10_ScanMag_76_May_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 06/05/2015 18:18 Page 23
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Art in Norway
Tori Wrånes sculpture Fantasistormen was originally made for and placed on the roof of a kindergarden in Kristiansand in 2012, but taken down due to parental associations to a sniper. SKMU bought the sculpture and placed it in their Children’s Art Museum.
SKMU Sørlandets Kunstmuseum celebrates its 20th anniversary This summer you have the opportunity to indulge in Southern Norwegian idyll in more ways than just enjoying the lovely seaside. The regional art museum, SKMU Sørlandets Kunstmuseum, celebrates its 20th anniversary with an exciting list of exhibitions and events.
ceno will be on show. The latter, 14 Billions (Working Title), is a combination of science, art and architecture. “It is an interesting mix of local and international contemporary art,” Mortensen says.
By Helene Toftner
This summer will be one big party at the art museum, where they will showcase some of the best of regional and international contemporary art. Indulge in classics like Morning at Ny-Hellesund by Amaldus Nielsen, as well as Argentinian Tomás Saraceno’s giant model of a black widow spider web. With the rearrangement of the collection display and three exhibitions to open over the spring and summer months, visitors are in for a variety of treats. The biggest however is the Anniversary Exhibition, opening 18 June. “We have invited 33 artists from our region, several of whom work internationally. Spanning over several generations of artists using a multitude of artistic media, this will give the visitors an idea of the art scene here,” curator Karl Olav Segrov Mortensen says. The museum is located in the idyllic city of Kristiansand, a holiday hot-spot for Nor-
wegians during the summer months. Laidback summer days, white painted houses and fun spring to most people’s minds when talking about the region. “Many of the works in the collection illustrate the local identity, and also encourage discussions around characteristics and themes that are prevalent in the area,” Mortsensen says. “We want to expand people’s ideas about art and the region by putting specific art works in relation to a local context, showing art works that refer to specific historical incidents, like Olaf Isaachsen’s paintings after the town fire in Kristiansand in 1893, or art works that are connected to local debates about public art and town renewal.” While the focus remains on local artists and influences, the museum also takes great pride in its international exhibitions. In May, two exhibitions by Brazilian Tamar Guimãraes and Argentinean Tomás Sara-
Top Left Photo: Leif Gabrielsen Top Right Photo: Preben Holst Middle Right Photo: Bonniers Konsthall Bottom Right Photo: Stanley Haaland
For more information, please visit: www.skmu.no
Issue 76 | May 2015 | 23