Scan Magazine | Culture Profile | Akershus Kunstsenter
Left and top right: Architects Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter have drawn the brand-new Akershus Kunstsenter in Lillestrøm. Right: Rikke Komissar, director of Akershus Kunstsenter, believes that the art centre should act as a commentary on the present time. Photo: Akershus Kunstsenter
Art centre in Lillestrøm opens spectacular building in 2020 With a strong position on Norway’s art scene, Akershus Kunstsenter (Akershus Art Centre) will be opening the doors to its brand new site in the cultural quarter of Lillestrøm in 2020.
zakhstan), Richard Alexandersson (Sweden), Lene Baadsvig Ørmen (Norway) and Fransisco Diaz (Argentina) to name a few.
By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter
Its very first exhibition will be Jeg kler meg / ergo er jeg? (I dress / therefore I am?), which through five projects reflects on identity, origins, clothing and the symbols of textiles. Running until 4 February, it will be followed by two separate exhibitions by Richard Alexandersson and Ayatgali Tuleubek.
A renowned institution for young contemporary art of both national and international origin, the art centre has a strong position with its projects, featuring important social commentary. The new building is drawn by architects Haugen/Zohar, who have won several awards including AR Award for Emerging Architecture in 2009 and Arkitekturprisen (the Architecture Prize) in 2017. The brand-new hub will be located in an area combining new architecture with older houses. Spanning 230 square metres for the exhibition space alone, the building will also feature an auditorium and a workshop room – in addition to a café, in the hope of retaining visitors. 30 | Issue 108 | January 2018
A big cultural focus Lillestrøm is currently building what is referred to as ‘the city of the future’, which has a large focus on culture. Located just one train stop from Oslo and a mere ten-minute train journey from Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, you might say that the art centre is located halfway between Oslo and the world. The initiative to build the new art centre has been run by Akershus county council and Skedsmo Municipality, who are working with the art centre to create a spectacular building.
An exciting year ahead The line-up for the art centre in 2018 includes Clemens von Wedemeyer (Germany), Maiken Stene (Norway), Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen (Denmark), Marit Roland (Norway), Ayatgali Tuleubek (Ka-
“The art centre should be a relevant place for exhibitions, a place that comments and acts in the present time,” says Rikke Komissar, director of Akershus Kunstsenter. “Art is part of the world and says a lot about the present time, and that should be reflected within our programme.” Web: www.akershuskunstsenter.no Facebook: akershuskunstsenter Instagram: @akershuskunstsenter