ART ON THE EDGE

Looking at art is an aesthetic experience that can excite, but also challenge thoughts, and attitudes and reflect people and society. In our region, you can view spectacular art outdoors. Maybe it is the art that is watching you?

Cerebellum in Langgata in Sandnes consists of seven sculptures made by Christian Sunde where the theme of the artistic expression is mankind. The sculptures reflect a form of reference in ourselves, with an emphasis on contradictions and differences in us, whether we are big or small, lonely or social, in dialogue with each other, happy or sad, curious or withdrawn, determined or insecure.

Broken Column is a sculpture project by Antony Gormley, consisting of 23 figures placed between the Stavanger Art Museum and the harbour. The figures in sandblasted iron are based on a casting of the sculptor’s own body, with a height of 195 cm.

Some works of art were created to commemorate special circumstances, such as Brutt Lenke – a memorial to commemorate the deceased after the Alexander Kielland accident in 1980, the largest casualty in Norwegian oil history with 123 fatalities. The monument is at Måkeberget in Kvernevik.

Better known is the monument Sverd i fjell –Swords in rock, made by Bryne artist Fritz Røed to commemorate the battle of the Hafrsfjord, where Harald Fairhair united Norway into one kingdom in 872. A popular photo stop with both a beach and an ice cream parlour during summer. In Bryne, Fritz Røed (1928–2002) designed a park, where 10 of his sculptures are located.

Thanks to NuArt, who has been organising a street art festival in Stavanger for many years, the city and its surroundings are the unrivalled street art destination in Norway. In both rural and urban areas, you will find works by wellknown street artists with artworks from situationism, graffiti, muralism, cartoon culture, stencil art and activism. Even several Kolumbus buses in the region drive around decorated with street art. Guidecompaniet offers guided Street Art tours in both Stavanger and Sandnes.

Did you know that Pøbel is the pseudonym of an anonymous artist from Jæren?

He became famous when he took street art into rural areas and nature by decorating abandoned buildings in Lofoten, sparking a debate about the meaning of street art.

At Bryne, you will find both his world­famous corona work “The Lovers” and a tribute to the local hero, football player Erling Braut Haaland.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN EVEN STAY THE NIGHT AT A STREET ART HOTEL?

Smarthotel Forus is located right next to the shopping centre Kvadrat in Sandnes.

Smarthotel Forus © Ane Cathrine Buck

As an official partner of Google Arts & Culture, Nuart has created a universe where you can see the art online and learn more about it even before you arrive in the Stavanger region. Google Arts & Culture can be downloaded as a separate app. Several stories and presentations can be found here on Nuart’s Google Arts & Culture page.