Bio
Born 1960 in Norway, Johannessen works within performance, artist?s books, video and installations since the early eighties. His work is minimalist and poetic, and at times with a touch of humour. He is his own publisher and has produced more than 80 books, many of them translated into English. The books vary from just one sentence to short stories or just pictures. He has created 250 different performances and has presented his work extensively in Europe, and in some countries in Asia and America. In 2007 he had a larger exhibition, presenting installation video and performances in Bergen Art Museum. Part of the exhibition was retrospective. See www.zeth.no for more info.
Statement
Presence in the situation is fundamental to my work. I try to keep whatever else as open as possible so as not to precondition the possibilities. This is the starting point. At the same time, however, I am concerned with finding situations that can generate qualities I have not experienced before. I frequently minimize to one image and then create microscopic variations within this frame. At other times the situation has more complex implications, but remains within a poetical minimalist expression. I mainly work with performances, installations and books. The works are often related to place.
