Armageddon – The End, a topographical survey, 2013
Book and exhibition.
Press release:
Armageddon – The End, a topographical survey by Carl Johan Erikson can be considered a logical conclusion of a long-running, ongoing artistic practice. For two decades, Erikson has worked on the conceptual documentation of practices and artefacts in the Pentecostal Church’s contexts and environments.
The book’s physical point of departure is the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel and Palestine, regarded to be Armageddon (described in the Book of Revelation 16:12 – 16) where the Antichrist will gather his troops for the final battle between good and evil. The valley is strategically important to the region and more than 30 bloody historical battles have been fought there over the course of 4,000 years. Egyptians, Greeks, Muslims, Crusaders, Mongols, Britons, Germans, Arabs and Israelis have all fought and died there. Today, the fertile valley is a productive agricultural area with a sophisticated irrigation system. It is also known for its rich birdlife.
The book’s intellectual point of departure comes from those anxiety-ridden scenarios told in such a lively manner during Erikson’s upbringing in the Pentecostal Church. Preaching both hope and fear in equal measure, they foretold the end of days, Judgement Day, Armageddon, the Antichrist and the end of the world, which can occur at any time. The great fear of not being ready when Jesus returns to Earth and being left behind, continues to influence the artist even to the present day.
In total, Erikson spent three weeks in Armageddon on a number of occasions in recent years. During his recurrent visits, he has approached the area’s topology and structure, as well as his own perceptions about the end of all things.
Release Göteborgs Konsthall, Göteborg, och Rönnells Antikvariat, Stockholm hösten 2013.
The book Armageddon – The End, a topographical survey is pubilshed by OEI edtör, 2013
