Kategori: Monuments

“Put the kettel on!”

Artist Hans Martin Øien is behind the art installation ‘Put over the kettle!’. It is a gift from the bank Sparebanken Hedmark's art fund and consists of a large copper kettle with additional elements in corten steel.

– "I looked through a lot of old photos of the forestry workers in the area and realised that many of the photos showed a coffee kettle or the forestry workers sitting around the fire with a coffee kettle. That's when I realised that the coffee kettle was very important to those who worked in the forest," says the artist of the large copper kettle" says Hans Martin Øien.

The coffee kettle has two dimensions where it stands. Firstly, the spout of the coffee kettle points down Kaffegata, and in terms of the history of Kaffegata, this is a very good thing. The street was once full of coffee shops. The other thing is the three figures we can see standing around the roundabout. These bear witness to the area we're in in terms of logging and the cream business that has been here in the district.

Hans Martin Øien is a Norwegian visual artist and sculptor. He mainly works with art in public spaces, with several different expressions and materials.

Hans Martin Øien is among those who utilised the 1980s approach to various historical styles, techniques and themes. One of the strongest historical references in Øien's art is Norwegian woodcarving, joinery and lacquering techniques. His favoured material has been wood, which in a sculptural context is a soft and pliable material. It can be moulded both by subtracting through scraping, sawing and chopping, or by assembling elements. The reference to folk art and the use of wood and stone as elements is intended to emphasise the role of the artwork as a craft product. The works can also be related to how the Western art scene has related to art linked to craft traditions in other parts of the world. Øien's works from 2005 to the present day address this issue in that they were created in collaboration with Asian craftsmen as well as Norwegian ones.

Hans Martin Øien has had the state's guaranteed income since 2008.

 

 

Gjess – Street Art Jessheim

Jessheim enthusiast Tore Kværner had long suggested decorating the wall of the Gjensidige building, which stood gray and dull, in the middle of the main street.

Together with the owner of the building Pelle Skedsmo, Tore Kværner enlisted muralist Caspari to create a painting based on sketches by Egil Nyhus. After several rounds of different proposals, the final design was chosen in May 2022. Just a few weeks later, the finished artwork was officially unveiled during the 10th anniversary celebration of Jessheim as a town on June 10, 2022.

You can find it centrally located in Jessheim town center at Storgata 9.

Visit Greater Oslo 

Outdoor art at Hurdalsjøen Hotel & Spa

In addition to being a spa and conference hotel, Hurdalsjøen Hotell has in recent years also expanded with a separate sculpture park outside and more art projects around the hotel.

The artists who have contributed are NICO WIDERBERG, OLE MARTIN SKAUG, SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS, HENRIK GJERSTAD, PÅL GJERSTAD, J ØRLEIF UTHAUG and JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES

NICO WIDERBERG is educated in drawing, graphics and sculpture at the Norwegian School of Crafts and Design, and studied sculpture under Boge Berg at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts. Widerberg works with sculpture in stone (including granite and diabase), bronze and glass, with oil paintings and with graphics. Central to Widerberg's art are depersonalized human representations, heads and torso. The hotel has two sculptures by Nico Widerberg; "På Bølgen and Kransen" two figures in the garden.

SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS is a Norwegian painter and graphic artist. He participated in his first exhibition as a 15-year-old in connection with Nerdrumskolen's group exhibition at Blomqvist in Oslo. The hotel also has two works of art by this artist.

OLE MARTIN SKAUG is originally a photographer, educated at California State University in Los Angeles. In addition to studying photography, he also have training in a number of other art disciplines. This led to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Ceramics are today his main form of expression. Ole Martin works mainly in stoneware clay but also in other materials such as iron, lead and epoxy. He has had a number of exhibitions in Norway, Sweden. The hotel is so lucky to have several sculptures by Skaug, including the "Damvokteren" which can be found by the pond north of the hotel.

HENRIK GJERSTAD is a graduate of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and has studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. The New York-based artist has been apprenticed to two generations of artists, both his father Pål Gjerstad and his grandfather Ivar Gjerstad. In 2017, he has exhibited works at the Contempop Gallery in New York and at Juvenarte in Oslo.

PÅL GJERSTAD is director of Hurdalsjøen Hotell and has always been interested in art and has contributed to the sculpture park by spray-painting the hotel's old piano and by constructing a steel bench.

