RAGNARÖK ANTHROPOCENE Reis Mark by Photograph Wendy Mike and De Lane Bredvik July 15, 2017–Jan 7, 2018 Photograph by Ingrid Black Ingrid by Photograph

The installation is inspired by Ragnarök, a series of future events in Norse mythology in which the death of major fgures, various natural disasters, and the complete submersion of the world in fre and water ultimately result in a fertile rebirth, reconciliation of the gods, and re-population of the human race. Given the destructive wildfres and foods that have wreaked havoc on the Pikes Peak region in recent years, Ragnarök serves as a cautionary tale, asking us to consider our sacred and practical responsibilities to the earth.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE GODS In Norse mythology, gods and In Ragnarök: Anthropocene, we also The spiral of sculptures that represent giants personify civilization and its include the name newly given to the gods form an ellipse inscribed opposing force, chaos. Each plays our current time, “Anthropocene,” within the rectangle of the gallery their necessary role in intertwined, to emphasize the fact that human space and hint at the foundational cyclical, and predetermined action. beings are now playing out the roles geometry that was used in the The story of Ragnarök is part of this of creation and destruction — the creation of the larger composition. cycle: the void before the beginning of gods and giants — in the Ragnarök Models for the gods were chosen the world, the creation of the world, story. How can we can beneft from from our modern-day “gods,” its destruction through fre and food, identifying repeating elements and competitive athletes, many of whom and the beginning of the next new cyclic patterns in the present, and are current and former Olympians. world. At the end of the story, it is adjust our behavior to ensure survival By virtue of our Colorado Springs hinted that the cycle of destruction/ and strengthen civilization? location, we have unique access to rebirth will repeat itself yet again. them. Interviews with locals who survived the Waldo Canyon fre and Exhibition supported by subsequent foods further served to inform the authenticity of our installation, and ground it frmly within our community.

30 W. Dale St. · (719) 634-5581 The Mary K. Chapman Foundation THE WORLD TREE The World Tree in Norse Mythology is Yggdrasil, and it provides a conceptual structure for understanding not just this world inhabited by human beings, but also the worlds of the gods, Sketch by De Lane Bredvik Bredvik Lane De by Sketch giants, dwarves, elves, and even the dead. Yggdrasil survives Ragnarök, sheltering two human beings who repopulate the new world. Entering the gallery space through the doors where the World Tree’s trunk is implied symbolically repeats the emergence of the surviving human beings and begins the next cycle of life. THE RUNES The gallery walls are painted with It was at the very beginning, I see the earth fve stanzas detailing the story of it was Ymir’s time, rise a second time Ragnarök (translated at right). The there was no sand, no sea, from out of the sea, runes, painted with only a difference no cooling waves, green once more. in sheen, appear and disappear as the no earth, no sky, Waterfalls fow, viewer walks through the installation, encountering varying angles and no grass, and eagles fy overhead, sources of light. The “Galdrastafr,” just Ginnungagap. hunting for fsh painted similarly in gold, are magic among the mountain peaks. The old tree sighs charms of protection; for example, the Helm of Awe Galdrastafr at the north when the giant shakes it — Then the dark dragon end of the gallery creates fear in your Yggdrasil still stands, will come fying enemy and ensures victory in battle. but it trembles. down from the dark mountains, The title of the installation, Ragnarök: that glistening serpent. Anthropocene, is transliterated, written The sun turns black, Nithhogg will bear corpses both right to left and left to right the earth sinks into the sea, in his wings on the panel in front of the Helm the bright stars as he fies over that valley … of Awe. All transliteration of the fall out of the sky. (now I must retire.) runes in the gallery are the work of Flames scorch Dr. Jackson Crawford, Instructor of the leaves of Yggdrasil,

Nordic Studies and Coordinator of a great bonfre Gutches Jen by Photograph the Nordic Program at University of reaches to the highest clouds. Colorado in Boulder.

REFLECTION ABOUT THE ARTISTS By offering illuminations of the gods Hailing from the Pikes Peak in motion, spiraling through the region, visual artists Wendy Mike story of Ragnarök locked in battle and De Lane Bredvik prove that with the unseen giants, fanked by art is inherently powerful and the Yggdrasil and the Helms of Awe, transformational. we hope to share an experience of profound terror, and beauty De Lane Bredvik captured in something as feeting as Although my process is infused by a gesture; the barest breath of form academic rigor gained from earning Wendy Mike created nearly from the atmosphere a Master degree in architecture from Art has the capacity to bypass the intellect it occupies and infused with light. A Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and go straight to the heart. From there, moment of presence for the viewer to and undergraduate degrees in studio art new ways of thinking and feeling can pause, to observe, to experience the and art history, I rely heavily on emotion emerge. Transformation becomes possible. relevance of this ancient human tribal and the creative process to develop and This kind of holistic experience is what tale, and refect upon our roles and communicate my ideas. I’m after. responsibilities in the Anthropocene. delanebredvik.com wendymike.com