Localfolk Bergen by Localfolk

BERGEN / BAREKSTEN / KIND / NUEN / VERA & KYTE

Localfolk

ISSUE 02

Localfolk BERGEN EDITION

The Coucou Club / Mühle

Kure Bazaar / Frederic Malle / RMS Beauty / Mar vis / Escentric Molecule /

Byredo / Diptyque / Tata Harper / Rahua / Sturm / Själ / Mason Pearson / Bamford /

Vå g s a l l m e n n i n g e n 8 Bergen

a p o t h e c a r y. n o

ISSUE 02 February 2021

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Mette Tønnessen mette@localfolknorway.com

Editorial Concept Design Mette Tønnessen Words Allison Helene Schmidt, Maria Vole, Silje Langerud, Kai Isaksen, Julia Elizabeth Yager, Sally Fox, Matias Ludvig Littauer

Subscribe Visit our website at www.localfolknorway.com to subscribe to our magazine, and recieve every issue in your email.

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Images Dag Randen, KIND, Bent René Synnevåg, Studio Dreyer Hensley, Ragnar Ómarsson, Chris Opander Tonnesen, Mari Staveland, Line Møllerhaug, Silje Chantel Johnsen, Bang & Olufsen, Andreas Emanuel Söderlund, Jan M. Lillebø, Francisco Munoz, Saunders Architecture, Amateur Stories, Helle Frogner, Isak Okkenhaug, Norlender, Tine Marie Traaholt, Simen Langeland, Arne Beck, Håkon Børs-Lind, Hege Corneliussen, Sigrid Rostad, Torstein Nordstrand, Gurdish Haugsdal, Katrin Berge, Cure AS, Fana Kjøtt, Helge Hansen, Hans Jørgen Brun, Eirik Bjørnerud, Ruben Soltvedt, Hanne Ø. Trettsveen, Stian van der Meeren, Thea Brønlund Cover Babord by KIND

Localfolk Magazine - a Localfolk Norway Publication A big thank you to all the contributors and everyone else who supports Localfolk Norway. We provide highquality content marketing/advertorials to promote the best Norway has to offer of design, architecture and innovation.

www.localfolknorway.com post@localfolknorway.com instagram.com/localfolknorway facebook.com/localfolknorway

This is our story We know every product has a story behind it, so here’s ours. I’m Mette, founder of Localfolk Norway. My mother is a talented ceramicist. Her gorgeous creations have always been hugely popular at the local Christmas markets. But the rest of the year, she struggled to find those appreciative customers. As an artistic soul, her passion for ceramics doesn’t extend to sitting at a computer marketing her work. I offered to help. Then, I realised my mother wasn’t the only one. Most creatives are devoted to their craft but feel daunted by promoting themselves or their work, not knowing where or even how to begin. Therefore, we created Localfolk Norway to give a voice to artisans in Norway and at the same time create a space where it's easy for supporters of authentic, Norwegian made products to find items that inspire them. Our goal is to showcase independent artisans and wellknown brands/design from Norway, equally. To enrich our online catalogue and support our community, we decided to publish this bi-monthly design magazine. Localfolk’s mission is to become the leading premier design magazine of Norway, writing about local artisans, architects, designers and entrepreneurs, and hopefully introduce you to creatives you would never otherwise hear about. Allow me to welcome you to the second edition of Localfolk, featuring Bergen through the eyes of its very own creative community! Mette Tønnessen Editor and founder @metteishere

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Contents

Localfolk Norway

KIND

Vera & Kyte

Laurie Poast

Amateur Stories

54 The Apothecary

92 BRGN

104 128 158 Tine Traaholt

Paal J Kahrs Arkitekter AS

Sigrid Rostad Glass

182 190 202 Fana Kjøtt

Bareksten

Bare Restaurant

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Welcome to Bergen

Image / Tomas Anunziata from Pexels Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

Bergen is a city with many names, from ‘the green meadow among the mountains’ to ‘the heart of the fjords’ to ‘the city of seven mountains’. It became a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1979, received the title of European City of Culture in 2000, and was designated as a City of Gastronomy through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in 2015. Founded by King Olav Kyrre in the year 1070, this historic west coast city is known today for its Hanseatic wharf, impressive museum collections, lively Fish Market, cobblestone alleys, and small-town charm - but there’s more to Bergen than meets the eye. Localfolk Magazine

s Norway’s second-largest city with nearly 300,000 inhabitants, Bergen is home to a number of independent makers and local businesses. This ever-growing community is made up of artists and woodworkers, fashion brands and designers, local food and drink producers, entrepreneurs and innovators, Michelin restaurants and more of the sort. In fact, Bergen is such an important cultural hub that it’s recognized as the unofficial capital of Western Norway. With so many creative souls in one place, Bergen lends itself to artistic collaboration and breakthrough opportunities, which makes it an attractive city for emerging artists who are trying to find their footing in the industry.

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Bryggen is a primary example of artistic collaboration in Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s popular among locals and tourists alike. This old wharf was rebuilt on 12th century foundations after the Great Fire of 1702, and is a vital part of the city's cultural heritage today. Behind the colourful wooden buildings lies an extensive network of passages, which is home to art studios, local shops, independent galleries, and small businesses. This is a place where artists and designers can showcase their works, such as knitwear and jewelry, graphic art and paintings, photographs and illustrations, as well as books and textile designs.

Members of the Bergen creative community agree that much of their inspiration is found within the nature that surrounds the city centre, namely the mountains and the fjords. Ulriken is the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains and offers a unique view of the coastal city from above, while Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord are two of the country’s most famous fjords. Other sources of creative inspiration include artsy cafés, trendy neighbourhoods, street art, and architectural design. Because one’s environment can stimulate both creativity and innovation, it’s no surprise that artists and designers choose to live and work in Bergen.

Image / Avonne Stalling from Pexels

History and tradition are equally important to Bergen’s creative industry as contemporary art and design. Over two dozen museums across the city house Norwegian and international art, including paintings by Hans Gude and Adolph Tidemand, drawings and sculptures by Picasso, and some of the largest collections of Edvard Munch. Today, independent makers and local businesses mainly showcase their works at exhibitions and events around the city, as well as online. So with that, allow me to welcome you to the second edition of Localfolk, featuring Bergen through the eyes of its very own creative community!

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ART DESIGN ARCHITECTURE from Bergen

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NUEN Doing the Groundwork: Furniture Makers Sticking with Their Roots for The Environment

Images / Dag Randen Styling / Cathrine Bækken Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

Nuen: Nature Refined. A small-scale collection of artisanal furniture locally made from Norwegian timber and wool, these stunning and ethically made pieces have a lot to boast about.

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uen’s website demonstrates the company’s dedication to transparency, and Kristian Notland Harnes was equally transparent while speaking with Localfolk. “We didn’t have any experience with furniture,” Kristian confessed at the very beginning of the interview. He and another one of Nuen’s co-founders had other interests they were keen on pursuing at first, and one of those was music. Their record label, Koke Plate, was their first endeavour. Koke Plate came to be in 2008. All is still going well with the record label, but Kristian felt there was something vital missing in his life. “I needed to do something that could make a change, and I had the idea of producing something that had a positive effect on nature. I needed to do something more grounded.” In 2018, Kristian and his wife moved from Oslo to Huglo, an island of roughly thirteen square kilometres with a population of less than one hundred inhabitants. The couple benefitted from the island’s long history of furniture production and Nuen was able to launch their first collection in 2019. It consisted of only three expertly handcrafted designs. They have since expanded their collection to five pieces: a day bed, a junior bed, a lounge chair, a full-length mirror and a versatile table/stool. “When we launched our first collection, it was kind of a study on local infrastructure.” Kristian admits he had been naïve to start, but that’s certainly no longer the case.

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He’s currently conducting studies with two local universities in Norway on how to make use of timber in a way that has less impact on the environment. “We want to take a step further.” Albeit inexperienced in the beginning, Kristian was never idle or misinformed. Their methods don’t contaminate the earth or exploit the people involved. Since everything is locally sourced, there isn’t any hefty transportation involved that would contribute to environmental harm. They use Norwegian timber and Norwegian wool – a blend from an old European sheep breed. “Most of the wool in Norway travels to England to be washed. Our wool doesn’t travel.” They work with two types of sheep, and one lives entirely outdoors. “They are used to living in the cold, used to living in harsh climates. They’re constantly roaming outside, ethically.” In fact, the company’s entire production line and sources are so few in number that they are able to name all of their employees and list all of their materials on their website. Anne provides the timber, which is bent by Njål. The wool is woven by Viktor, who gives it to Marie, who does the sewing. That’s it.

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“Most of the wool in Norway travels to England to be washed. Our wool doesn’t travel.”

Right Image / Vandrefilm Borghild Nerheim

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For such a new and modest company, it’s heartening to hear that the pandemic hasn’t threatened their success. “It’s hard to be in the market at all. There are always challenges to do it efficiently,” Kristian said, noting there always have been and always will be obstacles for small, local businesses. Yet their website urges those browsing not to make any unnecessary purchases! Do not buy if you don’t need it. Click here if you need is the biggest and boldest message displayed on their website, a message most businesses would shy away from if they were trying to make sales – especially in 2021. “It’s a passion project that started with a lot of ambition.” Kristian has future ambitions, but his aspirations are rooted in the preservation of the land’s integrity, as well as Nuen’s. “Our ambition now is to have more volume, but the question is how to harvest the timber in a way that won’t disrupt biodiversity.” Nuen’s co-founders are as adamant on protecting what they love as they are in pursuing their passions. nuen.no Instagram / @nuen.no

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KIND More than KIND: Smart Branding with Emotional Intelligence When Tom Emil Olsen founded KIND in 2013, he had the intention of being the best in the branding industry. Now, less than a decade later, KIND is conquering the industry – but by winning hearts instead of just sales. Images /KIND Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

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“S

uccessful brands appeal to the heart as much as they do to the intellect.” The owner, CEO and Creative Director Tom Emil Olsen spoke with Localfolk about KINDS’s philosophy on emotional branding. Before 2013, Tom had been in the business for a while. He had studied marketing at first, but at the time, it didn’t interest him as much as designing did. “Marketing is more theoretical and designing is more creative.” Initially, after studying design, he admits he just wanted to create things that looked nice. “But once I started creating and was doing well, I saw what was benefiting the client.” Tom soon found that his background in marketing was assisting his success in design. “Nowadays, everything is digital and run by algorithms – and it’s not real,” he said. “We know people make decisions with their emotions, not rationale. I saw how storytelling could affect decisionmaking. It changed my whole perception of branding. I had to find out for myself. You need to see it for yourself before you start believing in it.”

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Instead of just examining a product in order to advertise it, KIND explores the people behind the product. “What is their personality? What do they want to be remembered for? We ask ourselves what are the values of our clients, and what are the values of their clients.” Using that same logic, Tom has brilliant, like-minded people working for KIND. “You want to hire people who have the same values, just like people find the brand that fits them.” KIND’s teams of experts are already across the globe. Shortly after the head office was established in Bergen, Norway, KIND expanded by branching out to Oslo, Aberdeen and Shanghai – meaning you’re guaranteed to recognise some of their work. “It takes time to build reputation, but throughout the world, people are finding us.” If you don’t recognise their work with Bareksten Spirits (which has won awards for both its taste and product design) or Ørjan Johannessen’s seaweed company, Flyt (which could very well be the mostawarded seafood brand both nationally and globally), perhaps you’ve heard the story of the world’s fastest Paralympics athlete, Salum Ageze Kashafali.

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In June 2019, Salum set a new world record for one hundred metres in Oslo. A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Salum started losing his vision after he had arrived Norway. Tom met Salum during a photoshoot and asked him if he had any sponsors. Salum was in disbelief of Tom’s interest and generous offer. Even when Tom called Salum and followed up a week later, the athlete still believed Tom’s offer was too good to be true. Tom had been personally moved by Salum’s story and had decided almost immediately upon their meeting to become his principle sponsor. It had happened organically, all because of the emotion behind Salum’s story. “I just felt a connection,” and that was all Tom needed. (Although it took some time to convince Salum that Tom wasn’t joking.) As exemplified with the story of Salum, it appears as though KIND’s philosophy on emotional branding is more of a lifestyle choice or a matter of emotional intelligence rather than a philosophy. “We’re really into long-term relationships and working with people from all over the world.” And he means that: Tom has been in the business for twenty-two years, and Norway’s

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leading manufacturer of guttering systems has been a client of his for every step of the way. “If you can get emotional about gutter systems, you can get emotional about anything!”

know the work you’re doing is working for your clients.” The name KIND isn’t just a nod to the shared values or likeliness a group of people may share. The meaning of the name is twofold and also signifies the empathy and thoughtfulness with which the company executes its goals. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; this is how KIND creates its unique branding. KIND wants people to feel moved by the messages they create, making them so much more than a branding agency.

The international, multi-award winning agency has won too many titles and trophies to list here. Two of their most notable awards might be two of their most recent wins. KIND won Europe’s Best Agency by the European Design Awards 2019/20 and was named the 2020/21 Global Agency of the Year by The World Brand Design Society. “It’s affirmation that what you’re doing is what you wanted,” was kindnorway.com Tom’s humble reply. “And it’s how you Instagram / @kindworldwide 34

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Vera & Kyte Bergen’s Design Duo

Image / Bent René Synnevåg Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

Vera Kleppe and Åshild Kyte had not met each other before attending design school. After five years of studying together, the two didn’t bother applying to any companies. They knew exactly what they wanted to.