JØRLEIF UTHAUG was a pioneer for abstract sculpture in Norway and his experimentation with new techniques and materials led Uthaug to metal sculpture and reliefs in the 50's. He used materials such as glass, stone, wood, copper and brass. The hotel is so lucky that they have borrowed a relief and a sculpture of Uthaug Art Center by Jørleif's son Geir, who is also an artist.

JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES is a cartoonist and artist. He is the author of The Urban Legend. In 2016, Josef Yohannes made an Eidsvoll Edition with a dramatic story about scary forces that will "rob the Constitution" – both as an exhibition and as a comic book, and the hotel has borrowed the exhibition of Eidsvoll 1814. This can be seen along the forest path west of the hotel.

SVERRE BJERTNÆS is considered one of Norway's most important and central contemporary artists, and over the past ten years has made a name for himself on the international art scene. His earlier works are characterized by an attraction to dark tones and still life, portraits and model studies. "The collective human" new artwork with us and is made in bronze and is 260 high.

Welcome!

The Santa Claus Sign in Drøbak boat harbor

Drøbak is one of Norway's coziest Christmas towns and where the Norwegian Santa Claus has his official address!

And the whole Norwegian Christmas town must have a Santa sign! The Norwegian Road Administration received an application on 12 March 1991 from the technical agency in Frogn municipality for permission to put up a danger sign for Santa Claus.

This sign hangs in Osloveien when you drive down to Gamle Drøbak. Today there is also a more photogenic Santa sign in Drøbak boat harbour, right outside Drøbak Aquarium and Tourist Information.

Both are perfect photo subjects and very Instagram friendly!

Adding Color to Lives – Huset Kløfta

The street art project "Adding Color to Lives" was carried out in 2016 through a collaboration between Ullensaker Municipality and the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport hotel.

Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport had won an internal competition where the prize was a collaborative project between the renowned street artist Joel Bergner and local youth; art that would be visible to and benefit the entire local community.

The artwork can be seen at the youth center Huset in Kløfta.

The Kepler Star

 It is located close to the road where the European Route 16 meets European Route 6. In 1999, the artist Vebjørn Sand was asked to create a landmark in the planned industrial park at Gardermoen. Sand got the idea for the Kepler star and says this is a symbol and a vision that draws the threads back into cultural and spiritual history – and forward to technique and aesthetics. The star was first constructed by 16th-century by the astronom Johannes Kepler, as a further development from the Ikosa Seder, one of Plato's 5 geometric bodies consisting of 20 triangles.

A spetacular land mark close to the main airport in Norway – Oslo Airport.

Information from Visit Greater Oslo 

Outdoor art in Bærum

The sculpture parks in Bærum can be found at Henie Onstad, Sjøholmen, Bærums Verk and Fornebu

A stroll here is like a walk in an open cultural landscape, Several renowned artists such as Monet was inspired by the beautiful surroundings and the light. We have 4 beautiful sculpture parks that are available around the clock for a cultural experience.

The sculpture park at Høvikodden – Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

Nature provides a very special setting for experiencing art. At Høvikodden you will find 30 sculptures by Norwegian and internationally renowned artists on 140 acres of land. Welcome into the forest, out into the water and around the lawn. Here you will find a varied expression of sculptures from classic figures to abstract and avant-garde works of art that will rise your curiosity and inspire visitors. Several works also function as a bench. Most famous are Soluret by Arnold Haukeland, Filipstadbananen by Trygve Fredriksen and Tankesirkel by Per Inge Bjørlo.

The area is beautifully located within walking distance of Sandvika with the coastal path and beautiful hiking areas around the art center.

Jason Tyler underwater sculpture park by Sjøholmen

Just beyond Henie Onstad we find Sjøholmen art and culture house. In the autumn of 2017, twelve sculptures were sunk into the Oslo Fjord, to see how these will behave through the winter and cope with the ice. The sculptures are Jason Tyler's underwater sculpture project with casting of children from five to fourteen years of age from different nationalities, which are attached to the seabed to create a microclimate to improve the water quality in the sea.

Two of the sculptures can be seen on the bathing jetty while the rest are only experienced on the large posters in the park or by free diving in the sea. The sculptures are meant to give life back to the sea.

The sculpture park at Bærums Verk

In the beautiful outdoor area you will find the sculpture park. Among idyllic historic buildings along the river, you can freely view the 29 sculptures, designed by the country's foremost sculptors such as Aase Texmon Rygh – Møbius lying, Nico Widerberg – Two people and Skule Waksvik – Hanne is sunbathing.

