops for theatrically staged large‐scale photographs in which the paintings are extended into space and throughout time. Five central notions of national identity and cultural heritage ‐ power, family, work, art and foreign affairs ‐ are scrutinized: By juxtaposing historical, mythological and fantastic references the images are suggesting a kaleidoscopic reading of history and question fixed cultural norms and stereotypical identifications.

Three images of this series, alongside a video of the performance have been on show at The National Gallery of Denmark within the collection of Older Danish and Nordic Art since 2013.

J&K, The Nation ‐ Family, photo, pigment print on paper, 148x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Family, photo, pigment print on paper, 148x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Work, photo, pigment print on paper, 142x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Work, photo, pigment print on paper, 142x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Art, photo, pigment print on paper, 157x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Art, photo, pigment print on paper, 157x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Foreign Affairs, photo, pigment print on paper, 128x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

J&K, The Nation ‐ Foreign Affairs, photo, pigment print on paper, 128x200cm, 2011, photo: Natascha Rydvald

Related Projects

The Nation – guided tour