Biography
Ina Otzko (1972) is born in Sandnessjøen, Northern Norway. She completed three Masters, two in Goldsmiths College University of London, UK (MA Image and Communication 2004, MFA Fine Art 2007) and one in UdK / Universität der Kunste in Berlin, Germany (MA Sound Studies 2012). She initiated and directs the art project ABH/ ArtBase Helgeland 66°N (Norway) and its AiR Helgeland — Berlin Artist Exchange Program, is on the artistic advisory board for LIAF (Lofoten International Art Festival), is an Art Consultant for KORO (the Norwegian Public Art commissioning body), is Chair for NNBK/ North-Norwegian Visual Artist Association and Chair for Alstahaug Art Society. Her works has been presented in numerous spaces, museums and galleries internationally. She lives and works in Norway, Germany and Italy.
Longing and Belonging – Ina Otzko’s visited interiors
Ina Otzko reveals her nomadic tendencies in this exhibition of photographs and video. The interiors that Otzko photographs are the private homes of people she has met whilst travelling. Yet the larger story is denied the viewer — there are no clues as to the relationships or the narratives surrounding each carefully composed domestic interior. These settings exude a masculine geometry; carefully composed lines and planes show a haphazard urban collection of windows, storage shelves, doors, cupboards, various sofas, mirrors, clocks and cushions. Such timeless icons as window, clock and mirror are laden with heavy symbolic overtones; this iconography stretches back into a myriad of art historical references from Titian, the Japanese Ukiyo-e school and Vermeer, to Matisse, Munch and beyond. Far from being comforted by traditional content, there is something unnerving, almost provocative, about Otzko’s art. These private spaces have been made into a voyeuristic stage by the artist. We view an immensely private time when a semi naked woman makes herself at home in a friend’s residence. Completely still, the curves of her body contrast or echo the enclosing lines of each interior
“To explore how new spaces transpires or is created between meeting and confrontation with inner and outer, longing and belonging, intimacy and vulnerability”. (Ina Otzko)
Ina Otzko’s semi naked self-portraiture imposes itself upon these interiors. As both photographer and model, she is always simultaneously the subject and object of her work. A subtle sense of absence seems to withdraw her from the visual probe of the camera. Her gaze is often directed toward an indeterminate distance outside the pictorial field. Visual pleasure is not present; this semi naked woman is held behind a constantly shifting barrier so that the spectator is made to feel like an intruder. However familiar these interiors appear, the artist’s body is given a specific function and both takes and creates room. The notion of the intimate and private space of the indoors is played out by her presence. Otzko’s posed body gives the viewer a key into a free movement inside each private room. The viewer’s own experiences and history may then infuse these works with new information whereby communication can happen between the work and the viewer. We compare, therefore we are. As an artist and person Otzko cannot remain still, her nomadic lifestyle has led to a series of projects in various geographic sites. But each site involves a primary personal involvement, whereby the wanderer must create her own security, her own safety, by attempting to organize any strands of chaos. These photographed interiors can be seen as moments of order, moments of self consolidation, which are thereafter classified purely by a house number and a date. In 1971 Martin Heidegger famously stated that “all distances in time and space are shrinking”. Indeed the contemporary pace of life and its information flow seems to confine us into smaller segments of time. There is hardly any time to breathe deeply, let alone meditate.
