Mercurial

Alchemists believe in ultimate unity of matter and spirit; the direct correlation that exists between the tangible physical world (Body) and the immaterial realm of consciousness (Soul). To them, the human Mind is the special place in the cosmos that stands in between the two worlds, and is thus able to conceive them not as separate, but rather as parallels on different dimensions. As Above, So Below: it is the very mercurial quality of the mind which embodies the practice of Alchemy itself. The physical fluidity and mobility of the chemical element is an emblem of its ability to stream between the physical and spiritual realm, in an endless exchange. Similarly, in mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods, bringing celestial information down to the world of the living, and back to the sky. In his second solo-show “Mercurial”, Berlin-based Gøneja uses photography as the primary medium to bring alive the ancient spirit of Alchemy through a combination of artistic experiments both fluid and idea-driven. An aesthetic territory which aims to surpass the limitations and duality of the rational mind through the use of symbolism, mysterious physicalities, undefinable narratives and open-ended meanings.