Kjartan Abel is a multi-disciplinary artist and technologist whose work explores the dynamic relationship between art, technology, time, and space. His practice fuses artistic experimentation with a deep understanding of digital systems, driven by a passion for accessibility, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
Through installation art, sound art, and digital media, Abel creates immersive and thought-provoking experiences that challenge our perception of the world. He often investigates the impact of technology on human experience, employing diverse media to examine themes of temporality, spatiality, observation, and the construction of value.
Art Practice: Time and Space
My projects and creative work delve into the fundamental yet often elusive dimensions of time and space, exploring their profound influence on human perception, interaction, and our very construction of reality. These investigations often interrogate the ways in which technology, a powerful force in the contemporary world, mediates our experience of these dimensions, subjecting them to processes of compression, distortion, abstraction, and even virtual transcendence.
Recurring Themes
Temporal Distortion
Many projects disrupt traditional linear paradigms of time, manipulating its perceived flow or presenting alternative temporal frameworks. For example, installations like “Device for Spatial Playback” and “Waiting Room” invite non-linear and participatory engagements with time, prompting reflection on the fluid nature of memory, the anticipatory tension of the future, and the ever-shifting present.
Spatial Reconfiguration
These projects frequently reconfigure or redefine the boundaries and properties of space, both in its physical and conceptual manifestations. “The Longest Circuit” demonstrates the radical compression of vast geographical distances facilitated by digital networks. “With the Interactive Soundscape” transforms the human body into an active agent that sculpts and activates sonic space, blurring the lines between performer and environment.
The Interplay of the Mundane and the Infinite
Everyday objects and settings are often juxtaposed with explorations of profound temporal and spatial concepts, creating a bridge between the tangible and the intangible. A seemingly ordinary waiting room, a simple light switch, a transactional receipt – these familiar elements become portals for contemplating the nature of existence, the vastness of the digital world, or the potential for encounters with alternative realities.
The Poetics of Waiting
The act of waiting, frequently dismissed as a passive void, is examined as a potent focal point in works like “Waiting Room,” prompting a deeper reflection on the phenomenology of anticipation, the embodied experience of presence, and the subjective unfolding of time’s passage.
Artistic Goals
Ultimately, my projects aim to create immersive and thought-provoking experiences that encourage audiences to actively question their ingrained assumptions about the nature of time and space, and to critically consider the profound and often unseen ways in which these fundamental dimensions shape the contours of our individual and collective existence.
Music
Music has always been a way for me to connect with people, tell stories, and express emotions. Over the years, I’ve realized that creativity thrives when it’s shared openly, not hoarded behind paywalls or exclusive rights. That’s why I’ve made the decision to give away my music for free, under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license.
The CC BY-SA license isn’t just about free access—it’s about empowering others to build on my work, remix it, and make it their own. This license aligns with my belief that art should be a conversation, not a monologue. By allowing others to adapt and share my music, I hope to contribute to a cycle of creativity that grows larger than any one individual.
CC BY-SA is, in my view, the fairest way to share music. It ensures that anyone who uses my music gives proper credit to its origin, while also requiring them to share their own adaptations under the same open terms. This creates a level playing field where creative freedom is balanced with responsibility.
As someone passionate about supporting others—whether artists, filmmakers, podcasters, or hobbyists—I want my music to be a resource, not a barrier. Making it freely available means it can reach projects and people who might otherwise not have the means to access professional-grade music.
This decision isn’t just about music; it’s about my values as a creative individual. Sharing openly reflects my belief in collaboration, inclusivity, and the idea that creativity knows no bounds. By giving freely, I’m not losing control—I’m gaining the joy of knowing my work can live on in ways I might never have imagined.
Web Development
A tech-savvy and content-driven web developer with over 20 years of experience, Kjartan Abel specializes in creating accessible and user-friendly web solutions for the cultural sector and digital media. His expertise encompasses all stages of web development, from design and structure to storytelling and user experience.
Core Competencies
- Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, eZ Publish, Umbraco)
- CMS management, content structure, and editorial strategy
- Universal design (WCAG 2.1), accessibility and user experience
- Content production (text, photography, video, podcasting, drone footage)
- Music production, sound design, and royalty-free audio for creative use
- AI-supported tools for metadata, forms, and creative workflows
- Digital forms and self-service solutions for the public sector
- SEO, analytics, and social media campaigns
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration, training, and creative consulting
Curriculum Vitae
Kjartan Abel is a multi-disciplinary artist and technologist with a background in fine art, audio production, and digital systems. His work spans installation art, sound art, web development, and digital media, driven by a passion for accessibility, creativity, and the intersection of art and technology.
Education
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University College London (UCL), Slade School of Fine Art
MFA in Fine Art Media, 2007 – 2009
Explored interaction, spatiality, and the merging of physical and digital environments. Hands-on practice with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Processing. Critical engagement with the role of technology in society and art. Master’s project explored time and space through installation art.
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Kingston University
BA(Hons) Fine Art, 2005 – 2007
First Class Honours (A). Early work on AI-driven interactions and physical-digital connections. Focused on digital storytelling, visual communication, and media history.
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Strykejernet Art School
Foundation in Visual Arts, 2003 – 2005
Colour theory, composition, photography, and darkroom practice. Introduced to digital tools and cross-media collaboration.
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NISS (Nordic Institute for Stage and Studio)
Audio Engineering, 1995 – 1998
Training in digital sound design, acoustics, and music production. Developed skills in both studio work and live recording.