2_Q9_ScanMag_78_July_2015_Text_JOE _Scan Magazine 1 07/07/2015 15:46 Page 43
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Norway
than its form. Those who are engaged with or are perhaps little bit curious about the culture, look to Nuart as a leader in the sense that we’re always looking to establish the purpose and reason for doing what we do.” The festival hosts an annual symposium known as Nuart Plus, providing a platform for industry figures and academics to explore this subject matter. “With other art forms there are usually several conferences and retreats around the world for like-minded people to come together, but that didn’t really exist for our culture, because it’s still so young,” says Reed. “Nuart Plus has filled that gap, serving as a place where we can really explore our own traditions of unsanctioned writing on walls.” Opening doors for the next generation With the support of the local council, Nuart has developed an educational programme,designed to open the minds of young people to the possibilities of street art and ensure the culture’s sustainability. Groups of school children are invited to come on day trips to the festival where they can take part in workshops and go on guided tours of the art. Street artists will
visit 92 schools in the region, some even in remote fjord villages, and teach the children how to make their own work using stencils and paste-ups. “One of the most underrated aspects of the festival is how massively it influences young people and inspires them to get engaged themselves,” enthuses Reed. In addition to this year’s festival, Nuart will also be initiating a number of satellite projects. As part of one such project, known as The Wall, a huge billboard will be erected and curated by Nuart with the aim of encouraging contemporary artists to get involved in street art. Canadian artist Sandra Chevrier will be the first to present her work. Nuart will also be attempting a world first with French artists Ella & Pitr who, alongside partners Block Berge Bygge, are set to create the largest ever rooftop mural, a work that will cover 20,000m2.
Nuart and their various media partners will document everything and keep you updated through their website and social media. For more information, please visit: www.nuartfestival.no
Nuart Plus: 3-5 September Nuart Outdoor: 3-6 September Nuart Exhibition: Opening 5 September at 19:00 and running until 11 October.
Scandic Stavanger City will serve as the festival hotel, hosting a conference on 35 September to kick off the festival weekend and accommodating international artists and overseas volunteers. If you can’t make it in person, you can download the Nuart app to follow all the activities.
Issue 78 | July 2015 | 43