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orway’s National Museum for art held a chair design competition in 2018. The judge, Jasper Morrison, was in charge of selecting a winner among the multiple Norwegian designers who were given the task of designing a chair for the National Museum in Oslo, which will open in 2022. After only five years of Vera & Kyte, their contribution won second place. That same year, Bo Bedre Design Awards nominated their Apex candlesnuffer for Accessory of the Year. “It’s inspiring to us. Getting nominations and awards along the way is very motivating.” Vera and Åshild met during practical admissions tests

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in Bergen. They studied together in small classes from 2007-2012, and Vera & Kyte came to be in 2013. “We knew we wanted to work together,” Åshild told Localfolk. During their bachelor and master degrees, she and Vera had become friends and were doing a lot of different projects on the side. “We were not doubtful, but willing to take some risks jumping into it,” she says of Vera & Kyte’s conception and origins. Building on Scandinavian traditions, the two make timeless pieces but with a modern flair. “We push those boundaries. It’s important for us and for our products. That’s the nature of the two of us.” When asked about

their design process, Åshild expressed their principles rather than their methods. “We didn't want to hold on to any specific materials, such as wood. We brought in more materials – steel, stone, textiles - to mention a few”. She says an underlying theme is that their creations feel “immediate and longlasting” and that these items need to be durable but with character. From interior architecture to furniture and household items, such as mats and brooms, Vera and Åshild never limit themselves with what they make, which materials they choose, or who they work with. “We like to get to know different materials, which leads to Image / Studio Dreyer Hensley

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meeting different people and different fields,” which is something they believe to be a strength of theirs. The designers have their design studio in Bergen but not their own store since their work varies greatly and their products can be purchased in a variety of stores and online. Their collaborations are both national and international and with a client base reaching from Taiwan to New York, via Florence. In 2016 they were paired with Ladies & Gentlemen Studio and created the Krane lamp. “It would have been nice to meet them,” Åshild reflected, revealing everything had been done

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without any physical interaction. The two studios had developed the lamp through online and digital correspondence. This was through Norway x New York, a project that facilitates the pairing of five American studios with five Norwegian studios, and their successful collaboration is still for sale. “We only met a day or two before New York Design Week and the opening of the exhibition.” Much like that endeavour, all of their projects are longterm. “Nothing is done in a few months.” But the process always provides the two with new ideas for creating – something the pair clearly thrives on.

Images / Ragnar Ómarsson

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Images / Bent René Synnevåg Jewelry collection 'Balance'

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Their jewellery collection was an idea born from the client requests. “We are lucky that our clients tell us what they want.” Here was an idea that gave Vera and Åshild a completely new product line. “We feel honoured,” Åshild said of the eleven pieces they made, which are for sale on Arven’s website. “It’s a privilege that people want to wear something of ours and have the look of Vera & Kyte.” They’ve participated in numerous exhibitions, which have lead to global recognition and further collaborations. They are constantly travelling to Stockholm, London and Milan. “Product launches all over the world keep us updated and networking.” Vera and Åshild love these opportunities since they always lead to new experiences. The duo never know where these new experiences will take them, but they have “no plans of quitting” when asked what the future might hold. vera-kyte.com Instagram / @vera.kyte

Images / Chris Opander Tonnesen

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Glimt Interior Architects Designing An Experience

Images / Mari Staveland Words / Maria Vole

Since starting GLIMT 4 years ago, interior architects Camilla Aanensen and Ailin Stensen have gone from strength to strength. With a long list of satisfied customers, GLIMT has built a great reputation for their wellthought out designs and devotion to the client journey. Localfolk Magazine

“We love to experience places, and with a well-designed space, you can experience a journey within a building.”

“

We focus on projects that we’re passionate about and that bring us joy. We’re very enthusiastic about working with our clients, and love to create spaces and environments that work for our customers’ needs,” Camilla says. A lot of thought goes into the designing of a space, and a large part of Camilla and Ailin’s work revolves around creating an atmosphere or inspiring certain experiences within different spaces. “One thing that’s important to us is to foster a sense of wellbeing when someone walks into a room. We want to inspire emotions in different rooms – in some spaces, we want to create energy,

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in some we want to foster a sense of calm, and in some rooms we want to encourage innovation and creativity,” Ailin says. “We spend a lot of time thinking about how we can create these different senses in terms of materials, colour choices, lighting, textures. This is something that you might not think about as an end user, but we spend a lot of time creating these effects. Ultimately, we want to create a good experience with our spaces.“ An important part of the team’s job is to take the time to understand who the client is and what their needs are, so that they can create a space and an environment that will suit that specific client.

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“We spend a lot of time getting to know the clients and gaining an understanding of what their needs are. We always keep the end user who will be using the space in mind, whether that’s office workers or restaurant guests. Often, the customer is a business, so we also want to communicate their identity and what they stand for in the space we create,” Camilla says.

people will be working in the future. There are new ways of working, and we want to make sure that we challenge ourselves, reconsider established ideas, think innovatively and find smart, new solutions,” Ailin says.

Innovative thinking is important to GLIMT. They’re interested in utilizing modern solutions and rethinking traditional notions of what an office space should look like, making spaces that fit the contemporary world.

The award-winning company is dedicated to creating inspiring, meaningful spaces that tell a story.

“In terms of our design, aside from considering what colours we want on the walls and what furniture we should choose, we also focus on creating spaces that work and that serve a purpose. At the moment, we’re working on an office landscape, and we’ve been thinking a lot about how people are working in 2021, and how 50

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The interior architects in GLIMT are passionate about their work, and take a lot of pride in what they do.

“Ours is a creative profession, and creating a space and a feel is an artistic process,” Camilla says. “We love to experience places, and with a well-designed space, you can experience a journey within a building.” “We’re driven to create - creating something from nothing, ie. creating a beautiful, functional space from an empty space is very inspiring.

Image / Camilla Aanensen and Ailin Stensen Photographer / Line Møllerhaug

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Each space should have its own identity. We want the client to have an incredible experience when they walk into the new space we’ve designed for them,” Ailin says. “We want to make sure we’re focused on sustainability both as a company and in the services we offer our clients. We want to use materials that add something extra, and that offers long-term value both in terms of project budgeting and the environment. Our team is also very aware of the different technological opportunities that are emerging, and we want to make sure we’re staying up to date in terms 52

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of the different solutions that can be helpful to our clients,” Camilla says. “We want to be a design studio that people contact if they want long-term high quality. Our goal is always to design for the future, both in terms of new technical solutions and in terms of the interplay between people – making it possible for people to connect and collaborate well,” Ailin says. glimtinterior.no Instagram / @glimt_interior_arkitekter

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The Apothecary Last year, a new lifestyle shop selling exclusive perfume, skincare and a few other hand-picked items opened in the heart of Bergen. The Apothecary offers a carefully curated selection of highquality products within a beautiful and inspiring space. Image / Silje Chantel Johnsen Words / Maria Vole

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irgitte Friele Stang is the owner of The Apothecary. She has spent a lot of time and effort devising the concept behind the new lifestyle shop and bringing the idea to life. “We opened our doors in October of last year, and have been received very well by the people of Bergen, who seem to appreciate this new addition in the city center,” Birgitte says. At the center of The Apothecary’s philosophy is the idea that scent is integral to the connection between human beings. “The Apothecary is primarily a niche perfumery, with the addition of carefully

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selected, exclusive and well-made base textiles and shoes. The product package is uncompromisingly composed to gather our absolute favorites of fragrance and wellness brands that were not previously available in Bergen in one place,” Birgitte says. Birgitte was inspired to create a great concept for sourcing high-quality perfumes, skincare and other items in her hometown of Bergen. Though the shop is focused on bringing exclusive pieces to locals in Bergen, the brand has international sensibilities. Birgitte spent two years abroad in France and London as part of

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her studies, and sourcing the best products from around the world is a key focus for The Apothecary. “At The Apothecary, customers will find highquality products with a focus on pure, ecofriendly brands such as Tata Harper, RMS and Rahua mixed with traditional fragrance houses such as Diptyque and Byredo. Those interested in skin care will find our shelves stocked with smaller, innovative brands such as Själ and Dr. Barbara Sturm. We’d rather offer a few excellent brands and products that we believe in, rather than having an abundant selection of different brands. Our shop will never be overcrowded with products – rather, our customers will find a carefully hand-picked assortment of durable and timeless goods,” Birgitte says. Design and aesthetics are very important for Birgitte, and this played a big part in the creation of The Apothecary’s physical space. “I’ve always had an inner drive to create something of my own related to the creative and the aesthetic. With The Apothecary, I wanted to create a holistic building where the aesthetics, furniture, art and the store itself and its contents are connected in a visual form with a common thread running through it,” Birgitte says. The Apothecary is focused on providing a small amount of great quality items that are sourced

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“We experience the aesthetic as an essential element in what we want to convey with The Apothecary”

from socially responsible brands and create an experience in the life of the user. “We experience the aesthetic as an essential element in what we want to convey with The Apothecary – it’s not about expensive clothes or beauty products in itself, but about an attentive and mindful lifestyle where details, durability and quality enrich everyday life. We also want to make it possible to shop well-made products with a clear conscience,” Birgitte says. The team behind The Apothecary take a lot of time to select the specific brands they choose to carry in the shop. “We have a lot of interest and curiosity about well-made fragrances, skin care and lifestyle products. Through travel, we’ve gained a lot of inspiration from the fashion houses and how they consciously build attitudes and aesthetics connected to their brands. We have a great, close collaboration with our suppliers regarding how the brands will be presented, and we can’t wait to introduce more exciting brands soon,” Birgitte says. apothecary.no Instagram / @apothecary.bergen

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Bang & Olufsen Bergen The Bergen branch of Bang & Olufsen is a small, family-run business. Steffen Hovden Undstad is the owner of the company, and his fiancée Kristine handles the administrative side of things, as well as being responsible for visual merchandising within the store. The soon-to-be husband and wife team also have two dedicated employees. Images / Bang & Olufsen Words / Maria Vole

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“W

e’re proud to be a retailer for Bang & Olufsen who provides a range of award-winning products within both technology and design. That makes it extra easy to be proud of our products, and our philosophy as well,” Kristine says. Bang & Olufsen has developed high-quality products for almost 100 years, and the Bergen branch has been part of this history. “For 95 years, Bang & Olufsen has built products that stand for the principles of iconic, classic and timeless design in both craftsmanship and technology. This is what defined us when we started, and this is what drives us towards the future,” Kristine says. “We believe that Bang & Olufsen is an experience and a lifestyle, not just a product. That’s why we always listen to the customer's wishes and needs, so that a customised solution can be created that’s tailor-made for that specific customer.” Kristine, Steffen and the rest of the team are proud to be heading up the Bergen branch of the beloved brand. “Locals here in Bergen have a great eye for quality, craftsmanship and design, and they naturally therefore love Bang & Olufsen, which is great to see,” Kristine says. “To us, it’s important that things should last, create memories and perhaps be passed down from generation to generation. For that reason, following up with our customers is a very important part of our daily lives. We always want to make sure that the customers are satisfied and that everything is in order.” The team at Bang & Olufsen Bergen are proud to offer complete packages that are tailored to their customers’ needs. “As a retailer of a high-end brand, it is important to us to be able to offer the entire package beyond the Bang & Olufsen products.

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Top image / Steffen Undstad, owner of Bang & Olufsen Bergen

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A lot of people would like a complete, exclusive smart home or a high-quality network; so we have certified installers who create layouts that work seamlessly and integrate perfectly, using nothing but the best materials,” Kristine says. “We sometimes help customers who are moving, or our technician will fix up an old record player before it’s passed down to children or grandchildren. Bang & Olufsen is a proud brand with a soul, and this is rare in the electronics world today.”

our shop windows. We’re also in good company at Tårnplass, with great neighbouring niche shops with a true passion for what they do,” Kristine says. The small team at Bang & Olufsen Bergen are focused on providing a great shopping experience for every person that walks through their doors.

