Jenny Hval at MoMA PS1
photo by Edwina Hay

Jenny Hval played MoMA PS1 (pics), releasing her debut novel this fall

Jenny Hval played MoMA PS1 on March 17 which, despite it being a Saturday, was part of the museum’s Sunday Series. For this site-specific show the Norwegian artist was aided by Orfee Schuijt who provided visuals and danced on certain songs particular songs, and Håvard Volden, her longtime collaborator and partner in their new project Lost Girls. For her set, Jenny moved between two catwalk areas set up in front of the audience (who remained seated throughout), and one of the songs was based on an interaction she had with AI program Cleverbot. Pictures from the PS1 show are in the gallery above.

Lost Girls was born out of a desire to “go deeper into the chaos of composition, creating longer pieces inspired by analogue synths, radio plays, the lightness and intimacy of Robert Ashley’s music, and the complexity of technology permeating their daily lives.” Their debut EP, Feelings, came out earlier this month on Smalltown Supersound and features two 10+ minute tracks and you can stream it below.

Jenny, who will also play Big Ears and FORM Arcosanti festivals this spring, has also written her first novel, titled Paradise Rot, which will be out in October via Penguin/Random House. Here’s the synopsis:

A lyrical and uncompromising debut novel from a highly acclaimed musician and artist, who has achieved renown for the sharpness of her work, and its sexual and political imagery.

Jo is in a strange new country for university, and having a more peculiar time than most. A house with no walls, a roommate with no boundaries, and a home that seems ever more alive. Jo’s sensitivity, and all her senses, become increasingly heightened and fraught, as the lines between bodies and plants, and dreaming and wakefulness, blur and mesh.

This debut novel from critically acclaimed artist and musician Jenny Hval, presents a heady and hyper-sensual portrayal of sexual awakening and queer desire. A complex, poetic and strange novel about bodies, sexuality and the female gender.

You can pre-order Paradise Rot now and check out the jacket art below.

jenny-hval-paradise-rot

photos by Edwina Hay