HP (Hillside Projects) is an artistic entity formed by Emily Berry Mennerdahl (1980) and Jonas Böttern (1977). HP is based in Stockholm. HP’s main interest is in performance and the role of the performer, with an emphasis on the discursive possibilities of telling tales and the resisting of single narratives. Through a conceptual approach and a performative methodology, HP creates works where birds, most often, serve as the main protagonists. The works take their form as video and public performances alongside text, sound and imagery. In their making, the tales of birds expand into larger narratives where socio-political layers and existential emotions unravel alongside notions of life’s many cycles, transition, eating and being eaten, and dust. We are all stardust. At times, the tales HP tells appear tragic, yet HP believes that absurdities, humour and intimacy are all essential elements in telling the tragic. Quite recently, HP has begun to shift its gaze upon itself, questioning its members’ roles in telling tales. Who are they to tell a story, and which stories are theirs to tell? How do they tell the stories in relation to each other and in relation to their audience? HP also actively explores the concept of an audience. An audience in movement, an audience that is not alive, an intimate audience, a large audience, and one not physically present. HP asks what an audience is and what it can be. HP intermittently collaborates with others as part of its artistic vision and occasionally engages in smaller curatorial spurs. It aims to create works that can unravel in environments such as, but not limited to, an ambulating stage, participatory walks, research contexts, screenings, community halls and exhibitions.
HP’s videos are distributed by FilmForm - The Art Film and Video Archive and Vidéographe Montréal. HP has taken part in artist residencies such at IASPIS (SE),Clark House Initiative-Mumbai, Box Autumn Studios at Galleri Box-Gothenburg, Banff Centre Canada, TCG Nordica Kunming-China as well as shown their works in exhibitions and screenings at amongst others Röda Sten konsthall, Dazibao Montréal, Galleri54 Gothenburg, Oberhausen Film Festival Germany, Bonniers Konsthall etc. RThey have been awarded grants from the Swedish Arts Council, Konstakademin as well as private stipends.
Emily Berry Mennerdahl (1980), holds an MFA in Studio Arts from Concordia University, Montréal (2009) and a B.A. (Hons) in Photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK (2004). Since returning to Sweden, she has participated in the Independent Study Programme at Valand Art Academy, Gothenburg (2009) and The Photographic Artist Book Postgraduate Course at The Royal Institute of Art Stockholm (2018). Berry Mennerdahl has taken part in residencies, screenings and exhibitions in, amongst other places, The Banff Centre, Articule Montréal, Excentris Montréal, Botkyrka Konsthall, and Urbis Centre. Berry Mennerdahl was a research assistant at Hexagram -Media Arts at Concordia University and has worked as a guest teacher on the BA Photography course at Manchester School of Art, MMU, UK (2010-2013) as well as the course PostMejan at The Royal Institute of Art Stockholm (2019-2024). She also works as a translator in the Arts and Culture Sector.
Jonas Böttern (1977) completed his MFA in Fine Arts at Konstfack - University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm (2016). Upon graduation from Konstfack, Böttern was awarded the honourable Principle Scholarship. Recently (2020), Jonas completed the postgraduate course Art in the Open at Konstfack. Before his studies at Konstfack, Böttern has participated in artist residencies in China and India and is self-taught with a background in painting and drawing. Travelling has always played a significant role in his artistic practice and continues to do so. In 2022, Böttern completed the postgraduate course The Photographic Artist Book - Performing Sustainability at The Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm and Sound in Interaction: Sound Art, Sound Architecture and Sound Design at Konstfack, Stockholm.