Curriculum Vitae
1972 | born in Sandnessjøen, Northern Norway |
2000–2001 | Informatics, HiN, Nesna University College, Norway |
2002–2003 | Art History, HiS, University of Stavanger, Norway |
2003–2004 | MA Image & Communication, Goldsmiths College University of London, UK |
2005–2007 | MFA Fine Art Practice, Goldsmiths College University of London, UK |
2010–2012 | MA Sound Studies (Prof. Sam Auinger, Sabine Sanio, Martin Supper), Universität der Künste, Berlin, Germany; master degree |
2012 | Certified Yoga Teacher Training, Ashiyana, Goa, India |
2012–2013 | Basic medical foundation, HiNT North Trøndelag University College, Steinkjer / Tunsberg Medisinske Skole, Tønsberg, Norway |
Ina Otzko lives and works in Sandnessjøen, London, Berlin and Positano | |
Memberships |
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2004– | Member of the Association of Norwegian Visual Artists / Nord-Norske Bildende Kunstnere NBK, NNBK |
2008–2010 | Boardmember of the NNBK |
2012–2013 | Vorstandsmitglied „Lofoten International Art Festival“ (LIAF) |
2014– | Chair / Styreleder of the Alstahaug Kunstforening / Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
2015–2017 | Chair / Styreleder of the NNBK |
Workshops / Research / Residences |
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2015 | Pushkinskaya-10, St. Petersburg, Russia / High-North AiR Network (Residency) |
Arkhangelsk International Cultural Center, Russland / High-North AiR Network (Residency) | |
2014 | The College of Sound Healing, UK (Research) |
2013– | Masterclass Female Directors, NNFS, Tromsø, Norway |
Obrestad Fyr, Hå Gamle Prestegård, Rogaland, Norway (Research) | |
2012 | Goa, India (Research) |
Ny-Ålesund, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway (Residency) | |
2011 | Ny-Ålesund, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway (Residency) |
2009 | Sabine von der Tann, Action Theater improvisations, Potsdam, Germany (1–1 Workshop) |
Minako Seki, Butoh-Workshop, Berlin, Germany | |
2000 | Joyce Tenneson, Photography Workshop, Vågå, Norway |
Exhibitions — Selection (S = Solo show, G = Group exhibition) |
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2015 | “Sono qui, puoi sentirlo?” (S), Museo di Etnopreistoria, Castel dell’Ovo, Napoli, Italy |
„Ein Jahr am neuen Standort 12.6.2014 – 12.6.2015“ (G), Ingo Seufert – Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich | |
2014 | „Da Adolfo“ (S), release of the b/w photography book, Positano, Italy |
„12 Falsa Ark“ (G, 54 artists) Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter, Svolvær, Norway; Tour (24 artists) in Norway: Kulturfabrikken, Sortland/Summer Melbu; Midt-Troms Museum, Bardufoss; Kirkenes skole; Meløy kommune; Petter Dass Museum, Alstahaug | |
“Reflex” (G), Helgeland Museum, Mosjøen, Norway | |
„Longing & Belonging“ (S), Ingo Seufert – Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich, Germany | |
2013 | „Intro 15“ (G), Ingo Seufert – Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich, Germany |
“Art For Art’s Sake” (G), Hamar, Norway | |
“Pop Hits” (G), ArtSpace Rhein-Main, Offenbach, Germany | |
„NON TI MUOVERE“ (E), textinstallation, kommunale kino, Alstahaug, Norway | |
“Reflex” (G), Luleå Konsthall, Sweden | |
“interiører-interiors 72/12”, collaboration with Hanne Bramness, Hamar Kunstforening, Hamar, Festival Exhibition at the Nordisk samtidspoesifestival, Rolf Jacobsen-dagene, Hamar, Norway | |
“Reflex” (G), Sámi Art Center, Karasjok, Norway | |
2012 | “Reflex” (G), Northern Norway Art Centre, Svolvær, Norwegen |
“Falling for Religion” (S), Blackbox theatre of the Northern Norway Art Center, Svolvær, Norway | |
Member Exhibition of the NNKS (G), Kiruna, Sweden | |
“Be my guest” (G), NNKS, Festspillene i Harstad, Norway | |
The 8th Berlin International Directors Lounge, Screening “P&P Bell Set No#1”, Berlin | |
2011 | Contemporary Art Ruhr (C.A.R.) (G), “P&P Bell Set No#1”, Directors Lounge Berlin, UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, Essen, Germany |