“Everyone is welcome to browse our store and test the products. We’re happy to run demos and share our knowledge, and we’re always ready to have a chat The shop is located at Tårnplass, over a cup of coffee. One thing is certain – visiting our store right in the heart of the city. and showroom should always “The store has been in the same be a relaxing and inspiring place for over 20 years, and we experience,” Kristine says. never want to move! For us, it’s the perfect location – in the stores.bang-olufsen.com/no heart of Bergen city center, with Instagram / @bangolufsenbergen a lovely view of Tinghuset from

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Laurie Poast Atelier

An Aesthetic Experience in Art, Design, and Craft Images / Laurie Poast Atelier Words / Laurie Poast Atelier

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aurie Poast is a visual aesthete with an academic background in the sciences. Before studying art at university, she was educated in business with minor study in behavioral neuroscience, philosophy, music, modern dance, and literature. This course of study led her to explore what value lies at the intersections of seemingly disparate disciplines which we have historically worked to separate. Here, she found, precisely at these intersections, is where innovation takes root. Laurie Poast Atelier houses a product design studio, a fine art

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sculptural practice, and the Poast design brand. The brand offers artisancrafted objects of art and decoration directly to the consumer, to the interior architecture trade, and through retailers internationally. The studio has collaborated in design, prototyping, production, and marketing with other public and private industry stakeholders. Many sculptural works by Poast are in noteworthy collections worldwide. Working with ceramic, wood, metal, plaster, cement, fiberglass, resin, and other materials is very natural to Poast, having grown up under the wings of half-built airplanes and

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with curls and curious shapes of wood underfoot. Her father, a nationally acclaimed violin luthier, was a builder of beautiful structures like flying machines and classic automobiles, musical instruments, furniture, facades, and rooftops. The workshop is where she played, and her play grew quite inevitably into her work. So after working in business for many years in the United States, she moved to Europe in 2009 and began her professional artistic practice. 72

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“With her spheres and curves and angles and proportions, we put social and emotional chaos into order; we see form created out of unformed elements; we see discordant things arranged into mathematical and artistic harmony. ” Collectors of Poast's work connect with the minimalist nature of it: the intentional absence of everything that distracts from what is most beautiful. In the acquisition of Poast's art, we curate our own moments of pleasure; of calm; of delight of the visual sense. With her spheres and curves and angles and proportions, we put social and emotional chaos into order; we see form created out of unformed elements; we see

discordant things arranged into mathematical and artistic harmony. Poast's work offers collectors an instinctive closeness to their own sense of beauty. poast.no Instagram / @lauriepoast

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Andreas Emanuel Söderlund Artisan Woodworker

Images / Andreas Emanuel Söderlund Words / Maria Vole

Andreas Emanuel Söderlund got his first knife at the age of five, and ever since then he’s had a real passion for working with wood. Andreas is a woodworker, artist and designer based in Bergen – but his roots are further afield. Localfolk Magazine

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I grew up in a very small town in Finland, with the forest as my nearest neighbour. Living in such a rural place, my siblings and I had to keep ourselves entertained. Since there weren’t many kids around to play with, I spent a lot of time in nature and passed the time by woodcarving and making things,” Andreas says. From humble beginnings with woodcarving as a child, Andreas, who is entirely selftaught, now handcrafts artistic wood products from his workshop at home. He says, “When I was young, I always wanted to be an artisan carpenter – designing and

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creating beautiful handmade furniture was a dream of mine. I’ve always enjoyed creating, using my hands for something practical – I’d go crazy if I didn’t have this creative outlet.” Andreas and his wife moved to Norway in 2017. He says, “I always wanted to move somewhere new – I have a bit of an adventurous streak. My wife and I loved the idea of Norway because of the beautiful nature, and after going on a road trip around the country, we decided to try Bergen.”

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Since making the move to Bergen, Andreas has settled in well. “I love the beautiful nature here – the mountains, the fjords, the ocean, the forests...I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I get a lot of inspiration and creativity from nature,” he says. However, the weather in Bergen isn’t always the best. “There’s quite a lot of rain! Coming from a sunny place in Finland, moving to Norway’s rainiest city was a bit of a change,” Andreas says with a laugh. Andreas’ work started as a hobby, but has grown into a side business alongside his full-time job building sets and stage elements at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen. He loves variety in his work, and creates a range of different items. ”These days, I’m making a lot of hollow forms and vessels – vases and similar pieces. These are my main focus at the moment, not because they sell the most but because they’re the type of pieces that bring me the most joy right now,” Andreas says. His passion for his work and drive to create keeps Andreas quite busy. “The piece I’m most proud of is Derretero de Valverde – an ash hollow form I created in 2020. It has a labyrinth carved on the outside which leads to the inside, which is entirely covered in 24 karat gold leaf,” he says. “It was a really fun, challenging project that took over 50 hours, and I’m not entirely certain how I managed to finish it!” When it comes to his creative process, Andreas relies on his intuition. “I don’t think too much about what I’m doing or why I’m doing it – I just do what I feel like in the moment, bringing out the Localfolk Magazine

“People are starting to realise that buying and discarding mass-produced items is bad for the environment – and many people also want to support local artists and craftspeople.”

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ideas, shapes and designs I see in my mind’s eye. I’ve always had an eye for aesthetics, so I trust my own judgment. I’ve always loved beautiful shapes and patterns, so it’s very important to me that my design is pleasing to the eye or interesting to look at.” Craftspeople like Andreas rely on consumers recognising the value of buying artisan products. Though buying a handcrafted item from an artist may cost more, it’ll likely also mean more – and having a few quality items can be much more meaningful than having many cheap, easily discarded products. “If you buy a bowl that’s been handcrafted from quality materials by a skilled artist, that item could easily last 50 years if you take proper care of it whereas a plastic, mass produced bowl from Ikea might be used for a year or two before being thrown away,” Andreas says. “People are starting to realise that buying and discarding mass-produced items is bad for the environment – and many people also want to support local artists and craftspeople.” andreasemanuel.com Instagram / @aesoderlund Facebook / @southgrovecrafts

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Amateur Stories Images / Amateur Stories Words / Kai Isaksen

Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you (Austin Kleon). Amateur Stories is an exciting fashion brand from Bergen founded by Merete Heggenes and Marianne Omland. The philosophy of slow fashion is the key element of the brand, which combines the brand’s sustainable practices with the customer’s shopping experience, and with the ultimate aim that each piece will be a loved garment and a key piece in their wardrobe. Localfolk Magazine

e caught up with Merete Heggernes, who founded the brand together with Marianne Omland. She laughs out loud when asked to describe the relationship between herself and her co-founder: “Oh, we have been friends for more than twenty years now, after originally meeting through our husbands, and we quickly found out that we bonded over a common passion for creativity, fashion and design”, she says. They both shared a dream of building their own brand, but individual efforts had not gone far, so they decided to pool their resources and build something together. But what about that name, ‘Amateur Stories”, is it a description of their journey as a brand? Again, Merete laughs and gets ready to answer a question she has probably received a thousand times. “People often ask that”, she says. We love this name because it describes our position in this industry in an accurate way, but most of all we love the meaning of the word. Originally it comes from the Latin word amare – to love, so being an amateur simply means doing what you love.” And that is exactly what the ladies at Amateur Stories are doing. They fully enjoy the whole process, to be creative together, designing garments they love, and not to mention, the exciting hunt for vintage treasures. They both have other jobs, Marianne as a doctor and Merete 88

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as a pedagogical adviser, but they are building the brand step by step in their spare time – and loving the journey. Kimonos are the main element in the Amateur Stories fashion line. They offer both tailored made kimonos and vintage kimonos. “When we started Amateur Stories, we discussed what kind of clothes we wanted to design, what we both would like to have in our closet. We agreed that we wanted to deliver versatile, usable and timeless garments that could add nicely to into a capsule wardrobe”, tells Merete. “We were also very inspired by the Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics, which have a lot of similarities; the minimalistic expression, the clear cuts and the respect for materials,” she continues. “The kimono is a beautiful garment in every way!” she exclaims. It fits almost any occasion; it fits most body types and stands the test of time. The whole look of it can easily change by using different kinds of fabric and that makes the creative process very exciting, because it allows them to play with a lot of different textures and silhouettes. They also treasure hunt for vintage kimonos and leftover fabrics - beautiful garments and textiles that are already made and can be reused, redesigned or repaired. In Japan, repair of broken things is desirable, and the repaired item is perceived to have a higher value than before, because of the history it contains.

This method for highlighting scars with silver or gold is called Kintsugi and tapping into this philosophy, Amateur Stories have introduced this to their clothing brand, by using golden thread in some of their vintage kimonos.

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Merete underlines the concept of “slow fashion” being very important for their brand. Buying a kimono from Amateur Stories is not a spurof-the-moment decision, so consequently, the focus on quality and exclusivity is natural for Amateur Stories. Customers are invited to attend Fashion Salons where they can see the product range and discuss options. Each kimono is then made to order, so the entire process takes some time, giving the customer plenty of opportunities to ensure they are happy with their choice. “If you are lucky you might also get your hands on a vintage kimono, which we call “The Golden kimono,” Merete says. These are one of a kind, totally exclusive, and they are launched at their Instagram profile when they are ready to be sold. These are not possible to pre order, so you just have to follow and keep an eye to their Instagram feed. “The Basic kimono” is made of natural fibers, like cotton, wool and silk,” Merete says. Furthermore, they do not produce more than they sell, and all production is done according to the philosophy of ethical production. A chance encounter at the fashion and textile exhibition; Premiere Vision in Paris in 2019, steered them in the direction of a familyowned producer in India which suited their company philosophy, they were also keen to work with Amateur Stories on smaller batches of products. This gives them the flexibility to be innovative whilst knowing that production is done according to ethical standards. Amateur Stories makes small and exclusive collections, and by staying true to their philosophy of slow fashion there is no compromise on quality. amateur.no Instagram / @amateurstories

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BRGN

By Lunde & Gaundal

Fashionable & sustainable rainwear It was on an evening stroll up Bergen’s Mount Fløyen that BRGN founders Karine Lunde and Ros-Mari Gaundal realised how puzzled they both were about the shortage of fashionable rainwear. In Bergen, your raincoat is not just a piece of clothing used every now and then. Here, your raincoat is an everyday essential. Images / Helle Frogner Words / Matias Ludvig Littauer

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onsidered the rainiest city in Europe and boasting an impressive record of 85 consecutive days of rain, this coastal city in the west of Norway promises to soak any citizen challenging the forces of nature without proper clothing. Through generations, nature-loving Norwegians have found innovative ways to counter the rough North European weather, and as the traditional Norwegian saying goes, ”there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Nevertheless, it was function lacking fashion that eventually led Karine & RosMari to establish BRGN. With Karine and Ros-Mari’s abilities within design and marketing respectively, they started a project which has brought fashion and functionality together in stylish Scandinavian rainwear. BRGN’s design is inspired by nature. Living close to wild and diverse nature, it’s natural for Karine to take advantage of her surroundings to stimulate creativity. The colours of BRGN’s upcoming spring collection draws on Scandinavian light and the Norwegian nature around the west coast.

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But BRGN was never just about designing fashionable rainwear. For Karine and Ros-Mari, the ambition was always to carry out their project in an “earth-friendly” way. They have made sustainability an integral part of the design, taking on an ambition to always start from a place of sustainability and integrity. All of BRGN’s products consist of sustainable materials. The products are durable and high-quality products, designed to endure years of West-Norwegian weather and thereby challenge the consumer culture of fast-fashion. As the latest step in their project, BRGN opened a “store & bistro” in Bergen’s historical train station at the end of last year. The store puts roots down in the city that BRGN was founded in and based on. In the store, customers can find all BRGN’s items in stock. The bistro is attached and has a little space for people to sit and enjoy high quality, locally sourced food. Everything is homemade, from the cakes to the breads. For Karine and Ros-Mari, it’s a way of being present in the community and a place where they can give back. Lying at the foot of Mount Fløyen, the bistro will be a place to hold events with local chefs and artists. Although corona has made it a bit more difficult to organise events, you can already take cover from the rain at BRGN’s store and bistro and even enjoy highend Norwegian tacos (Yes, Norwegian tacos!) with Prosecco at the weekly “Bobler & Tacos” every Friday. brgn.com Instagram / @brgnbylundegaundal 96

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Norlender Knitwear

Celebrating tradition with a focus on sustainability

Norlender Knitwear is a true family business. For almost 100 years, the Tveiten family have been hard at work supplying high-quality woolen garments to customers from both near and far. Stephanie Tveiten is the fourth generation in the family of knitwear enthusiasts based on the island of Osterøy on Norway’s west coast. Images /Norlender Words / Maria Vole

Image / Isak Okkenhaug

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y great-grandfather started the business in 1927. His cousin had bought a knitting machine, and convinced my greatgrandfather that clothes were the future,” Stephanie says. Getting a big knitting machine transported up to the mountain farm where the Tveiten family lived wasn’t easy - it took a horse and sled as well as the helpful hands of many neighbours to get it up. The family built a small factory, initially producing cotton underwear, and the business grew fast. In the 1980s, faced with changing market demand and an increasingly global clothes industry, they decided to leave cotton behind and begin to produce traditional woolen sweaters based on the strong and diverse history of Norwegian knitting.

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“I think a reason we’ve stayed afloat all these years is because we’ve come to be known for the quality of our garments. I also think people like the fact that it’s a family-run business, and it’s important to us to tell the story behind our clothes. Our garments are knitted and sewn right here in Norway, and every piece is developed with care and attention. The history behind it plays into why people buy our products - when you buy from us, you buy more than just a sweater,” Stephanie says. With a drive to maintain the high standards of craftsmanship traditional Norwegian knitwear is known for, Norlender produces high-quality garments made of 100% wool using materials and designs that are based on traditional Norwegian knitting.

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“Norway is very well known for our wool and our woolen products. We’re known for being a cold country that understands how to dress for the cold, and the best thing for cold weather is good quality wool. The Norwegian wool we use is known for being very high quality and durable,” Stephanie says. “The long knitting traditions and patterns in Norway are well regarded, and it’s a part of our cultural heritage that we’re known for internationally.” Though the brand celebrates Norwegian knitting traditions and heritage, it has a strong international focus as well. “Norwegian knitting is well-known and popular globally, and we sell our products to customers and businesses around the world. There’s a lot of demand for genuine Norwegian sweaters,” says Stephanie. Sustainable and socially responsible production is very important to the Norlender brand. Since their factory was first built, the Tveiten family focused on ensuring their employees had a safe and comfortable place to work.

production processes. The Norlender factory is open to visitors, and we’re happy for people to visit to see how our garments are made. I think people are becoming more aware of where their products come from and what the production process looks like,” says Stephanie. Over the past few decades with a growing awareness of the changing environment, Norlender has taken steps to ensure their business and output is as environmentally friendly as possible. “It’s very important to us to be as sustainable as possible, and it’s something that’s always in the forefront of our minds. All production entails some emissions, but anything we can do to diminish that in terms of transport, production and raw material is good. We prefer to use materials that have been produced closer to us, and are as locally sourced as possible. One of our goals for the future is to be one of the greenest clothes manufacturers,” Stephanie says. norlenderknitwear.no Instagram / @norlender Facebook / @norlender

“I think people trust that our products are being made under proper conditions since we’re very open about our Localfolk Magazine

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Tine Marie Traaholt Everybody recognises someone but nobody sees the same person.

