Art Essay: Michael Johansson's 'Flip and Reverse - Mint' at COME WHAT MAY

𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 - 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘁

Michael Johansson, 2020

Group Exhibition: 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗬, Aeroplastics, Brussels (BE), 2021

"More than thirty artists have been invited to participate, each offering a personal and original reflection on the challenges that humanity must face today, whether they are ecological, social, human or economic in nature."

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In a quiet room where light and shadow blend softly, there’s an installation—a ladder that’s more than just wood or metal. It’s a symbol of hope, of pushing through tough times. Each step on that ladder feels like a mark of the struggles we face inside our minds, where thoughts can twist and turn like a maze. On those steps, you might see books or little pieces of memory, carefully placed but hinting at the mess of living with mental challenges, like the confusion of schizophrenia. Still, there’s a kind of order in that mess, like a path drawn by something bigger than us. This ladder doesn’t just go up; it’s a journey that takes you deep inside yourself and lifts you toward something brighter. Every step is hard but meaningful, like fitting pieces of your heart into the puzzle of life. Even when negative thoughts weigh you down, the path stays clear—leading to a place of peace, like a warm embrace waiting for you. This artwork shows that even when life feels flipped upside down, its core stays true, guided by a loving hand that points us toward a forever home.

The exhibit, called “Come What May,” feels like a hug from my Filipino roots, which in the literal sense is the phrase “Bahala Na,” which comes from “Bathala Na”—a way of saying, “I trust God to take care of me.” It’s a gentle reminder to let go and believe that things will work out. That idea hits close to home, carrying me through the tangle of my own thoughts, past the struggles of mental health, and toward a light that feels like hope. It’s a nudge that no matter how heavy life’s challenges get, there’s a higher power keeping us on track, guiding us to the purpose we’re meant to find.

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Michael Johansson, born in 1975 in Trollhättan, Sweden, is a visionary installation artist whose work transcends the ordinary and invites viewers into a world where everyday objects are transformed into extraordinary geometric forms. With a masterful eye for detail and a penchant for precision, Johansson's installations are meticulously crafted puzzles, assembling found objects into cohesive structures that challenge our perception of the mundane. His art, often described as real-life Tetris, is a harmonious blend of color, form, and texture, creating a narrative that speaks to the collective memory and the passage of time. Educated at prestigious institutions across Europe, including Malmö Art Academy, Johansson has exhibited his thought-provoking pieces globally, earning acclaim for his unique ability to densify our reality and present it back to us with a newfound sense of wonder.