The Public and private Life of Swans: English translation of a review published in the Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan February 11, 2008.



Intro:

Noli nothis permittere te terere -- don't let the bastards grind you down. The message fills Eva Drangsholt's exhibition at the Malmö Art Academy's gallery. Tor Billgren has seen it.



Article:

To Live Like a Swan
Some surfers lying on their boards are paddling through steep waves without really getting anywhere. Non of the waves seem to do -- and if the boys cannot demonstrate their skills and courage properly, it can be the same...

The film is part of Eva Drangsholt's large and well-composed video installation at the Malmö Art Academy's gallery (until February 16, 2008).

Viewed superficially, it might be about male vanity. Another film shows a few young males with sculpted bodies watching a carnival parade. They dance to the music and are highly focused on looking good from all angles. When one arrives at the third film -- a swan grooming itself -- is it easy to think that one has the key to the work. But there exists a much deeper dimension of the swan metaphor than the cheap parallel of male body fixation, and it becomes clear if one takes into account the artist's transsexual experiences. Then the swan points more to the transgendered singer Antony Hegarty's brilliant CD “I'm A Bird Now”.

Throughout the installation one can hear the sound of a slide projector that over and over again projects the same text: “Noli nothis permittere te terere” -- don't let the bastards grind you down. If one cannot live in accordance to one's requirements and personality, it can just as well be the same.

Tor Billgren
art critic

Sydsvenskan, Malmö, Sweden
February 11, 2008