Images / Kristin Jørgensen Words / Kai Isaksen

The path to becoming one of the most exciting artists in Bergen has been long and windy for Tine Marie Traaholt. Her distinctive portraits have taken the Bergen art scene by storm and she is struggling to keep up with demand for her paintings. Perhaps it was destiny that led her to where she is today, but she never really envisioned herself as a painter. Localfolk Magazine

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In many ways I have returned to my childhood roots,” she tells Localfolk. Tine grew up in a house with three generations living under the same roof, and a grandfather that was proficient in many forms of artistry. “I used to spend hours in his atelier, just watching him work as he would paint, sculpt or in some other way create pieces of art.” Although she discovered a love for drawing at a young age, she never had a vision of herself as an artist. Yet, she started down that long path by choosing drawing as an elective subject in school. When entering high school in her hometown of Bergen, she was lucky to be included in an experimental setup that combined art subjects with traditional academic subjects like physics, chemistry, and maths. Here she explored her artistic side whilst at the same time building the base for her career as an architect. “I suppose I really owe a lot of my artistic abilities and interests to Jorunn and Steinar, two of the teachers at Krohnsminde VGS”, she says thoughtfully. The path continued as she left home in Bergen at the age of 19 to study two years at Asker Kunstskole in Heggedal, just outside Oslo. “The thing I remember most from that time is how small a place it was,” she laughs, “we had literally nothing else to do than paint and create art.” At that stage she felt certain she would never end up as a painter. “I dabbled in all kinds of art”, she says, “sculpting, performance art, you name it...”

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The path took her to places like New York and Italy before she landed in Singapore to study architecture. “I was an archetypal restless soul,’ she laughs, but in Singapore she must have found some peace, because she returned to Bergen after two years to complete her degree in architecture - and also met her husband and started a family, perhaps laying down her roots at last. “I worked, and still do, as an interior architect, but found myself becoming very fascinated by painted portraits,” she tells, “the very naked and vulnerable nature of a portrait captivated me.” So, she decided to try to paint a bit herself. Perhaps was it always destined to go that way, perhaps her grandfather’s spirit returned to her once she had returned to Bergen, in any case she found enjoyment and peace of mind in painting. She was home again at last. So, are there any painters she is inspired by, or feel connected to? “Some people say they see hints of van Gogh in my paintings, but I don’t really see that”, she says. Her grandfather loved Munch, but when pressed gently about it, she mentions Ryan Hewett, the South African painter as a source of inspiration. And, looking at her paintings, there it is undeniably a link to the work of Hewett, even if Tine has developed her own distinctive style. “I love getting feedback on my paintings,” she smiles, “everyone sees someone, but nobody sees the same person in my portraits,” she continues. There is, perhaps, a logical explanation to this. None of her portraits depict a specific person. Instead, she gathers inspiration from everywhere in her daily life, and builds images based on these. For instance, if she notices a person with some distinctive feature in a shop, she carries that memory with her, until it surfaces as part of a new portrait. In her studio at home, she often works on several paintings at the same time. “My work process is a sort of a structured chaos,” she explains. She always starts by drawing the outline of the new portrait. Localfolk Magazine

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Then she sets it aside for a while, letting the idea brew in her mind until she is ready to complete it. “I get a lot of inspiration from the colour combinations I see in nature,” Tine says. She will try to recreate those colour combinations in her paintings playing with different combinations of light and shadows to create the dramatic effects, for which she has become known. As part of this process, she will carry the unfinished painting around in her house, to see it from different angles and in different light and shadows before she can finally be content that it is complete. “I just know when it is ready,” she exclaims. Her journey has taken her from her grandfather’s atelier, through twists and turns, to her own studio at home in Bergen, and now she is excited to see where it may lead next. “I do have a kind of happy-go-lucky attitude about it all,” she laughs. Tine does not have a very structured plan for her career as such, but she is determined to explore all possible opportunities it may afford her. Corona may have put a damper on 2020 on Tine Marie Traaholts plans but she is ready for 2021 and speaks enthusiastically about what she hopes to achieve. One main objective is to set up a pop-up exhibition in Bergen, where anyone can enjoy her work and see who they recognise. In February you can see her work displayed at Strandgaten 71 in Bergen. tinetraaholt.no Instagram / @tinetraaholt

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Simen Langeland All in the details

Images / Simen Langeland Words / Silje Langerud

They say it’s all in the details, and Simen Langeland’s works takes richness of detail to the next level. Combined with a surreal expression, inspiration from history and literature and a playfulness with colours, the visual artist and illustrator from Bergen has established a highly unique trademark for himself. His early work was, however, very different from his current style. “I started quite late, actually. I had never pursued art until 2009, when I that year decided to enrol in an evening course in painting”, he reveals. Image / Nattsvømmere

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t didn’t take long for the inner talent to show its true colours, however, and he soon applied to Bergen academy of art and design with material he produced at the course. His application was accepted, and the rest is history. “When I first started my mind was just set on it, really”. Acrylic and traditional techniques was his go-to in the early artist days, but he soon found his own style which primarily involves drawing, watercolour painting and a combination of the two. The pen stroke is particularly important in his works. Bringing art to everyday life Simen’s name has become immensely popular on the art scene, and he has several exhibitions and commissions to look back at. The works have been presented in galleries, as murals, at festivals and in culture centres. Simen has done a lot of commission work for cultural institutions through the years, but has also become popular amongst local bands in want of unique album covers. He has also illustrated a board game and numerous posters for various events, in addition to working on his own ideas and projects.

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Although his works are anything but simple, his style is easy to like and brings art down to a level that is easily understood and appreciated by many. There have been a great number of exciting projects since Simen put the first stroke on the canvas in 2009, and one of his favourites is a fairly recent one. In August 2020, he completed a 2 x 1,5 meter large painting of Torgallmenningen in Bergen, which is packed with the most astonishing details. “It was sold immediately”, Simen tells us, “larger formats are very popular, and I really enjoy working with it”. Inspired by the past and the present “I read all the time, and what I draw and paint is usually inspired by what I read”. His interest in history and literature is reflected in his works, which often includes historical and literary themes and details. He also reveals that he’s often inspired by current affairs, and likes to merge the different worlds in his works. “Mythological and historical references can be to shed light on the present time”, he explains.

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“I want to convey something recognisable and relevant, yet poetic and emotionally charged. It’s all about achieving that balance”

Although he doesn’t consider himself an overly political artist, he does think it’s important to use his art to promote certain cases. One example is when he created a series of works inspired by the refugee crisis, set in a surreal and metaphorical world. “I want to convey something recognisable and relevant, yet poetic and emotionally charged. It’s all about achieving that balance”. He considers himself a rather flexible artist, and is not worried about offending people with his works. “It’s important to let go of the urge to please everyone, you have to stand up for what you believe in”, Simen concludes. simenlangeland.com Instagram / @simenlangeland.kunst

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HAREM Håkon Børs-Lind

Images / Arne Beck Words / Kai Isaksen

The most beautiful mosaics are made of broken pieces If you have walked past Gategalleriet in Nørstegaten in Bergen, you have most likely seen some of the intriguing work of art by the artist with the street name HAREM. He has taken the step from street art into the world of recognised gallery art in a short time and is one of the hottest young artists in Bergen. His paintings with a very distinct style will inevitably draw you into his fascinating world of “mosaicism”. Localfolk Magazine

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hat is what Håkon Børs-Lind, the artist behind the street name HAREM, calls his unique style of painting. “This is both because of the style itself, which resembles the laying of mosaic tiles to form a picture, and partly because I started developing this style in the country of Mozambique, where I was lucky to spend some time a few years back,” explains Håkon. In fact, the term mosaicism could also apply to how different pieces of experience have completed the picture that is HAREM today. Firstly, there is his artistic side, born as a street artist, nurtured and developed when he travelled through 17 countries in Africa, where he built sports centres, over a period of two years. “I always enjoyed drawing and sketching, and in Africa I spent hours and hours driving alone and had a lot of time to think and create ideas”, tells Håkon. He would sketch down his ideas quickly, sometimes by the side of the road, perhaps never knowing whether it would ever turn into something bigger. However, the seed of a career as an artist had been sown. 122

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Then, there is the other side of him, the one that moved to Bergen to study to become a qualified nurse, the one who works in a hospital and saw painting more as a way to relax between diving into books as a student and helping patients as a nurse. “I really enjoy working as a nurse, the way you interact with people in their most vulnerable moments, and being able to help and comfort them, has given me some inspiration for how I think about art,” he says thoughtfully. The two worlds are even merging now, as he has recently been awarded the job to provide art for Sandviken Sykehus in Bergen, perhaps symbolic of the two sides of him merging into one. This was also evident when he displayed a large painting at Oslo Central station last summer, in support of the nurses and medical personnel fighting the corona virus that was sweeping the country. “I painted the painting wearing a nurse uniform, and when it was done, I wore the uniform, full of paint stains, to a TV interview,” says Håkon. Many people have mentioned that it really brought home the struggle faced by the nurses in hospitals at the time.

his paintings were really good, so they loaded up the car with his art pieces and drove around to several galleries in Bergen. Much to his surprise, one gallery decided to take all of them, and he realised that his work really did offer something new and unique to the art scene. “In some ways, I was deprived of the initial phase of struggling that all great artists speak of,” laughs Håkon, “but I am not complaining.” His style means that each painting is usually planned to a great level of detail before he starts working on it. He often uses live models for a photoshoot, where he can take 100-200 photos before finding the one that fits the vision he has in his head. “There is always a message in my artworks,” he says. Sometimes, he fails to fulfill his original vision, and the painting ends up in a status he calls “på tenk”- i.e., literally “at thinking stage”, where he might return to it later when a new vision hits him. Or the painting might end up being discarded. “Canvas is expensive,” he explains, “and it is good for the environment to reuse it.”

Although best known for his work in mosaicism, Yet, he never really thought of art becoming anything Håkon has also recently worked with paintings in more than a hobby, until a friend convinced him that the style of realism. Currently, he is working on a Localfolk Magazine

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piece called “Hope”, but he recently completed the painting “Golden Repair”, which was painted in honour of the victorious fight against cancer by a close friend and inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kintzugi where broken items of porcelain are glued together with gold and revered as even more valuable after the repair than it was before it broke. When asked where the name HAREM comes from, Håkon explains that it dates back to the time he travelled around presenting his paintings to gallery owners in Bergen. “The owner that accepted my first paintings said I should have an artist name, and in the car on the way home I agreed with my friend that HAREM sounds both intriguing and mysterious, so I stuck with it,” he laughs.

Instagram / @harem_kunst

Images / Håkon Børs-Lind

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Paal Kahrs Architects Buildings That Tell A Story

Images / Jan M. Lillebø Words / Maria Vole

Paal J Kahrs Architects is a Bergen-based architecture firm established in 1986. Throughout the company’s 35-year history, they’ve been part of some incredible projects.

Facing image / Francisco Munoz

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EO Paal J. Kahrs was still in his 20s when he founded the company, and he shows no signs of slowing down. “While some of my friends are talking about retiring at this point, I’m focused on developing the company. I want to carry on working for many years,” Paal says with a smile. Paal talks with enthusiasm about the many interesting projects he’s worked on over the years. Designing the torch for the Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway in the winter of 1994 was a career highlight for Paal. “The Olympics being hosted in Norway in 1994 was really exciting to most Norwegians, and one of the biggest symbols of the Olympics was of course the Olympic torch, so this was a very interesting project to be part of,” Paal says. “An open competition for the torch design was launched, and I believe they received around 150 proposals. After we won,

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it was a really interesting process towards developing the torch that ended up being used – I learned a lot.” The torch was designed by Paal and a young student he’d hired to work with him, André Marandon. “The concept behind the torch was man’s mastery over fire. The difference between this torch and the other Olympic torches that had been created was that the torch didn’t just have a flame at the top – the flame was spread over a larger area,” Paal says. “The torch we designed has associations with traditional Norwegian craftsmanship – it resembles a typical sheath knife with a long handle made of birchwood and a metal blade. The torch represents the harmonious union of old and new –the wooden handle is a nod to Norwegian heritage, and the length of the torch harks back to the long staffs the Birkebeins used while the polished aluminium blade evokes new, modern Norwegian technology.”

