The films and installations by Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg transport us into mythical worlds populated by enigmatic creatures. Yet, the wondrous and fantastic creatures engage in a gruesome game, and evil lurks in every corner.
The Swedish artist duo became known for their stop-motion films, in which they bring to life dolls, constructed of plasticine and fabric, in surreal, humorous, and frightening tales. Nathalie Djurberg handcrafts the elaborate environments and characters and is also responsible for the post-production of the videos and films. The music is composed by Djurberg’s partner, the musician and composer Hans Berg. Similar to the silent films of the early 20th century, music is an important design element in these works; it drives the storyline forward and accompanies the characters along their way.
In the duo’s single-channel video We Are Not Two We Are One (2008), a mythical hybrid—half wolf, half human—enters a cozy eat-in kitchen. While the wolf half instinctively devours any food it finds, the human half attempts to carefully prepare a meal. An inevitable conflict ensues. In the end, both halves of the hybrid weep bitterly because their needs are irreconcilable.
