National Egoism

Forgive the nations, thaey clearly do not understand where they are going… Tjook ’24

Tjook’s installation “Å være seg selv nok” (To Be Enough for Oneself), first exhibited at the Old Munch Art Hall as part of the “Between Me and Norway” exhibition (May – June 2024), boldly challenges themes surrounding national identity and ethical dilemmas in modern Norway. The artwork employs symbolic elements—a pair of half-height mountain boots, a flag, and a connected red fuse—to provoke a dialogue about self-sufficiency, cultural isolation, and the consequences of national egoism.

The phrase “Å være seg selv nok,” attributed to Henrik Ibsen’s play “Peer Gynt,” encapsulates a theme central to the nature of identity and self-sufficiency. In “Peer Gynt,” Ibsen explores the journey of the main character, Peer Gynt, who lives entirely for himself, pursuing his desires without regard for others. This theme of self-indulgence and isolation reflects the idea of being “enough for oneself” in a critical light, highlighting the tension between self-reliance and selfishness.

Central to the installation are two mountain boots resembling shoes produced in Asia, each painted in one of the primary colors red and blue, connected with a red fuse that functions as shoelaces. This arrangement not only alludes to the iconic choice between a red and a blue pill, known from “The Matrix,” where the red pill represents an invitation to uncover the harsh reality, while the blue pill symbolizes a choice to remain in blissful ignorance. This choice prompts the audience to reflect on the value of truth versus comfort and challenges them to consider the consequences of confronting or avoiding reality in their own lives.

National Egoism is a Tjook project that wants to engage in public space.

Already i 2013 I came up with the term ‘National Egoism’ in a discussion with a friend on the upswing of the right-wing populism in Norway.

Today, in my opinion, this term plays a pivotal role in world politics. National Egoism is of course a logo without a clear organization or company behind it. Therefore it is intended to act as a major question mark and appeal to people’s ideas and ​​associations. As an artist, like many, I feel I am stuck in this muddle and I do not want to stay outside that discussion. The artwork should in all likelihood lead to discussion and recognition. I want to contribute in commitment and self-awareness to important social issues that the term refers to.

The artwork is produced in 3 dimensional logos / light advertising, both in Norwegian and English- It is placed and photographed and exhibited in different contexts both urban, local or as part of an exhibition.

Prototypes are handmade by me to test out form and concept while robust and weatherproof form is ordered from a professional supplier. The project needs support for both physical production and delivery but also for all communication work to find a place in the public and be visible to the public.

Onliners

I have worked with text as an art idea for many years like many other artists such as John Giorno, Barbara Kruger, Lars Ramberg and Ole Martin Lund.