Images / Francisco Munoz The torch is made by Paal J Kahrs Arkitekter AS Design André Marandon and Paal Johan Kahrs

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Fjell Fortress was another significant project for the company. The local area has a lot of history, and Fjell Fortress was built by German forces during the occupation of Norway in WWII. The main purpose of the fortress was to ensure the Germans could defend the approach to Bergen at the coastline north and south of Sotra. The main weapon at the fortress was a cannon tower with a three-barreled naval gun turret which was taken from the battleship Gneisenau. Below the cannon, there’s a spacious underground facility containing accommodations, and infirmary as well as cannon service areas. The Germans used Eastern European and Norwegian war prisoners to build the fortress, and 25 prisoners died in the process. “It’s important to preserve the history of the area, and pay homage to what has happened there,” Paal says. Localfolk Magazine

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“The main idea behind our buildings and designs is that they are adapted to the situation they’re in.” The cannon was removed in the late 60’s and the new building was opened on May 8th in 2005, which was the 60-year anniversary of Norway’s Liberation Day. The concept behind the project was that visitors would be able to walk up the stairs below the cannon well, to experience a panoramic view from the top of the cannon. A new pavilion with 360° glass windows was positioned over the cannon well, and its design

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was carefully considered. The idea was that it should not dominate or disrupt the history of the facility, which now functions as a museum. “The main idea behind our buildings and designs is that they are adapted to the situation they’re in. We try to give each project its own identity, and we want our buildings to stand out without dominating their surroundings,” Paal says.

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Skipet (The Ship) in Solheimsviken, which was completed in collaboration with Holon Arkitektur, is a recent project that has garnered a lot of attention. “Skipet was a very interesting project to work on. In a way, it’s brought me back to my roots – my great-great grandfather delivered lumber to the shipyard in Solheimsviken more than 150 years ago,” Paal says. The building forms a bridge between different cityscapes that serve different functions. On one side of the building there are busy, main roads that lead to Bergen city centre, where many cars, cyclists and pedestrians pass. On the other side, there’s a more quiet area with cafes, offices, a promenade and a marina. With the body of the building, we were able to shield the calmer space from the heavily trafficked roads nearby. Skipet is therefore an important separating feature that offers a transition between these contrasting city spaces. “I like to find something unique or characteristic for the buildings I work on. For Skipet, that’s the ship’s “bow”, the sloped shape of which creates an interesting tension between the tall, straight facade of the hotel we made next to it,” Paal says.

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“After completing a build, I always consider what I’ve learned, if there’s anything I could’ve done differently to make it even better.”

Paal devoted a lot of time to designing his own bespoke cabin based at Lerøy outside of Bergen. “The cabin at Lerøy is one of my top 3 favourite builds. The building was inspired by a jewelry box – I had some orange Vernon Panton chairs that I felt were true jewels of design, and I thought they deserved to be in a setting that reflected that,” Paal says. On the outside, the cabin is quite smooth and polished, while the inside is plush and soft. This creates an interesting contrast. With a focus on a vibrant, orange hue which is accented by subdued choices of other materials, such as natural stone and painted wood, the cabin gives off a unique and modern stylistic expression. “I’m not afraid to use colours – I like there to be a playful element to the work I do,” Paal says. Paal is inspired by creating a true connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The cabin features glass panels on all sides, which grounds the space in its natural surroundings. The cabin offers beautiful views of the fjords to the north and east and the forest to the south.

“I like to try to erase the divide between the inside and outside, bringing elements from inside outdoors and incorporating elements that belong outside in indoor spaces,” Paal says. Paal’s company consists of a small, committed team. “We’ve never had many employees, but we have a great capacity for getting a lot of great work done. We’ve been lucky to have many interesting, challenging assignments that have helped us to develop. I think that’s given me the capability to understand design and detailing as well as seeing the full picture of complex projects,” says Paal. Paal is always looking ahead to the next prospect. “I always feel that the next project will be the best one. After completing a build, I always consider what I’ve learned, if there’s anything I could’ve done differently to make it even better. My focus is always on the next job, and how I can do that even better than the last. That’s one of the biggest driving forces behind our company – the hunt for the perfect result.” kahrs-arkitekter.no Instagram / @kahrsarkitekter Localfolk Magazine

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Saunders Architecture

Todd Saunders on Architecture’s Social Attributes and Community Contribution

Images / Saunders Architecture Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

Originally from Newfoundland, Todd Saunders arrived in Bergen for employment in 1996. He founded Saunders Architecture only two years later. Since 1998, his visions have led to worldwide recognition, but that’s not why he’s still drawing. 142

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aunders Architecture won gold in the A’Design Competition 2019 in the category of Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design. The hotel dining room, Fogo Island Shed, won gold once again at the World Architecture News Awards in 2020. “It’s a small dining hall in nature,” Todd said of the building, which facilitates dining by candlelight since it doesn’t have electricity. “We were up against museums,” he shared, adding that this award and the building itself means a lot to him for several reasons. It’s located in Newfoundland, in an area Todd loves, and it’s a place he’s visited numerous times with his family and friends. Although based in Bergen, Saunders Architecture has worked on a variety of different projects in numerous countries. Todd has taught in Scandinavia and Canada as well as Norway. He is a newly elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, an organisation of professional designers and artists from Canada that was founded in 1880. With their twelfth building in Canada recently finished, Saunders Architecture have a number of things to celebrate. However, Todd confessed he doesn’t focus on awards when Localfolk asked him to share any achievements or personal landmarks he’s reached. Instead of reminiscing about competitions, nominations or awards he’s won, he spoke of the multiple rewards he’s received through his years of being an architect. He values

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the incredible stories he has been told by strangers and the beautiful experiences he has shared with new people. He described architecture as extremely tough but extremely rewarding. “I enjoy what it’s given back. It’s worth it.” He couldn’t signal out a favourite project of his either. “All of these places mean something to me.” The commonality amongst his favourites is that they’re the projects Todd has learnt the most from. “Some are extremely complex. You up your level each time. The ones that give you the most resistance are where you get the most learning.” Todd’s never had two days alike in architecture, and he seems to thrive off of the constant new encounters. He’s very comfortable making mistakes, but he doesn’t call them mistakes. He refers to these situations as decisions to be made. “You learn by making decisions and you start to make better decisions.” While describing being an architect as a great job that requires a lot of intuition, he pointed out that being in your fifties could mean the end of your career with most other vocations. Yet Todd finds himself “heading to the best years” in his profession. However, Todd is quick to admit that it’s still not always easy. “Architecture is complicated. An artist can draw all day long. I can, but then it takes years to execute.” Saunders Architecture is known for executing work efficiently. “We get stuff done. We’re

Image / Aurland Lookout

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Images / Carraig Ridge House

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really good at helping clients by creating solutions to their complex problems.” He keeps his focus on experimentation, exploring and being challenged. His architecture has taken him all over the world, and he hopes to build in Costa Rica or Chile someday since he finds himself drawn to South America. “It’s like Newfoundland – rugged and rough.” He spent three weeks with the Inuit a couple of years ago where he participated in a number of their cultural practices while living among them. “I really like the social part of architecture. I learn a lot from the other people, from different cultures and different situations.” So perhaps it’s no surprise that the question Todd is most concerned with isn’t how, but why. “Architects have thousands of reasons how, but that’s not going to help them.” There are fewer

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reasons why an architect draws, but that is exactly what he’s interested in. People have asked him what it feels like when he draws, and he has a speedy one-word answer: euphoric. “Then I know why I do it.” Moving forward, Todd is focusing on projects with a larger social impact. He’s currently working with others on an article about architecture and philanthropy. No longer a victim of whoever calls on the phone, Saunders Architecture is working on a visitors centre in Katahdin National Park in Maine, USA at the moment. Todd is interested in buildings that more people can enjoy and shared spaces that focus on community. He describes this endeavour as “more projects that add to life.” saunders.no Instagram / @saundersarchitecture

Right image / Squish Studio

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MAKERS from Bergen

TEGNEHIET

Hege Corneliussen Little things make big things happen

Images / Hege Corneliussen Words / Kai Isaksen

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Hege Corneliussen is an artist from Bergen who recently found back to her long-lost love of drawing. What started as a hobby has now become a business because she decided to follow her dream.

Yet, Hege never thought of drawing as anything else than a hobby until quite recently, and when she went to high school, she chose the more traditional academic route over the artistic subjects.

Like many other artists, Hege Corneliussen always enjoyed drawing when she was a child, using every opportunity she got to sit down with pencil and paper. It was perhaps natural, with a very artistic family; her father made wonderful caricatures as well as detailed animal drawings, and one of her aunts excelled in drawing elaborate dresses and outfits from the 1800s.

It was not until she had her own family, and her own children started sketching, that she found back to her passion for drawing. “I sat down with them and started making a few sketches,” she says, “and it was like finding a long-lost love.” Wanting to take her skills to a new level, two years ago she signed up for drawing classes for beginners to learn different techniques and skills.

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“I would find interesting photos on the internet, and just practice copying and developing these,” she says, describing the process of building her own unique style that is visible in her drawings today. She would draw almost anything in the beginning, but slowly gravitated towards animals and portraits, which is her current focus.“I do draw other motifs every now and then if I find interesting ideas,” she says, “but I have found animals and portraits most enjoyable and challenging for me.” As her style has developed, the time she spends on each drawing has increased as well, from 7-8 hours initially to 20, or even 30, hours. “This is due to the level of details,” she explains. “I am greatly inspired by the style of Hyper Realism, especially as practiced by

Juliane Berge (the Kristiansandbased artist known for her almost photographic quality drawings), and I am always trying to develop myself in that direction,” she says. Using A3 format and precise pencil lines, Hege can recreate the individual strain of hair in the fur of a dog, or in the eyebrow of a human face. “But please don’t write that I compare myself to her,” exclaims Hege, “I have so much left to learn before I am even anywhere close to her level.” Initially, she was content about keeping drawing as a hobby, but the sale of her first portrait made her realise that there might eventually be a way to make a living by following her dream. Today she uses Instagram to showcase her drawings, and she

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also accepts orders for commissions as well. “In the future, I hope to set up my own webshop,’ she says. But where does she get inspiration, and how is the process from idea to finished drawing? “I get inspiration from everywhere,” she says. “Often, I draw people or motifs I know personally, or relate to personally somehow – like for instance a character from a film. I have a list of ideas for drawings I want to create, and whenever I start something new, I revisit this list.” Hege’s drawing process starts by making an outline with a soft pencil to define the structure of the drawing. Then she dips into the details, and she’s always starting with the left eye on a portrait and builds from there. “I am not quite sure why I do that,” she wonders, “but it gives me a sense of structure that I am familiar and comfortable with.” Francis Atterbury once said, “it is the attention to detail that makes the difference between average and stunning.” That sums up the work of Hege Corneliussen perfectly.

Instagram / @tegnehiet

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Sigrid Rostad Glass The enduring beauty of glassblowing

Images / Sigrid Rostad Words / Maria Vole

Sigrid Rostad creates beautiful, modern designs using the traditional medium of glassblowing. This talented Bergen-based glassblower opened her own studio last year, and her true passion for her work shines through in her stunning creations. “I’ve always been very interested in design, interiors and furniture. My father was a carpenter who made furniture, and he created a lot of the pieces in our home. As a little girl, I always knew there was something special and unique about that. My father later started working with the Museum of Decorative Art in West Norway, and I was able to come along to see the different exhibitions that were being put on. I was so fascinated with the art and design I saw, and really enjoyed seeing the different things people would make,” Sigrid says.

Sigrid’s dream was initially to become a fashion designer, but at the age of 19, she realised that she wanted to work with glass. She’d been very fascinated by a glassblower she saw as a child, and a chance encounter with a professional glassblower at the age of 19 lit a spark within her. She applied to a year-long glass blowing course at a Danish art school. “I love glassblowing. I find it quite meditative, and glass can create such a clean, beautiful expression. Blowing glass is very intensive - you can’t lose focus for a second or it might be ruined. It’s a challenging, rewarding material to work with, and I’m constantly developing my skills,” Sigrid says.

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“It’s such an exciting material to work with, something about the light in it and the way it behaves – it’s alive.”

After being accepted to art school in Denmark, Sigrid was trained as a glassblower and took on a 3-year apprenticeship. Since then, she’s developed her craft. “Getting started with glassblowing was a challenging, steep learning curve, and I loved it. I learned that there was a lot you could do with glass that I didn’t realise was possible - I found that almost anything is possible as long as you have the techniques and the tools necessary,” Sigrid says. She has now been working with glassblowing for 12 years, and last year, she achieved her long-standing dream of opening up her own workshop. 160

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“I had the incredible opportunity to open my own workshop last summer. It’s been amazing so far - it took a long time to plan, but it was definitely worth it. It’s gone surprisingly well considering the pandemic. I’ve been fortunate to have quite a few assignments from local businesses, private people, restaurants, etc,” Sigrid says. She was recently commissioned to create 120 custom plates for the Michelin-starred Bare Restaurant in Bergen. “That was huge for me, being contacted by them – and it was a big, challenging job. I created three new plates in collaboration with them which

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was really fun. And then I went there for dinner, and being able to eat off plates I created at a Michelin-starred restaurant was a great experience. And the food was fantastic!”

job at the same time. I spend a lot of time on it, and I want to spend a lot of time on it. It’s a joy getting up in the morning, and I wake up every day excited to go to work!”

Sigrid makes a range of different items for homeware and interior decoration, including glasses, bowls, plates, lamps and much more. At the moment, she’s specialising in vases.

Sigrid’s work is both creative and technical in nature. She finds inspiration in a number of different things, and creates pieces that speak to her aesthetic sensibilities.

“I really enjoy making vases because I find it fun to work with different sizes and challenging myself – larger items can be more difficult to handle when glassblowing. I really love the way these pieces can function both as traditional vases but also work independently as a sculpture. They’re beautiful in themselves and can stand alone without flowers, but also work well with flowers in them. The pieces challenge the idea that a vase must be used for the typical bouquet of roses – the person who buys my vases could add a twig or a branch, a single flower, or a full bouquet depending on their preferences. I love the idea that people can be inspired and create their own expression with my pieces,” Sigrid says.

