Is it art? Or what is it? If you stand in front of a handmade wooden object and wonder about this very thing, it is probably the art and design duo Mork & Abel who made it. For the "8 Prints" exhibition, they have made a handmade wooden comb. The idea comes from Mork's life, the material from Abel's forest, and together they have created Kammen, which they hope will provide a natural reminder to take care of each other.
What kind of work do you make?
We are an art and design duo who work in the gap between experiences and things. Mork & Abel is sustainable, because it is the only way to move forward. To put it bluntly: Everything else is self-harm.
When in life did you first learn about your field of work? What brought you there?
We were born into the industry. Abel grew up in the art industry, Mork in the publishing industry, worth noting in the same quarter in Oslo. Abel's family started Norway's first gallery in 1864, Mork's father was Gyldendal's publishing manager for over two decades. At the same time, we both have roots from Møre and Romsdal, the fjord, the fields, the mountains, the forest. Our best - and mothers' ability to create a home has also influenced us to the highest degree.
"Inspiration is for amateurs. All the best ideas come from the process, from the work itself, being in the studio, being with the material."
What is the best advice you have received?
The best advice, which we also work on, is: "Inspiration is for amateurs. All the best ideas come from the process, from the work itself, being in the studio, being with the material." Free after the painter Chuck Close.
What is your relationship with the various materials you work with?
We live with them. Right now we are working with Norwegian oak and pine, at the same time as we live in the forest where oak and pine grow. We find, gather and dry it ourselves. We follow it from beginning to handover.
Tell us a little about your workplace!
Everyday life is our workplace. We work where we are. The antennas are almost always on. On the kitchen counter, on a walk in the forest, on a trip, in a conversation over the phone. We alternate between working in nature and in cities. We like the different perspectives it gives us. The pulse, the calm. We also have a large workshop with 5.5 meters under the roof and with all the lighting and equipment you can dream of.
What is the most challenging thing about being your own boss?
To say no. We often get assignments and opportunities, in ways that are very privileged. Finding the right projects at the right time is the most challenging. Where should we put our energy? Where can we contribute the most? is the question we always ask before we make the decision about who and what we work with.
What motivates you?
Life. Nature. Society's improvement potential. We are also inspired by being uncompromising towards embracing nature as the most precious thing we have.
Do you have any tricks or techniques that never fail if you need inspiration or to get out of routines?
Keep everything close. Spending time with the material is key for us. We carry it with us in our pockets. Getting familiar with it. Keeping it close. We start there. Together.
"Spending time with the material is key for us. We carry it in our pocket. Get to know it. Keep it close."
Tell us a little about the object you are presenting in this year's exhibition.
The comb: A wooden comb, oak, Norwegian, handmade. The idea comes from Mork's life, the material from Abel's forest, and together we have created the Comb which we again hope will give you a natural reminder to take care of yourself and yours. The brief we received was to create a product that is inspired by the feminine. After several good conversations, we agreed that for us one of the most important feminine qualities is: Caring. For oneself and others. Mork is the mother of two paws aged 8 and 10. Both with long hair, that inspired us to create Kammen. To comb, to groom, in presence. The comb is meant to last for generations and comes with a generation chart.
How did the collaboration get started?
Through a unique chemistry and shared values. We explored for two years before we knew exactly what we wanted to create. Both are clear that we as a society must return to old sustainable methods. Thus we ended up creating a necessary art experiment where we explore whether it is possible: To be "a factory" where we create unique, environmentally friendly things, experiences/gatherings/knowledge hubs and at the same time earn enough to feed a family of four. Can we be uncompromising on behalf of nature and man and succeed in making a living? We have started that exploration and so far the answer is a resounding YES.
What kind of imprint or representation of yourselves have you left in the works for this exhibition?
Handmade from A-Z. From our hand to yours. That's how close it is. Without Mork's son and daughter, this product would not have been created. Without the ability to collect, dry and transform the oak from material to object of use, Kammen would not have come into being.
About Mork & Abel
In the border between art and design, between things and experiences, you will find the duo Mork & Abel. In the unexpected, the sustainable, the razor-sharp, the caring.
Uncompromising on behalf of nature. Uncompromising on behalf of life.
The duo Mork & Abel consists of storyteller, photographer and designer Hilde Mork and artist Jannik Abel.
