h/ånd

The exhibition h/ånd (hånd=hand; ånd=spirit) is a solo show featuring the Danish visual artist Michala Paludan, who will unfold the relationship between humanity, technology, automation, and work. The exhibition calls into question the implications of technology for humanity and society both now and in the future.

The exhibition features, for example, Paludan's comprehensive project and photo series The Unposed (EoAT) based on extensive research into the robotics industry and include photographs depicting different robot hands from around the world. In the robotics industry, the acronym EoAT stands for End of Arm Tool, an implement performing a specific task such as holding, cutting, lifting, hammering, or stroking. The photo series is shown with other recent works comprising a video work and a large sound installation relating and examining the influence and power of technology in human relations, the private sphere, and society.

Paludan's works are created via interdisciplinary processes and require extensive preparation in the form of planning and research, often presenting research-based issues and narratives about work and automation.

The exhibition title h/ånd comes from Lars Bang Larsen's article 'Seeing H/ånds' in Michala Paludan's book, The Unposed (EoAT), 2024. Published by Disko Bay. The book is available from the Fotografisk Center bookshop.

About Michala Paludan
Michala Paludan (born 1983) is a Danish visual artist who lives and works in Copenhagen. Over the past decade, Paludan has examined how power is produced and negotiated across networks and movements in media such as video, photography, and installation. Paludan is a fellow from the Whitney Independent Study Program (2012) after gaining an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts (2011). She also studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 2005 until 2009. In 2026 Paludan will also take part in the group exhibitions Frøsamlerne at SMK Thy, the National Gallery of Denmark at Hurup, western Jutland, Strange Attraction at Malva, Finland, and Daddy Issues at Gammel Strand, Copenhagen.

Event programme and teaching material
In connection with the exhibition h/ånd a talk with artist Michala Paludan and Nadim Samman will be held focusing on art and technology. Nadim Samman is an art historian and curator. He read Philosophy at University College London before receiving his PhD from the Courtauld Institute of Art. He is the writer of the publication Poetics of Encryption. Art and the Technocene (2023) and has recently curated the exhibition Poetics of Encryption. Art and Artificial Intelligence at Kunsthal Charlottenborg (2024-2025) that explored the dark side of tech. The talk takes place 19 March at 4.30-5.15pm.

Thursday 26 February and 26 March at 5-5.30pm a guided tour in the exhibition h/ånd will also be held where you can learn more about the exhibition and the works. All events are free after paid entrance to the exhibition.

On occasion of the exhibition h/ånd teaching material will be produced. The material can be downloaded for free from 7 February here. All primary schools and high schools in the Municipality of Copenhagen have free access to Fotografisk Center. 

The exhibition is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation, Augustinus Fonden, and Knud Højgaards Fond.