“As times go by” (G) Northern Norway Art Center, Svolvær, Norway | |
“Welcome” (G), ArtBase Helgeland, Sandnessjøen, Norway | |
“NEW SCREEN NEW-CASTLE” (G), NABROAD, Screening “21/11”, Newcastle, UK | |
“Pop Hits” (G), Based in Berlin, Monbijoupark, Berlin | |
“Letters from the future” (G): N E W S, Galleri 2, Stamsund International Theatre Festival, Stamsund, Norway | |
“Pop Hits” (G), Tanzschuleprojects, Munich, Germany | |
“FALLING FOR RELIGION” (S), Galleri Backer, Høgskolen i Vestfold, Norway | |
“N E W S” (S), NNKS, Barents Spektakel, Kirkenes, Norway | |
2010 | “Firmus Female” (S), Petter Dass Museum, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
“Rough and Tumble” (S-Performance), Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway | |
“Verwertung — Interdiziplinäres Kunstfestival” (G), Screening “Timeless Breath Exchange I+II”, Stattbad Wedding, Berlin, Germany | |
One minute – International film & video festival (G), “Fathers Garden”, Kino Freier Film, Aarau, Switzerland | |
“CRACK*” (G), “No. 1 – Fehrbelliner Platz” (Sound Station), Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, Germany | |
NNKS 30 Years Jubilee Exhibition (G), Harstad Art Society, Norway | |
2009 | “Hommage à Iver Jåks” (G), Fredrikstad Art Society; Hamar Art Society; Seljord Art Society; Balestrand; Stavanger Art Society; Oslo Art Society, Norway |
”The orange tree” (S), Vestfold Art Centre, Tønsberg, Norway | |
One minute – International film & video festival (G), “A study of perception”, Kino Freier Film, Aarau, Switzerland | |
Paris Photo, Eric Franck Fine Art, Grand Palais, Paris, France | |
London Art Fair, Eric Franck Fine Art, Business Design Centre, London, UK | |
“Herre i eget hus?” (G), Galleri BOA, Oslo, Norway | |
NNKS 30 Years Jubilee Exhibition, Svolvær, Norway | |
“The Affluenza Exhibition” (G), London, UK | |
2008 | ”The orange tree” (S), Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
“Hommage à Iver Jåks” (G), Alta Kunstforening; Grenseland Museet, Kirkenes; NNKS, Svolvær, Norway | |
“Illuminators” (G), “The orange tree”, Koltsovo Airport, Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
Den 62. Nordnorske Kunstutstilling (G), Nordnorsken, Norway | |
„Pubertet“ (G), Haugar Vestfold Art Museum, Tønsberg, Norway | |
2007 | One minute – International film & video festival (G), “Destinautus”, Kino Freier Film, Aarau, Switzerland |
MFA Fine Art Degree Show (G), Goldsmiths College, London, UK | |
„Dialoger“, KB48 Kunstbase Sandnessjøen, Petter Dass Dagene, Sandnessjøen, Norway | |
2006 | „KISS“ (G), ArtBase Helgeland KB48, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
“Peace Camp” (G), The Bricklane Gallery, London, UK | |
“Open Salon 2006” (G), Viewfinder Photography Gallery, London, UK | |
“Høstutstillingen # 119” (G), Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway | |
Summer Exhibition (G), Northern Norway Art Center, Svolvær, Norway | |
“Portretter” (G), Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway | |
2005 | “Landscapes” (S), Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
“Communication I-II”, two performances in sollaboration with Camilla Storm, Oslo, Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway | |
2004 | “Crossbreed” (G), MA Image & Communication Degree show, Menier Gallery, London, UK |
“Kvinner Vil Kvinner Kan” (G), Alstahaug-, Mosjoen-, Rana Kunstforening, Norway | |
2003 | “Sansenes Hus” (S), Alstahaug Kunstforening, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
“Masculine and Feminine Landscapes in Dialogue” (G), Oxo Gallery, London, UK | |
Illustrations |
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2010 | Illustrations and Cover for Jackie Kay: Adopsjonspapirene, translated by Hanne Bramness, Nordsjøforlaget, Sunde, Norway |
A Calender in Colour (2011), with lyrics by Hanne Bramness | |
Commissions (Permanent Installations) |
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2011 | BP Norge AS, SKARV FPSO |