“I’m really interested in interior and design in general – clothes, furniture, etc. I love the minimalistic nature of Scandinavian designs, and I also enjoy the simple but expressive style of Japanese interior and design. At the same time, I love colours and playing around with different colour combinations. I also spend a lot of time outdoors and take a lot of inspiration from nature,” Sigrid says. “I also get inspired by the material itself - the liquid glass. It’s such an exciting material to work with, something about the light in it and the way it behaves – it’s alive. I love to create clean lines but I also want my works to retain some of the dynamic quality of the liquid glass. The soft, liquid glass hardens but retains waves and imploded shapes Sigrid is happy to be able to make a that tell a story.” living doing what she loves. sigridrostad.no She says, “Being self-employed is Instagram / @sigridrostadglass fantastic – is a lot of work, but it’s a fun job. Glassblowing is my hobby and my

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Annette Sandøy Kristiansen Shapes and Shadows

Images / Torstein Nordstrand Words / Maria Vole

Shapes and Shadows Shapes and Shadows is a Bergen-based design concept and shop focused on origami lamps and lampshades. Annette Sandøy Kristiansen is the creator behind the small artisan brand, and she develops and crafts each piece by hand.

With ME came extreme tiredness, pain and confusion. Despite all her efforts to become well, it became clear that an entirely different future lay ahead of her than she had planned for.

Annette has a master’s degree in design, specialising in visual communication. A hardworking and driven person, Annette was eager to enter a career in graphic design and illustration – but there were unknown challenges ahead.

Faced with a challenge that she couldn’t simply work hard to beat - ironically, it would only make her worse - she had to overcome the shock and invent a new outlet for her creative energies. A path where she could control her own time and space, while contributing to the world like she always had wanted.

“Around the same time as I was accepted to university, I got sick. I was mysteriously unwell, and would years later be diagnosed with ME,” Annette says.

“My illness was part of the reason I started working with origami. For me, origami was and is a purely positive thing – something I’m able to work on, figure out and develop in my own time. Localfolk Magazine

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I guess I’ve always had a fascination with paper, and I’m an orderly person who enjoys symmetry and balance. Initially, I saw origami as a sort of personal challenge - I wanted to crack the code and understand how it worked,” Annette says. “I enjoy working with the natural paper and a physical, three-dimensional medium. I gave myself the challenge of doing it, and when I achieved that goal - I was hooked.” That creating paper art takes a very long time, was a bonus. She could set long term goals and work at a slow and steady pace. Annette developed her skills further within origami and paper art, and secretly started producing her own brand of lampshades. “After signing up for a Christmas market here in Bergen, I took 30 of my “babies” to display. I had no real expectations, but to my surprise and joy I was met with an incredible response, and sold a lot of my products. People asked where I’d ordered the lamps, and assumed they were being produced in big quantities somewhere else - but the reality was that I was creating each of them at home at my living room table!” Annette says. Since then, Annette’s business has grown steadily. She’s entirely self-taught, having learned everything she knows through trial and error on her own as well as being inspired

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by her research on the web. Annette is a perfectionist, and she wants each piece she creates to be excellent. Her products originate in creativity and imagination, and Annette is inspired by the diversity of expression they can create. “Most of my products can be used in several ways. One of my recent designs, Sonobe Tetris, is made to either stand alone or be combined to create different interesting forms and stylistic expressions. My origami lamps, which are folded using a single piece of paper, are designed in such a way that they can hang in both directions vertically, as well as mounted from the ceiling, displayed on a shelf or any other way. That’s partly where the

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name Shapes and Shadows came from – I like the idea that people can play around with my products.” Annette is always looking ahead to the next challenge and new ideas for her small business. “I’d like to be as good as I can possibly be. I’m really interested in learning new techniques within origami, and I find true joy in figuring out how to create different patterns, pushing my limits and learning new things.” shapesandshadows.no Instagram / @annettekri

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Gurdish Haugsdal The DISH: Gurdish Haugsdal shares her process and progress as an artist in Bergen

Originally from London, Gurdish Haugsdal moved to Bergen in 2015 with her husband and their child. Those six years have gone by quickly for the artist. She has been able to develop her style further thanks to a very warm and welcoming artist community, new projects, and perhaps the mountains. Images / Gurdish Haugsdal Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

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rivate home paintings and public murals are something Gurdish has been doing since the beginning of her career, and the same goes for her artwork on dishes. She describes the latter as a recycling project since the plates she uses are found at antique stores or markets. She works with the motif that’s present by incorporating what’s already there into the details she creates. “I let the plate dictate the drawing.” They’re all individual, and she calls the process meditative – a stark contrast to how she describes painting murals. Her largescale pieces have a different energy to them and working can feel “a bit like dancing.” She always listens to music while she paints and allows herself to loosen up. “You can be much more expressive with your mark making.” Gurdish also works with window displays, something that started once she arrived in Bergen. “Marks behave differently when light shines differently.” She likes how

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the sun and the shadows come into play, and she loves that it’s a surface you can explore by seeing it from the inside as well as outside. Like her many different canvases, the locations in which her creations are displayed vary greatly as well. Last summer, Gurdish was one of the artists in Norway selected to do a piece in honour of nurses. Her painting ‘Roar!’ was unveiled in the mountains and is “a shout for the elderly.” It is a portrait of nurse Irene Vågen, a specialist who works with people who have dementia. Gurdish wanted to bring more attention to Irene and Eldrebrølet, a campaign that seeks for better care of the elderly and those with dementia. This project was made possible through Piece by Piece, an integrative agency for artists that Gurdish has collaborated with before. “It’s really nice to be a part of their projects – to be making street art and making it more accessible to the public.”

Bergen is one of Norway’s biggest street art hubs, which is one of the reasons why Gurdish believes her urban artistic style has been popular. She believes collaborating is a fantastic way to stay creative. “You can become so stuck in the way you work. People can challenge your methods and the way you perceive your own work.” Gurdish knows the importance of not being static, so she tries to invite people in on projects when she can. “It’s always been important to me to play, experiment and broaden my view. When you're excited and having fun it reflects back into your work.” Bergen is quite a small town in comparison 174

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to London, so the art scene is significantly different. However, Gurdish believes there’s less distraction in Bergen because it’s surrounded by nature. She felt a shift in her career and experienced a much deeper focus upon arriving. Art is rigorously encouraged. “You feel included and you can always partake and get involved. Everyone talks to each other. Everyone is willing to collaborate and do things together.” Gurdish wants to continue developing herself as an artist and Bergen is the perfect place for that. gurdish.com Instagram / @dish_kunst

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Katrin Berge Images / Katrin Berge Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

A Norwegian illustrator and artist living in Bergen, Katrin loves to explore the mountains and forests for inspiration. She has been fascinated with nature and animals since childhood, and works with graphite to create detailed drawings that lean towards the surreal and dark. Katrin grew up in the small town of Fosnavåg in Møre og Romsdal county, a secluded place by the sea with few neighbours and traffic. She didn’t go to kindergarten and says she is grateful to have spent the first years of her life roaming around in nature, rather than being in a noisy and chaotic environment. Katrin moved to Bergen 16 years ago and now creates all of her work in her home studio, located in the middle of the city centre. She likes to start her days with a walk outside, usually in the Nordnes area, and takes trips to the mountains and forests regularly.

“I feel lucky to have grown up where I did, and I think it has greatly influenced me as an artist.” At the age of 16, Katrin’s parents gave her an old-fashioned suitcase with painting and drawing equipment, and she was mostly drawn to the pencils and paper. This suitcase, she says, marked the start of her drawing journey and set her on the path to becoming an artist. At the age of 22, Katrin attended a private art school in Ålesund where her teacher Chris Rønneberg saw her potential and encouraged her to apply to the Bergen Academy of Art and Design. She was accepted and in 2010, Katrin received her master’s in visual communication. Inspired by artists from the 1600s and older art, Katrin admires names such as Maria Sibylla Merian, Joris and Jacob Hoefnagel, Localfolk Magazine

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and Otto Marseus van Schrieck. She collects vintage postcards and Victorian Christmas cards, which often depict animals and birds in romantic landscapes, or anthropomorphized creatures. Old fairytale illustrations are another source of inspiration for Katrin, specifically works by Elsa Beskow, Louis Moe, Theodor Kittelsen, and Beatrix Potter. In addition, she finds inspiration in her large collection of nature books that she keeps in her studio. Important milestones for Katrin as an artist include her first solo exhibition ‘Menneske og dyra’ in both Oslo and Bergen, illustrating the cover of the poem book ‘Garden under jorda’ by author Brynjulf Jung Tjønn, and illustrating the front cover of the Christmas magazine ‘Juleroser’. Katrin shared with Localfolk that the illustration for ‘Juleroser’ was one of her most exciting projects to date, since she was given the theme ‘wreath’ and allowed to interpret it however she wanted. “The artistic freedom made me thrive in the process.”

Katrin’s design process typically involves doing scientific research, finding reference photos, and using her imagination. She comes up with ideas by walking around in nature, looking at photos in books or online, and experimenting with visual ideas in her head. “Imagination is one of the wonderful things to play around with in art!” If she can’t find a perfect reference photo, Katrin draws from several photos to get the right position. That said, she doesn’t like to just copy a photo, so usually she will only draw the objects from photos and make the surroundings her own. If it feels right, Katrin may add a surreal element to her drawings. She likes to depict scenery with animals that somehow interact with one another, which may or may not happen in real life. When asked how Bergen influences her as an artist, Katrin mentioned the nature, the coziness, and the inclusive city. There is a large focus on art and cultural events, as well as a lot of support for artists. She has been awarded a number of scholarships from the municipality, and is fortunate to live in a city that values her work. In terms of time, Katrin can spend anywhere from one week to several months on one drawing. For example, the illustration for ‘Juleroser’ took four months to plan and draw. Her longest illustration project was the book ‘Dyrebar’, published by Magikon Forlag in 2014. She spent an entire year producing 15 illustrations, which was very intense. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Katrin says it’s draining to put the finishing touches on big projects, because she always sees areas for improvement. “I find it so hard to ‘draw the line’ for myself and be satisfied enough to call it the end.” katrinberge.com Instagram / @katrinberge Facebook / @katrinbergeartwork

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FOOD DRINKS CULTURE from Bergen

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Fana Kjøtt

Pride, passion, and quality

Images / Cure AS & Fana Kjøtt Words / Kai Isaksen

Fana Kjøtt is a family-owned company in the meat industry in Bergen and Hordaland. The company is owned and managed by two brothers, Bjarne and Tore Paulsen, and is widely renowned for their high-quality products. Going from strength to strength since their inception, they now supply all the major food chains, as well as more specialised shops and restaurants that all appreciate local food with reliable delivery and the highest quality.

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he company was originally founded in 1987 by Bjarne and Tore’s father, and Bjarne joined in 1989, putting in long shifts to help the company grow. But it was only around the year 2000 that the company we see today was born, when the two brothers relaunched the company and brand name. Bjarne and Tore have found that they work well together and have developed their distinctive roles in the company. “Tore is our quality & technical guru, and I excel in logistics,” Bjarne says with a smile. Through clever recruitment, they have built a team that delivers consistent quality every day.

“Right from the start, we knew what we wanted the company to be,” Bjarne said. “It can all be summarised by two words: Quality and Consistency.” This philosophy of quality is visible in everything they do; The staff are all highly qualified in their trade, the machinery and equipment are modern and well maintained, the company’s finances are solid yearby-year, they partner only with suppliers that subscribe to the same philosophy of quality and can deliver first-rate raw materials, and the line of products produced at Fana Kjøtt is second to none.

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In fact, the company even won a prize for their “pinnekjøtt” recently. “We are still a relatively small company with great flexibility in how we serve our customers,” Bjarne explains. With a small and efficient organisation with skilled people, Fana Kjøtt can respond quickly to customer requests and deliver high quality products with short lead times – which has been greatly appreciated by their customers. Customers and partners that visit the production facility in Sandbrekkevegen, are struck by the structure and tidiness. Production equipment is new and well maintained, there is no garbage lying around and there is that aura of professionalism you find in companies that are comfortable and confident about what they are. Talking to Ronny Pettersen, Head of Production and Purchasing at Fana Kjøtt, confirm perhaps the key element in the success of the company: “The company really invests in the people working here,” he says. Not only does the company take the entire staff on an annual trip somewhere far away - they have been to places like Dubai, New York – but even more important is that the entire company, understands and supports the company culture of pride, passion, and quality. “We want everyone to feel proud of working at Fana Kjøtt,” Bjarne explains, “only then will they truly deliver the quality we strive 186

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for.” And if employee loyalty is a sign of pride, Fana Kjøtt has succeeded on this point as well; of the twelve people working at the company, the newest employee started four years ago, and many have been with the company almost since the beginning. “We all know when to joke, and when to buckle up and put in that little extra effort to deliver to our own standards,” says Ronny. “The owners are more like a playing/ coach than traditional managers,” to use football terminology.” By ensuring they have built a solid foundation for the future, the people at Fana Kjøtt are excited about the future. Bjarne is visibly proud when he talks about the journey Fana Kjøtt has been through so far and looks forward to the next twenty years of exciting opportunities. “We must ensure that we remain proactive and don’t get complacent,” he underlines, “we want to keep the positive chaos we have created as an organisational structure and culture today, but also ensure we have the financial and organisational resources to continue our development also in the future.” fanakjott.no Instagram / @fanakjott

Image / Owners Tore Paulsen and Bjarne Paulsen

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Bareksten

Bareksten Botanical Gin: Bergen’s Own Beauty in a Bottle

Bareksten Botanical Gin is a traditional London Dry Gin in its fabrication, yet it is anything but a conventional product with its original conception and distinctively Norwegian roots. Images / KIND Words / Allison Helêne Schmidt

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hen asked what his job title is, head of sales and marketing Eskil Tjore informed Localfolk that he is most often referred to as a potato. “We don’t really do titles here,” he explained, “except that we recognise ourselves as potatoes.” As their ethanol base is made from potatoes, and since potatoes are commonly used for almost anything, the multitasking and multitalented people behind Bareksten Spirits find that description quite suitable for each other. Unlike potatoes, however, Bareksten Spirits are far from common. The multitasking began when Stig Bareksten started collecting berries and handpicking his own herbs for his own liking. Stig is the founder, but he’s referred to as the godfather of their distillation process. He and some of his friends decided to make something they wanted to drink rather than going mainstream by trying to create a product everyone would enjoy. As it turns out, the number of people who want what they’re brewing in Bergen is growing steadily every day. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Bareksten Botanical Gin Double Gold in 2017. In 2020, despite the difficult year for so many small businesses, the very same gin nabbed the award for Best London Dry Gin.

