"The Fire of Tongues probably has several meanings. There is the spiritual fire: tongues of flame licking at the base of the martyr's stake or licking the preacher's soul; there is the fire of sexual desire, hot and wet tongues licking the skin; and there are the different tongues of language, word and gesture.
Kivland's installation combines all three meanings implicit in the title. The impression is firstly of smell (the gentle burning of paraffin lamps) and sound (the buzz of neon), before actual objects or images--a reversal of the usual priorities of gallery art.
The Fire of Tongues addresses the ways in which we look at each other and at ourselves, male and female, and the impetus behind these looks." - Author: Ann Cullis, 1991
