HOUSE OF NORWAY

The exhibition HOUSE OF NORWAY brings together and mixes works of art, design, craftsmanship and architecture in order to create special constellations that surprise and propose a new way of seeing.

It can be read like a journey of a special kind: with first-time and recurring encounters, moments of astonishment and contemplation. With new discoveries where what has already been seen seems familiar. A journey through a country characterised by different landscapes, climates and population densities. Accordingly, it is not only the realities of people’s lives in the respective places that differ, but also the inspirations for their artistic and creative work.

The open thematic presentation unites works by contemporary artists such as Frank Ekeberg, Kari Steihaug, and Ingrid Torvund with never-before-exhibited lyrical text drawings by the world-famous artist Edvard Munch. A guest performance by the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš (SNTB) provides an insight into the art and culture of the Indigenous Sámi people. In addition, works by the Sámi artists Britta Marakatt-Labba, Máret Ánne Sara and Hans Ragnar Mathisen as well as those by artisans such as Sune Enoksson and Jørn Are Keskitalo, will be presented.

Exclusive glass vases by Willy Johansson can be found alongside functional vessels and unique glass works by Kari Mølstad. Regine Juhls’ silver jewellery, inspired by mosses and lichens, contrasts with jewellery by Grete Prytz Kittelsen and Tone Vigeland. Elisabeth Thorsen’s experimental shoe fashion bears creative affinities to the expressive necklaces of Liv Blåvarp and the visually compelling graphic print creations of London-based fashion designer Edda Gimnes. The exhibition also features such unconventional Norwegian designers as Torbjørn Afdal and Peter Opsvik. Sverre Fehn and the Sámi architect and artist Joar Nango show completely opposite views of architecture.

In addition to other artistic and creative positions, the exhibition presents short films from Norway. With their themes, they make imaginable the individual reflections of the artists and designers in their relationship to the objective social, ecological and economic conditions that might have accompanied the creation of their works.

The exhibition includes works by:
Torbjørn Afdal, Heidi Bjørgan, Liv Blåvarp, Inger Blix Kvammen, Hans Brattrud, Birger Dahl, FFB (Joar Nango, Eystein Talleraas, Håvard Arnhoff), Frank Ekeberg, Marit Eken Kalager, Andreas Engesvik, Sune Enoksson, Nikolaus Fankki, Sverre Fehn, Svein Flygari Johansen, Edda Gimnes, Sidsel Hanum, Per Heimly, Kjersti Johannessen, Willy Johansson, Regine Juhls, Jørn Are Keskitalo, Torbjørn Kvasbø, Petteri Laiti, Matt Lambert, Håvard Larsen, Jonas Mailand, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Kari Mølstad, Edvard Munch, Peter Opsvik, Synnøve Persen, Grete Prytz Kittelsen, Hans Ragnar Mathisen (KEVISELIE), Johan Rist, Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš (SNTB), Guri Sandvik, Máret Ánne Sara, Ken Schluchtmann (Peter Zumthor, Louise Bourgeois), Martin Solem, Kari Steihaug, Elisabeth Thorsen, Ingrid Torvund, Manuel Vadillo Benitez, Paolo Venini, Tone Vigeland und Jan Eric Wold Skevik.

Johan Turi
Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš
German Premiere: Saturday, October 12, 7pm
24 performances between October 12 and November 9, 7 or 9pm
In Northern Sámi, with English and German titles.
Click here for all performance dates and tickets

Idea and Concept: Matthias Wagner K, Sabine Schirdewahn

Director Museum Angewandte Kunst and Curator: Matthias Wagner K

Press contact: Annie Buenker, T +49 69 212 75339 / presse.angewandte-kunst [​at​] stadt-frankfurt.de

The exhibition is part of The Dream We Carry – Norway as Guest of Honour of the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair. It is made possible by NORLA Norwegian Literature Abroad, supported by Visit Norway, and the furniture manufacturer Vestre. It was developed in cooperation with the Munchmuseet (Oslo), the Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum (Tromsø), Norwegian Crafts, the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš (Kautokeino), the Sámi University College (Kautokeino), the Sámi Center for Contemporary Art (Karasjok), the Riddo Duottar Museat (Karasjok), the Kunstnerforbundet (Oslo), the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum (Trondheim) and many further institutions.