Olafur Eliasson. Symbiotic Seeing: Catalog Kunsthaus Zürich (Kienbaum Artists’ Books)

Following the spectacular exhibition of his work in London, Olafur Eliasson (*1967) will be presenting at the beginning of 2020 an entirely new installation specifically developed for Kunsthaus Zürich. It is precisely these works by the Danish-Icelandic artist that attract viewers as if by magic. Olafur Eliasson points out that his core interest is the experience of the physical encounter with the work itself. For years, Olafur Eliasson has been one of the most important contemporary artists addressing early on the theme of sustainability and now appeals to a large number of viewers with his themes on ecological issues. The book and exhibition revolve around our relationship with other species and life forms on Earth. Olafur Eliasson's advocacy of a worldview of coexistence and collaboration becomes ever more apparent when he transforms the museum space into an immersive installation engaging our senses. We are reminded of scientific arrangements that explore physical natural phenomena such as light, water, movement, and reflection, without remaining in the abstract or formal framework of purely scientific experiments. The immediate experiential space that the artist creates prevents this, while generating an enduring resonating space on themes such as climate change, migration, and the exploitation of our planet's resources. Olafur Eliasson succeeds in translating these essential questions and social concerns into a formal language that not only appeals to the viewers' intellect, but also touches and moves them emotionally. The book accompanies the show at Kunsthaus Zürich, January 16 - March, 22, 2020.