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Producing a batch of gin is often regarded as fast and easy, but the process of finding the right combination of ingredients is not. “When you find a recipe, you have to stick with it, and you really have to take care of the process after that.” Bareksten’s gin production follows the parameters set for it to be a veritable London Dry, but it has been branded as botanical so that people know what they’re in for when they taste it. Although a lot of its flavour can be attributed to the mineral-rich

water that comes from the regional springs, the twentysix botanicals used are absolutely crucial for the gin’s award-winning taste. Nineteen of the twenty-six can be sourced regionally, which makes it even more special. Some of the ingredients include herbs and fruits such as caraway, citrus peel, coriander, lingonberries, fennel, and various field flowers like lavender and chamomile. It took an awful lot of tinkering to get their gin to where it is today.

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Conversely, the process of the brand's identity was relatively straightforward. When it came to addressing the international market, the ‘potatoes’ knew their packaging needed to stand out as much as their product did. They worked with KIND, a branding agency also located in Bergen, for their product’s presentation. “Branding in our world is pretty important… The look needed to capture the brand, and it needed to have something special.” And it certainly does – the matte black bottle with embossed juniper bushes is as impressive to behold

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as their product is. Goblins and local folklore were part of the inspiration used to convey Norway’s damp forests and its flavour combinations of mythical proportions. “You have to do a good job of promoting the product, so we started off by traveling for international recognition.” Bareksten’s spirits have indeed gained further recognition for their efforts apart from scoring high at international competitions. Although their products cannot be purchased directly from the distributors, they are increasingly easier to find with Bareksten Botanical Gin now available in thirty countries – and counting. “It’s a gin for the enthusiasts, and our small company keeps expanding.” Their distillery is still the same one Bareksten started with despite the fact that the demand for their product has grown exponentially. Even still, the venue is able to host events and provide tasting tours for private bookings arranged ahead of time. When asked about future goals, Eskil references the start of our conversation and the company’s humble origins. “It’s all about going back to the beginning – trying to make the best we can since we’re still growing.” They aim to expand the brand but will always stick to the core concept of making exceptional gin that’s indicative of their love for the drink and representative of the abundant flora found in their diverse backyard. barekstenspirits.com Instagram / @barekstenspirits

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Fine dining with a local twist

BA RE

Restaurant

Images / Helge Hansen Words / Silje Langerud

At Bare Restaurant, it’s all about celebrating the local treasures. “We try to stay as local as possible when it comes to the ingredients, and Norwegian origin is the absolute minimum requirement”, Kristian Bretten Vangen explains, who is main chef at the Michelin star restaurant. 80-90% of the ingredients come from carefully selected farmers, fishermen, hunters and small-scale producers, and they are determined to waste as little as possible – “we use the animals from head to tale”, says Kristian. While many restaurants look abroad for ideas and inspiration, Bare Restaurant have brought something very interesting to fine dining with their local twist. They want to offer the guests an adventurous local food experience filled with delightful surprises. 202

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“The menu faces a ‘brutal’ change twice a year; in the new year and just after summer. We use what’s ripe and available that season”

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Image / Chef Kristian Vangen and general manager Øystein Kalvenes Ellingsen

Bergen’s first Michelin star This strong focus on local ingredients is one of many reasons the restaurant was rewarded Bergens first Michelin star in February 2020. Kristian underlines that the incredible team and their first-class suppliers are behind the success. It was also the result of ten years of hard work with several obstacles along the journey, but with Kjetil Smørås as the main shareholder they now have the stability to develop their focus and quite literally reach for the Michelin stars. Smørås is also the managing director of the hotel and restaurant chain De Bergenske, and Bare Restaurant has been located in Bergen Børs since 2017. Running a restaurant like Bare Restaurant requires a large team. The kitchen is teeming with top-class chefs,

and in the restaurant the waiters and sommeliers are making sure the guests are receiving the best service possible. Bare Restaurant is also a desirable place for promising chefs and sommeliers in training. “All the trainees we take in graduate with great grades and excellent work prospects”, Kristian says. Some lucky chefs and sommeliers even stay with the Michelin awarded restaurant after they graduate. What’s on the menu? Because Bare Restaurant focuses on locally sourced products, it’s natural that the menu will change with the seasons. “The menu faces a ‘brutal’ change twice a year; in the new year and just after summer. We use what’s ripe and available that season”, Kristian explains. Localfolk Magazine

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Image / Kristin Jørgensen

Because they rely on locally sourced products and small-scale producers, the menu is never completely set in stone either. With so much creativity going on in the kitchen, the creations that make it to the plates are rather extraordinary. The goal is to offer the ultimate flavour experience, with wine and juice menus to complete the meal. After the meal, you’re treated to desserts and treats. The sweater options on the menu can be just as creative as the savoury dishes: “The onion ice cream is probably the dish we’ve had most fun creating”, Kristian says. They want the customers to experience as many flavours as possible during their visit, which is why they are focussing on menus with several courses, or tasting menus as they’re better known as.

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You have the choice between a full taster menu and a smaller taster menu, as well as wine packs that are carefully selected for the flavours on your plate. Seafood is a big favourite on the menu, with langoustine being the star of the show. They also have some real showstoppers for meaty and vegetarian alternatives, and have formed a unique relationship with a farm that’s located about an hour away. “We buy the entire animal from the farm, and whatever is left they will come and pick up” Kristian explains. There is, however, not much left of the animal when they are done with it, as they’re determined to utilise as much as possible of the animal. If you’re in the mood for something a bit less extravagant, you can visit their other restaurant Bare Vestland, which is also located in the old stock exchange. Bare Vestland focuses on a more laidback menu and atmosphere, and offer everything from “vestlandstapas” and mussels

to burgers and hearty stews. Bare Restaurant also celebrates local ingredients and traditions, but with a modern and personal touch. You should also pay a visit to Handelskammeret Bar, which is a magnificent bar located right next to Bare Restaurant in what used to be the Chamber of Commerce. Handelskammeret is classy through and through, with mature bartenders and elegant drinks. Some are old classics, while others are their own creations. Just like the restaurants, the bar focusses on excellent quality and ingredients. The Chamber of Commerce is a room filled with history, and used to be the room where the most important meetings were held in the stock exchange. Today, it’s a place for pure enjoyment and lively conversations, and it’s the perfect place for a tipple before or after your visit to Bare Restaurant. barerestaurant.no Instagram / @ barerestaurant

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BERGEN BØRS HOTEL

A Night at the Stock Exchange Images / Hans Jørgen Brun Words / Silje Langerud

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ergen Børs is a spectacular hotel located in a former stock exchange building, and it offers so much more than just a room for the night. “We strive to exceed in everything we do from the moment you step into the building. We want to offer an experience, just the full package”, says the general manager, Yngve Hansen. The staff will make sure that your visit to Bergen is an eventful and memorable one. “We know Bergen. We hire people who use the area and know everything there is to know about it”, Yngve says. He explains how crucial it is for Bergen Børs Hotel to have employees who are passionate about what they do – they need to have that little extra and be able to pass their enthusiasm on to the guests. Customised experiences “We customise experiences for our guests, and have exclusive deals with several local businesses. If you want to go and see Trolltunga, but are short on time, we can arrange for a helicopter to take you there”, he explains. There are also plenty of options when it comes to guided tours. It can be challenging to plan your stay when you don’t know a place well, but the hotel staff are more than willing to do the thinking for the guests.

“Our staff make experiences of a lifetime possible for the guests. We are the place for those who are seeking the most unique experiences” Yngve establishes. Bergen Børs Hotel is in the heart of the city centre, in close vicinity of popular attractions such as the fish market and the old wharf. However, the hotel is so grand you might be tempted to stay in some evenings. There are several excellent eating and drinking options in the old stock exchange. Handelskammeret Bar and the Michelin Star restaurant Bare Restaurant are particularly renowned, but there are plenty of options that are guaranteed to suit your preferences and tastebuds. Celebrating the history The stock exchange was built in 1862, and it has been an important landmark in the city ever since. Bergen Børs Hotel opened in 2017 as part of De Bergenske, which is a chain of hotels and restaurants owned and managed by the Smørås family – a local family with a genuine love and interest for the city. Before the hotel made its entrance in the former stock exchange, there were several empty rooms that were yet to prove their potential. Localfolk Magazine

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The classical and historical traits of the building have been merged with a modern, yet tasteful expression, and it was crucial for the owners to maintain the details and curiosities as well as celebrating the rich history of the building. “We even returned some lost features to make it even more authentic”, Yngve adds. There are plenty of hidden rooms in the building which have now been utilised, including a former prison cell in the cellar from the early days of the stock exchange. It does, however, serve a very different purpose today. It is where they keep some very precious goods – the wine collection.

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Image / General Manager Yngve Hansen Photographer / Francisco Munoz

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Bergen Børs Hotel consists of 127 rooms and suites, all with high ceilings and large windows. They offer everything from stylish single rooms to impressive suites with harbour view. Loft suites are ideal for those who want plenty of space, but the most popular suite is the former stock exchange manager’s office. The furniture are custom made for the hotel, and modern Scandinavian design provides the interior with that unique finishing touch. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity. A hub for the creative scene Bergen Børs Hotel has become an important hub for the art and culture scene in Bergen. Handelskammeret bar is a particularly popular meeting place, and the passion for art is obvious when spectating the walls covered with works from a wide range of artists, including local names. They have also worked with several local musicians,

including Aurora, Datarock and Sondre Lerche. Sondre had the launch party for his latest album at the hotel, and he took over the hotel’s Instagram account for the occasion. The pandemic has emphasised how important it is for the hospitality and entertainment industry support each other. Graffiti artist Andreas Dolk approached the hotel about a special collaboration to support the hotel through the unprecedented challenges. He offered to exhibit the three artworks “Sculpture Zero Medium One”, “Infinity Pool” and “Sculpture Zero Small Seven” in selected suites at the hotel, and split the sales 50/50. This gesture from a local artist illustrates how important and appreciated Bergen Børs Hotel is for the city. bergenbors.no Instagram / @bergenborshotel Facebook / @bergenborshotel

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PHOTOGRAPHERS from Bergen We sat down with five photographers from Bergen, and each brings a unique perspective both in life and in photo.

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Eirik Bjørnerud A hobby photographer and Bergen native, Eirik’s interest in photography goes hand in hand with his love and passion for movies. When he’s not at his 8-to-4 office job, Eirik is often out and about with his camera, telling stories through his photos. Images / Eirik Bjørnerud Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

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Born and raised in Bergen, Eirik has lived on Norway’s southwestern coast his entire life. He purchased an apartment near the city centre almost 6 years ago, and appreciates having the hiking trails in the surrounding mountains close by. “I consider myself lucky to be within walking distance to both my office, the city and the mountains.” If he ever were to leave Bergen, he would want to move abroad to experience a culture other than Norwegian.

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Eirik has been working at an insurance company since 2013, and changed positions within the company a couple years back. His work tasks are varied, but all deal with risk management to some degree, and are constantly offering new challenges. Eirik told Localfolk that his short-term aspiration is to tackle the challenges in the best way that he can, to help the company continue to move in a positive direction.

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When it comes to photography, Eirik finds inspiration in movies and storytelling. “My interest in photography goes hand in hand with my love and passion for movies. I have always paid extra attention to the visuals, and how it can tell a story on its own. In many ways, a movie is a collection of still photos.” Eirik therefore strives to take photos that tell a story, and admires cinematographers such as Roger Deakins, Vittorio Storaro, Freddie Young, and Robert Elswit.

“I want to show a different perspective to something people see every day”

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Back in 2014, he purchased his first Fujifilm camera and has stuck with the brand ever since. Today he uses the Fujifilm X-T4. He prefers prime lenses over zoom lenses, and many of his photos are shot with telephoto lenses. “I want to show a different perspective to something people see every day, and the lens and focal length that can achieve that is my favourite lens.” That said, if he had to pick only one, it would be a 35mm.

