An ant-shaped woven temple from the rainforest of French Guiana filled with a symphony of scents from aromatherapeutic medical herbs by new media artist Tabita Rezaire (b. 1989) and architect and composer Yussef Agbo-Ola (b. 1990).   

A large-scale video and sound installation that follows a gathering of grotesque and mysterious furry creatures by Tori Wrånes (b. 1978). 

A psychedelic distortion of archival photographs of individuals experiencing different states of catharsis by renowned visual artist Jeremy Shaw (b. 1977) 

Felt-lined medicine cabinets of antique glass bottles filled with holy water from sacred sources around the world by Susan Hiller (b. 1969), trained anthropologist and one of the most influential artists of her generation.  

These are just some of the aesthetic and transcending experiences visitors can look forward to delving into when visiting ARoS' upcoming exhibition.  

The Cosmos Within provides inspiration for other ways of understanding today's modern society, which is otherwise defined by all-encompassing digital systems, climate change and political, social and religious conflicts. 

"In a time of ecological crisis, political and religious instability, and technological breakthroughs, many people feel the urge to rethink and revitalize their relation to nature, the bodily, and spiritual life. With The Cosmos Within, ARoS invites visitors to question rational Western society and to let their minds wander into alternative worldviews. This exhibition perfectly captures the zeitgeist of today," says Museum Director Rebecca Matthews. 

Ei Arakawa, Emma Kunz, Emma Talbot, Evan Ifekoya, Jeremy Shaw, Patricia Domínguez, Rachel Rose, Susan Hiller, Suzanne Treister, Tabita Rezaire and Yussef Agbo-Ola, Tori Wrånes, and Zheng Bo all consider their art works portals leading the observer into new, sensory worlds. 

Using symbols, magical narratives, rituals, and meditative spaces, the 13 artists work in textiles, drawings, photographs, paintings, and immersive performance and video installations to lead the observer into alternative and sensual worlds, where modern man's relationship with nature, the body and the spiritual are rethought and revived. 

"With The Cosmos Within, we bring the audience into the future and back into the past. Inspired by spiritual and philosophical traditions, mystical thinkers, and alternative religious communities, the artists in this exhibition introduce ancient as well as new world views. They introduce us to the healing elements of art and its potential to cultivate new types of communities and systems of thoughts," says Maria Kappel Blegvad, curator at ARoS. 

First opening in new exhibition trilogy 

The Cosmos Within is the first exhibition in ARoS' new ambitious exhibition trilogy Making New Worlds, which will be presented in 2023, 2025 and 2027.  

This series of exhibitions feature art of the highest international quality and deal with societal questions regarding human behaviour, societal conditions, identity, and the sense of community. The exhibitions introduce – each with a different focus – new future-oriented ideas and reactions to the accelerating, complex, and digitalized world we inhabit. 

The Cosmos Within is on view at ARoS from December 2 2023 to April 7 2024 at Level 1.  

The exhibition is co-curated by independent writer and art historian Jeppe Ugelvig, who together with ARoS curator Maria Kappel Blegvad, has developed and realized the concept and content of the exhibition.  

A richly illustrated catalogue with text by writer Kristian Leth, ARoS curator Maria Kappel Blegvad, and co-curator Jeppe Ugelvig is published in relation to the exhibition. 

The exhibition is realized with generous support from the Obel Family Foundation, the Vilhelm Kiers Foundation, the S.C. Van Foundation, the Danish Arts Foundation, and Ege Carpets.   

Press photos can be freely downloaded from Dropbox when giving due credit.

For additional information, please contact:

Astrid Ildor
Press and Communications Manager, ARoS
(+45) 61 90 49 42
asil@aros.dk