Here you will find the best of renowned Norwegian sculptors from our time. It is over 400 years since Bærums Verk was established, and today the place is a great vibrant shopping center with unique shops and restaurants. Centuries of cultural history are linked to the products from the ironworks – countless kilns and cast iron products are brilliant examples of "sculptures" created at Bærums Verk.

Fornebu sculptures and installations

At Fornebu, the business community has invested millions in world-class outdoor art installations; on the commercial buildings of Telenor and Equinor, in the beach zone and the sculpture park "Imprints" by Magne Furuholmen consisting of giant ceramic sculptures and vases. These can be found in the courtyard at Aker's head office.

Norway's old main airport has become an art destination. Here is a great variety between beautiful figurative sculptures, via abstract works to digital installations attached to the buildings – meant to rise curiosity, set the mind in motion and excite visitors.

Use the Sunday excursion for a short art tour. Explore the area as a bicycle safari or on foot and discover selected works of art at Fornebu in combination with other experiences in the vicinity such as bathing and restaurants.

Enjoy

Member of Visit Greater Oslo 

Oscarsborg Fortress

Oscarsborg Fortress is a jewel in the Drøbak narrow. In summer, Oscarsborg is perfect for families and for those interested in nature, culture and history. Oscarsborg Fortress Museum presents the history of the place and organises guided tours. There are plenty of activities for children. A safari through the subterranean tunnels below the fortress, obstacle courses, bathing beaches and crab fishing.

The unique surroundings of the fortress provide a fantastic arena for the theatre, opera and concerts which are organised during the summer season. At Oscarsborg you will find an art gallery, exhibitions, hotel and a good selection of places to eat. In summer you can travel by ferry from Drøbak and Oslo, or arrive with your own boat to Oscarsborg Marina.

History

Akershus Fortress had been the defender of the capital Oslo/Christiania for hundred of years. In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of unrest in Europe and it became important to have a fortification further out from the capital. The Drøbak Sound was identified as a strategic position for defence. In 1640 King Christian IV in Copenhagen ordered a blockhouse to be built on the Southern Kaholmen, which was finished in 1643.

The state bought the two Kaholmen Islands in 1845. The planning began immediately and the construction works started in 1846. After the visit of King Oscar in 1855 the fortress was given the name Oscarsborg. However, already in the 1860’s the fortress was out of date, developments in artillery had been rapid and the technical revolution had created a transformation in the way warfare was conducted.

Originally the fortress Oscarsborg was created to resist attack from sea and not over land. To withstand attacks over land the fortress was extended from 1890. New gun batteries were placed on Kaholmen, Håøya and on both sides of the fjord. An underwater stone wall (jeté), minefield, torpedo battery and entrenchments was also built.

When the negotiations with Sweden took place in 1905, the Oscarsborg fortress was regarded as the strongest fortress in northern Europe, with a defensive line that stretched 10 km from the Heer Entrenchment in the east to the top of Håøya in the west.

On the 9th of April 1940 Oscarsborg Fortress endured its first real trial. The fortress delayed the German attack by sinking the heavy cruiser “Blücher”; the newest cruiser of Germany. This slowed the attack, which gave the King, Government and Parliament sufficient time to evacuate Oslo and later on take up the fight against the occupation of Norway.

After the Second World War the strategic importance of Oscarsborg reduced and the last fortification was ended on the 1st of January 1993 and in 2002 the fortress became finally abolished.

In 2004 the Parliament decided to create The National Fortifications Heritage(“Nasjonale festningsverk”) which has the responsibility for the maintenance of 14 historical fortresses, among them Oscarsborg Fortress.

Cultural arena

Oscarsborg is a unique cultural arena for opera and concerts throughout the summer season. This year has an exciting programme with an acoustic pop/rock festival, wandering theatre troupes and fantastic opera experiences in the courtyard throughout August – just to mention a few. Oscarsborg has an art gallery run by Avistegnerne in Drøbak. “Forsvarets Hus” (“Military House”) in Kommandantboligen shows how the Norwegian military is today.

Getting here

The island can be reached by boat from Drøbak all year and there are buses from Oslo to Drøbak with regular departures. During spring and summer months you may take the ferry B21/B22 from Oslo, Aker Brygge to Oscarsborg and Drøbak. Ferry scedules

 

Member of Visit Greater Oslo