Photography is mostly a hobby for Eirik, so he only accepts projects that really interest him. He has worked with Dale of Norway on a few occasions, and has prints and postcards on sale at Heim, an independent store located on Bryggen in Bergen. If he had to choose one genre to do professionally, it would be documentary photography, but for now he enjoys just bringing his camera around and documenting whatever he finds interesting.

One of Eirik’s dreams is to take a few months off work and travel all over Japan. “It’s a country that has a very interesting mix of the historical and traditional, and the very modern and innovative.” He would particularly love to photograph a geisha and experience autumn in Kyoto. As for the most beautiful image he’s ever captured, Eirik recalls a hike to Bakkanosi in 2019. “It’s not only special because of the view, but because of the memories from the trip.”

Eirik’s message to aspiring photographers is to take as many photos as possible with whatever camera they have available. He says you can take great photos with today’s phone cameras, the most important is to have fun and do it for yourself. “If you’re having fun doing it, I firmly believe you can see it in the photos.” Another tip is to do some street photography from time to time, since it’s a great way to test your boundaries.

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“I think photography or anything creative should be all about exploring your comfort zone. It’s a cliché for a reason, but you don’t develop in your comfort zone.” When asked what he loves about Bergen, Eirik responded “I love how accessible everything is, and especially the mountains.” He went on to say that he loves the rain and varying weather conditions, although he wishes it could be more predictable… but then again, that’s maybe what makes it interesting. Since Eirik likes to show things from different perspectives, he likes to capture Bergen in all types of weather - his favourites are light rain, fog, and snow.

Instagram / @eirikbjo

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Ruben Soltvedt A photographer and videographer living on the west coast of Norway, Ruben creates tailored content for a variety of clients. When he is not flying drones or editing photos, he may be found exploring the country with his three boys. Images / Ruben Soltvedt Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager Localfolk Magazine

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uben was born in Bergen and now lives in a village called Frekhaug in Alver, a cozy community just outside the city. In between, he has spent some years in Trondheim and England. He currently works in the North Sea, but runs his own company as well, which offers video and photography services. Ruben’s interest in photography started in 2014, when he lost his job during the ‘oil-crack’. His goal at the moment is to be selfreliant and quit the North Sea job. When asked what a typical workday looks like, Ruben responded that no two days are the same, but he may be flying drones after cars or taking handheld commercial jobs for other companies. He went on to say that there is a lot of editing involved in this kind of work, so some days are spent in front

of the computer. Ruben also shared that taking photos of his three boys is what he finds most rewarding about photography, they go on lots of trips and explore the country together. Most of Ruben’s photos are shot with the Canon EOS R5 camera, paired with the Canon RF 28-70mm F2 lens. This is his favourite lens because it’s so versatile, and the images look as if they were shot with a prime lens. He edits his photos in Lightroom, either with presets or completely manually, and uses different kinds of presets depending on the mood and light. If Ruben could photograph any place in the world, he would choose Machu Picchu in Peru, Easter Island off the coast of Chile, and the Dolomites in Italy. “Those places hold some of

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“It was my stepping stone and a huge confidence boost for me to continue my photography game.”

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our most ancient and important heritage, and the Dolomites are really fierce looking and wild, with its peaks and blue lakes.” In Bergen, Ruben enjoys photographing Bryggen, Ulriken, and Fløyen. “There are always new angles and structures to play with, and the view from Ulriken is pretty nice too.” Ruben finds inspiration from other photographers and says that the moment he saw Chris Burkard’s photos, he knew he wanted to do the same. He went on to tell about the first time he was booked for a wedding which was far outside his comfort zone, but a great learning process too. Now that he has photographed many more weddings, Ruben is far more comfortable. Through that experience, he learned that

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people not only respect that he is there doing his job, but also love having their picture taken. The most beautiful image that Ruben has ever captured is his pulpit rock photo. “My friend is on the edge and the whole thing looks so crazy big.” He shared with Localfolk that this was the first photo that Adobe Lightroom reached out about and asked him to present. “It was my stepping stone and a huge confidence boost for me to continue my photography game.” Ruben’s most exciting project thus far was documenting the Myklebust Viking Ship at its virgin voyage on the fjord for Sagastad, Visit Nordfjord, and Fjord Norway. rubensoltvedt.com Instagram / @rubensoltvedt 240

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Hanne Ø. Trettsveen Images / Hanne Ø. Trettsveen Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

Born in Hamar and raised in Bergen, Hanne is an aspiring photographer with a passion for nature. She currently works as an occupational therapist, and hopes to use nature photography as a form of therapy in the future. Localfolk Magazine

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anne’s interest in photography started when she was 14 years old. She remembers getting her first camera and wanting to capture everything so she could look back at it when she got old. “It has always been important for me to save every moment and make it last forever.” Over the years, Hanne has discovered a passion for nature photography in particular. Capturing photos outdoors gives her a lot of joy, and it feels like an adventure every time she is somewhere new with her camera. What Hanne loves most about Bergen is its proximity to mountains and other nature experiences. Mount Ulriken has been her favourite place to hike and photograph for a long time, but after moving to Osterøy

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last year, she has found many new places to explore with her camera there. When it comes to seasons, Hanne loves the different moods and expressions that each season brings, especially the crisp feeling of winter and the vibrant autumn colours. For someone who has never been to Bergen before, Hanne says not to expect the best weather, but to take it as a bonus if the sun turns up. “When it’s not raining and the sun decides to show up, it feels like everyone is out and enjoying the town, and that’s lovely.” Her recommendation for tourists is to enjoy the beautiful town, old houses, nice people, good food, and lovely hikes with a great view. And to bring good clothes and a camera, of course.

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Having recently finished her degree in occupational therapy, Hanne now works with individuals with developmental disabilities in shared housing. In the future, she hopes to combine her passion for photography and nature with her current job - “to use photography and nature as some sort of therapy.” She believes that the opportunity to be creative provides a sense of achievement, and the details that become visible through the camera help people appreciate nature even more. “The only thing I know today, is that I want to work with photography in the future.” Hanne has learned everything she knows about

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photography from YouTube and Instagram, and from the many hours she has spent taking photos. Her advice to other aspiring photographers is to find your own style, take photos of things that interest you, use the internet for what it’s worth, and find friends that love photography as well. “There is much inspiration and motivation to find when you share and develop a passion together with others.” In terms of camera gear and editing programs, Hanne switched from Nikon to Fujifilm three years ago and is very happy with the Fujifilm system. She shoots with the Fujifilm x-t2 camera house and uses three different lenses, though her favourite

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“The only thing I know today, is that I want to work with photography in the future.”

is the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR. She uses Adobe Lightroom to edit, namely to give her photos a lift and improve the colours, but thinks it’s important not to change too much about the image. When asked to share the most beautiful image she’s ever captured, Hanne recalls a photo of a lion that she took while volunteering in Zimbabwe in 2014. “I will never forget that trip and experience, and that is why this picture is so special to me.” As for her photography travel bucket list, Hanne has her sights set on Iceland, the Scottish Highlands, and the Dolomites. And she wouldn’t mind another trip to Lofoten either.

Instagram / @hannefoto

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Stian Van Der Meeren

Images / Stian van der Meeren Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

Born and raised on Norway’s spectacular west coast, Stian is a self-taught photographer with a passion for capturing real moments at weddings. He aspires to make wedding photography his full-time job, and plans to pursue other creative outlets as well, namely woodworking. 252

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Stian’s interest in photography sparked in 2009, but he only got serious about it in 2018. Back then, he would borrow his brother’s camera and take photos in the garden. Today, he has his own equipment and focuses mainly on wedding photography. “I’m a big fan of weddings, true love, and romance.” Stian finds weddings beautiful and unique, and says that being a wedding photographer is a careful balance between making an impact and not being too much. Currently, Stian works full-time in retail at Hans H. and has his wedding photography business on the side. His aspiration for the future is to work for himself as a full-time wedding photographer, with his hobby as a woodworker on the side. “I love to be creative and to design, so I have some big hopes for my new baby, ‘Born in Bergen’.” This project will feature designs by Stian, made from both woodworking and painting. When asked about a time when he felt most outside his comfort zone, Stian shared the story of his first full-day wedding. Since he didn’t have any prior

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experience, he was so nervous that he threw up a few hours before the wedding. At the same time, he realized that wedding photography was something he really liked and reassured himself that he had it under control. After all, he was used to working with people and felt steady with his camera. “Spoiler alert, it was a huge success! And this was just the start of what would become my very own business.” This experience taught Stian that no matter what, you just. have to go for what you want, even though it may seem scary. “Be true to yourself, and that way you can become the greatest version of yourself.” He says he never would have become a wedding photographer if he hadn’t taken that giant leap. His advice to aspiring photographers is to go for it. “You will absolutely succeed if you have a passion for what you do, I know this because I have!” In terms of photo gear, Stian currently uses the Sony A7R III with 4 different lenses, though the Sigma Art 55mm 1.4 lens is his absolute favourite. The Sony camera creates images that are both big and sharp, perfect for photos and posters to hang on the wall. The 55mm lens creates the most beautiful bokeh effect, gives sharp and perfect focus on images, and has a good range. He uses this combination in every wedding - in the church and for the couple photos.

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Out of all the places to photograph in Bergen, the areas around Sandviken and Bryggen are two of Stian’s favourites. “There are so many beautiful alleyways and old houses, and they look so colourful and inspirational.” For hiking, he recommends Mt. Fløyen or Mt. Ulriken for stunning views and photos. His favourite season to photograph is the fall, because he loves all the leaves on the ground, the explosion of colours, and the beautiful light. If Stian could photograph any place of his choice, it would be the Italian Dolomites and the South Tyrol area of Italy. “The raw and stunning landscape there has fascinated me for quite a few years now.” As for where he finds his inspiration, Stian says that many people have inspired him as a photographer. He really admires Igor Bulgak’s work as a wedding photographer, and says that his girlfriend Thea inspires him every day. The most beautiful image that he has ever captured is one he calls the ‘Highland Cow Family’. Stian shared with Localfolk that he loves how curious the baby looks, how the mom takes such good care of it, and that the father is standing guard. “I couldn’t have asked for a more spontaneous family photo, it fills me with love and a good smile every time I see it.” stianvandermeeren.com Instagram / @stian.van.der.meeren

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Thea Brønlund

Images / Thea Brønlund Words / Julia Elizabeth Yager

A wedding photographer and cinematographer based in Bergen, Thea seeks to capture unrefined love and nature in different shapes and forms. Her recipe for success is to continue doing what makes her happy every day.

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orn on a small island called Askøy, just outside of Bergen, Thea recently returned to her birthplace after nine years abroad. “It definitely felt like the right move during such a challenging time for the world.” She currently juggles many things - namely wedding photography, wildlife and nature photography, filmmaking, and working as a FinTech Advisor - and feels fortunate to be able to combine her passions. When Thea was volunteering in Zimbabwe at the age of 19, she fell in love with wildlife conservation and wanted to capture it all with her camera, which is how her interest in photography started. “Every moment is unexpected and one has to act quickly, otherwise the moment is missed.” To this day, wildlife photography is one of the things that gives Thea the most joy. In later years, she has taken an interest in the human element of photography as well, and enjoys capturing powerful love stories.

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Another memory that Thea shared from Zimbabwe is one about helping deliver a baby in a small hospital with no doctors. She remembers feeling completely bare and helpless, and held her breath while the events unfolded. Despite the mother’s lack of support from family and Thea’s lack of medical training, she’ll never forget the unrefined love between a mother and her child that followed, and the immense gratitude for support in a vulnerable moment.

Thea’s workday is never truly the same and may include exciting adventures, documenting events, or desk work. She always finds herself doing creative projects and feels lucky to be able to collaborate with companies in the travel industry, as this type of work feeds her adventurous spirit and allows her to work alongside her partner in crime, Stian. In addition to capturing the details and poetry of people and places through her lens, Thea is also passionate about the process of filmmaking.

“Unrefined love is what I seek to capture today. Truth is our most important story.”

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that she wasn’t really sure she’d be able to pull off, and it turned out better than she could have imagined. She not only loved the experience, but also what the film represented for the couple who could now look back on their day in a more dynamic way than photography could ever capture. “Film is art, it’s an expression of the subject and the producer, and as such, every piece is different.” The Canon 5D Mark IV is Thea’s go-to camera, and she swears by her Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 lens when capturing portraits. She edits all her photos in Lightroom and likes to keep things natural. Thea believes that imperfections are beautiful, and she wants to celebrate things as they are. Her message to aspiring photographers is to find your own voice. “Remember that photography is an art, and that means that it’s a constant learning process.” Thea loves to romanticize Norway, and Bergen is no exception. She speaks of the humble wood houses, the seven mountains positioned close to the fjord, and the large selection of seafood. The unpredictable weather teaches you to adapt to various climates, and no two seasons are the same. “Bergen offers choice, a different narrative and story for every season.” Her new favourite place to photograph is a mountain called Rundemanen, especially when the colours of the landscape change to orange and burning reds. When asked to share her greatest inspiration, Thea mentions wildlife photographer David Lloyd. She admires his respect for pictures as they are, and calls his photography classic, real, and thought-provoking. In addition, she draws inspiration from the people closest to her as well as those she meets along the way, and is incredibly inspired by dramatic light. Her most beautiful images, Thea told Localfolk, are the ones that were not planned. theabronlund.com Instagram / @theabronlund

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