Welcome to the Mystery | Artist Alexander Tovborg | Louisiana Channel

“Art contains the Mystery. It contains doubt. It contains believing. It contains sharing - being part of something.”
Alexander Tovborg is a Danish artist known for his monumental works that delve into themes of spirituality and faith. In a film documenting the process of constructing his extensive solo exhibition titled "The Church" at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Tovborg explains how fantasy, mythology, and religion have shaped him as a person and as an artist.
As a child, Tovborg developed a deep love for folklore, storytelling, and fairy tales, which later expanded to include an interest in Magic cards and science fiction which became a prism through which he sought to understand himself and the world around him. Upon losing his father, a teenage Alexander Tovborg decided to become an artist and has since created art that reflects a persistent engagement with the universal quest for meaning.
As a painter, sculptor, and performance artist, Tovborg investigates how religious imagery and narratives shape the human condition. Layering symbolism and stories found in the Bible and other religious texts, Tovborg wants us to reflect upon what it is we believe in:
“What I’m doing is not a genius thing. I am not inventing anything at all. But I am using the tools that were given through art history to talk about the imagery: The power of the image, the power of the myth.”
The church as an institution and as a sacred space holds significant meaning for Tovborg. In the film, he visits the church where he was baptized and where his father's funeral took place. Through reflections on the architecture and mythology of the church, Tovborg invites the viewers to contemplate the role of art in their own spiritual quests.
Alexander Tovborg (b. 1983) graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Art in 2010.
His works have been featured in galleries and institutions worldwide, including ARoS, Overgaden, and GL Strand in Denmark, State of Concept in Athen, Camden Art Centre in London, IMMA Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, and various public art commissions. His works are represented in the collections at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, Kunsthalle Bremen, ARKEN in Ishøj, ARoS in Aarhus, and the Museum of Religious Art in Lemvig.
Alexander Tovborg was interviewed by Nanna Rebekka in his studio in Copenhagen and Jesuskirken in Valby, Denmark in April 2023.
Cinematographer: Philip Peng Rosenthal
Editor and produced by: Nanna Rebekka
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2023
Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet, C.L. Davids Fond og Samling, and Fritz Hansen.
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[@carsick518]

I am so grateful to have watched this video and to Alexander for this glimpse into his practice. I haven’t been this moved artistically in a while. Hearing this was like a reminder that I am on the right path.

[@SamlaOruga]

There is a before and an after when you hear sensitive people. Beautiful. Thanks Alexander.

[@tantrictraveller1212]

now that's entertainment - thanks for this❤

[@mazgan3890]

First off I love this. Second, this artist is the stereotype of what an artist is in popular culture.

[@thaihwang]

lol i was literally thinking that

[@dav1729]

wonderful, just wonderful!

[@Zegum69]

♥

[@KBD-ONE]

I love this. When I try to explain things to people, they seem lost. So painting is my language now.

[@bearbait7405]

Sanctity and dignity in the mystery of being a human being. Thank you for introducing this artist. This channel and Loren Munk’s James Kalm Report nourish my practice like no other channels on KZbin

[@marjanjoudi1572]

An honest and unique artist ,I enjoyed so much

[@rodrigoherrera2154]

Beautiful Being.,.With expanding Mind of Light.!.

[@user-qo5sl7xb8k]

Really nice video! Great visual story telling and good editing.

[@beautifulari1648]

This was very beautifull thank u

[@fastpastgonebye]

A father, A son, and the artist's ghost, forever haunted.

[@bearbait7405]

I wept. Autistic folks have much to teach us. I thank God for my autistic son. He taught me humility when he said these words to me-“How can I know?” I think this artist tells the same truth. How can we know? Being a human being is a mystery. We would be wise to spend time quietly in such a place and consider this mystery of being. Experience life, yes, but reflect on the sheer enormity of what we may never know. I have Faith and it was my son who brought me to the God who does know.

[@nikolausgerszewski2086]

don't play the artist. just be yourself.

[@joebentleytheartist]

His myth is great.Hes playing you I love the act.

[@annapikos9226]

Very interesting personality 🩵😊

[@thePlum]

godbless

[@ajones3569]

Wowed 3 minutes in

[@mamumonkan]

thank you for ending the video before he completes his genuflection

[@littlerelief5029]

Alex Brooker's art cousin

[@susannecromwell3461]

I understand the mystery, it's a person called Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the image, not a church. We are his living church. Bless you! ❤️‍🔥

[@jeremiahjohnson2741]

it would actually be nice to see the work, all I see is the talk.

[@mamumonkan]

@NannaRebekka could someone from @LouisianaChannel please clarify if this artist is autistic or not.

[@nathanieldeclarador1466]

Repsect

[@TyneandwearTagalong]

Can’t quite work out the guy if he’s genuine or not,

[@figgettit]

he has autism its great to see someone turn that into art

[@mamumonkan]

It is said that he is supportive of people with autism, but neither from his art nor the fluidity off his presentation could I deduct that he is an autistic person himself.

[@bearbait7405]

I wept. Autistic folks have much to teach us. I thank God for my autistic son. He taught me humility when he said these words to me-“How can I know?” I think this artist tells the same truth. How can we know? Being a human being is a mystery. We would be wise to spend time quietly in such a place and consider this mystery of being. Experience life, yes, but reflect on the sheer enormity of what we may never know. I have Faith and it was my son who brought me to the God who does know.

[@stellasi1]

Jonathan Meese is anti art at least