Sandnessjøen Gymnasium, Norway | |
2006 | Haugaland DPS, Rogaland Art Centre, Norway |
Commissions (Projects) |
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2011 | “Mind The Map! – Barents Spektakel 2011” (G), “N E W S”, NNKS, Kirkenes, Norway |
“FALLING FOR RELIGION” (S), Galleri Backer, Høgskolen i Vestfold, Norway | |
2010 | Nordlandskalenderen 2011 (S), Nordlandsbanken ASA, Norway |
“Firmus Female” (S), Petter Dass Museum, Sandnessjøen, Norwegen | |
2009 | Beratende Ingenieure für das Bauwesen (S), Berlin, Germany |
2008 | “Martnansprisen” (S) Bjørnsmartnan, Norway |
2006 | “Matkulturprisen” (S), Helgeland Sparebank, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
2003 | “Sansenes Hus” (S), Alstahaug Art Society, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
Purchased by / Collections |
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2014 | Eric and Louise Franck Collection, London |
Ingo Seufert – Gallery for Contemporary Photography, Munich | |
2007 | Alstahaug Kommune, Sandnessjøen, Norway |
2003 | Helgeland Kraft AS, Mosjøen, Norway |
Bibliography – Selection |
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2013 | Georgina Turner: “The Dark Arts. Tales from the far North”, in: State. Hot & Cool Art 11 (2013) pp. 18–19 |
“interiors / interiører 72/12”, lyrics by Hanne Bramness, Artist Book, limited edition of 100, signed and numbered, published by Eric Franck Fine Art, London, UK | |
2012 | Berit Oksfjellelv: „Reflex“, in: Skinnblad 4 (2012) pp. 14–15 |
Exhibition catalogue “Reflex”, text by Torill Østby Haaland, Svolvær 2012, pp. 32–33 | |
“Galleriårbok”, NNKS, text by Torill Østby Haaland, Svolvær 2012, pp. 12, 50 | |
“Ka’ om Skarv på Helgeland”, BP Norway, Sandnessjøen 2012, pp. 184–189 | |
2011 | Amalie Marie Selvik: “Kunst i ord og neon”, in: Skinnblad 4 (2011) pp. 9–11 |
Amalie Marie Selvik: „Grensesprengende spektakel“, kunstforum.as (11/23/2011) | |
Line Ulekleiv: “Arktisk relevans på kartet“, in: Billedkunst 2 (2011) | |
“Kampen om arktis”, in: Skinnblad 1 (2011) p. 4 | |
2010 | Nicolai Strøm-Olsen: „Hva vil fremtiden bringe?“, kunstforum.as (5/27/2010) |
2008 | “Artist of the month”, in: Henne, October issue (2008) |
Exhibition catalogue “Hommage à Iver Jåks”, Nordnorsk kunstnersenter, Svolvær 2008, p. 20 | |
Exhibition catalogue “Illuminators”, Koltsovo» Airport, Yekaterinburg 2008 | |
Exhibition catalogue “Pubertet / Puberty”, Haugar Vestfold kunstmuseum, Tønsberg 2008 | |
2004 | Ina Otzko: “Mennesker og Landskap”, self-publishing Sandnessjøen 2004 |
Other Activities |
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Co-Founder of ArtBase Helgeland 66°N, Norway | |
Co-Founder of AIR Helgeland-Berlin | |
Freelance Art Consultant / Member of KORO Public Art Norway art-consultant register / C-nr. 206220 | |
Instructor for various DKS projects / Cultural Backpack-Art projects for schools 1–10 grade in Northern Norway | |
Yoga Instructor / Reiki Master Practitioner & Teacher |
Ina Otzko
„I use my body as my main tool to explore vulnerability, strength and discipline and how repetitive acts attune us to the given, chosen or forced situation. Add in my interest in how sound and vibration affects the body and mind and the aesthetical concept of energy exchange, and how it connects and affects life and its evolution, I express myself through the various mediums of photography, video, sound, installation, light, performance, text and sculpture. Particularly relevant, is the difficulty of projecting the physical, mental and spiritual perception of space & time, reading the body as a container and a temporary site-specific sculpture, which is also in constant flux. Patterns within human behavior, cause and effects, identity and memory are issues related to the hierarchical organized society and I study these from different points of view to explore the hidden subconscious matter involved, exploring new ways of perceiving and comprehending life aiming ultimately to make the invisible visible.”