Andreassen's project, “Ellipse”, departs from one of Norway's historic shopping centers–Stovner Senter in Oslo. It builds upon the project “Centarium”, which was carried out in 2018/19 in Mo i Rana in collaboration with Nordnorsk kunstnersenter.

Ellipse at ROM is an immersive spatial film experience that addresses consumer culture and explores artistic strategies in the semi-public urban space. It consists of six different films, shown both as film on screen and as film on canvas in sculptural installations.

These short films, ranging from five to twenty minutes, unfold as diverse narratives, spanning multiple genres. Some adopt a documentary approach, while others lean toward performative expression. What unites them is Andreassen’s keen observation of the care embedded in the place–Stovner, in this case–along with his use of subtle humor and warmth in portraying it. Together, these cinematic glimpses trace an elliptical trajectory through the urban spaces linking Stovner Senter to its surroundings.

Andreassen is an artist who explores the performative potential and defining power of urban spaces. His experimental and open approach to the film medium, combined with his interest in urban environments, public and semi-public spaces, and human interaction, positions him as a highly relevant and compelling voice in exploring the architectural film genre through the exhibition format.

Sigrid Marie Kittelsaa Vesaas – Performer

Alma Bø – Performer

Sarah Francesca Brænne  – Performer

Jørgen Bull – Cinematography

Cecilia Cissi Hultman – Sound recording end text piece

Idun Kvasbø – Editing

Eivind Hofstad Evjemo – Writer

Karine Næss – Textile design

Noah Bakken – Assistant

The artist would especially like to thank Mari Lotherington, manager at Stovner Senter Irfan Akram, and the users and staff at Stovner Eldresenter.

Aleksander Johan Andreassen primarily works with performance, film, and installations. His artistic practice alternates between independent film and exhibition projects and collaborations with artists, practitioners, and professionals from film, dance, performance, and theater. Andreassen explores how the architecture and design of urban spaces influence human interactions and how artistic interventions can create new meeting points.

In addition to exhibiting his work both nationally and internationally, Andreassen has received several awards for his films. Notably, he won Best Artists' Film at Aesthetica Short Film Festival in Cork, UK, for Centarium (2020) and won the Golden Chair for Best Norwegian Short Film at the Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad for Strim (2017). He holds an MFA from Konstfack in Stockholm and, in 2022, completed a one-year residency at the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht, Netherlands.

https://aleksanderjohan.com/

The films in the project are supported by Fond for lyd og bilde, Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, Fritt Ord, KORO, Norsk Fotografisk Fond and Kulturrådet.