REBORN

Last days. Mixed media, upcycled textile, 30x40 cm

Fragility. Mixed media, upcycled textile, 50×60 cm

A solo exhibition by Julie Vej at Bien Contemporary

October 5 - November 15, 2023

Reborn marks the first solo exhibition of Copenhagen-based visual artist Julie Vej, who explores the connection between traditional belief systems surrounding Buddhist reincarnation and contemporary Nordic views on sustainability.

Vej, a former fashion designer, was deeply troubled by the waste and overproduction of the industry. She decided to transform this problem into an opportunity for artistic expression and social activism, creating Mottainai studio. Mottainai is a Japanese term of Buddhist origin that conveys a sense of regret for wasting something valuable. It is often used as an exclamation, such as "mottainai!" when something is thrown away.

In Reborn, Vej gives new life to discarded or unused textiles, showcasing works made entirely from upcycled materials, either found by the artist herself or donated by various local designers and tailors.

Vej weaves a number of Buddhist symbols into her textile creations, from trees (strongly associated with enlightenment in Buddhist belief) to circular shapes, evoking the ongoing cycle of life, death and rebirth. Buddhist reincarnation is the belief that after death, one continues to exist in a different form. The goal is, in fact, to break free from the cycle of rebirth by reaching "nirvana", a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self.

In a way, Vej's reused textiles can be seen as having reached their own kind of nirvana - a state in which everyday items, discarded canvases and paint, have transcended into the "enlightened" form of artworks. Or perhaps they are simply waiting to be "reborn" once again – whether that happens by being incorporated into a new work of art, or being placed in an entirely new context during a future exhibition…

Vej’s interest in harmonizing people, nature, myths and reality by merging two very distant yet often overlapping cultures, challenges audiences to rethink conventional notions of beauty and waste. By drawing inspiration from both Japanese and Nordic aesthetics and philosophy, she creates a unique style that blends East and West, tradition and innovation.

For more information about the exhibition and/or to book a tour, please write to the curator Cila Brosius at crbbrsosius@gmail.com or the artist Julie Vej at julievej.studio@gmail.com.

About the Artist

Julie Vej (b. 1993) founded her label Mottainai Studio while studying sustainable fashion design in Copenhagen. During her studies she experimented with textile, upcycling and aesthetics. She made a conscious decision not to follow the trends of the fast-paced fashion industry, and, instead, created her own artistic vision of “Slow Aesthetics” – a way of making and appreciating art that is more meaningful by taking the time to do deeper research and reuse existing materials instead of discarding them.

Instagram: @mottainai_studio_

Website: julievej.com

Practical Information:

Reborn

A solo exhibition by Julie Vej

Oct 5 - Nov 15, 2023

Bien Contemporary // Vester Voldgade 8, 1552 København K

Curated by Cila Brosius

Press Release

Gallery Opening Hours:

Mon, 5-8pm: Oct 16, Oct 23, Oct 30, Nov 1, Nov 13

Tue, Mo, 5-8pm: Oct 31, Nov 7