AMCN exhibition 2025

Therese Bülow, ‘Bounce’
Leaf Springs, gravel
2025

By a tunnel, where mountain bikers and horseback riders cross paths, some sort of stands have appeared; barriers or skate ramps, maybe. They are not very big, sloping like the landscape, serving as odd podiums for the ornate objects leaning up against them: leaf springs. Taste the word—it carries notes of beech forest and bouncy castle.

In truth, they are spare parts from heavy trucks, designed to absorb the shocks of the vehicle’s suspension. But here, they are taking a break. They are used to being under pressure; but here, there is no place for them to bounce. They hang out, watch the traffic go by, maybe think of their kin still at work beneath the heavy trucks still heard rumbling out on the highways. What is a form without a function? On one hand, they are miracles: who knew that such beautiful shapes existed beneath vehicles. On the other hand, they evoke pity. What are they supposed to do now, having outlived their purpose?