Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Highlights from Norway’s Art Scene
Hå gamle prestegard – where contemporary art meets ancient history Hå gamle prestegard offers a truly authentic experience of local history and culture, having been an established cultural centre for several hundred years. Today, it presents everything from contemporary art exhibitions to ancient burial sites, as well as Stone Age settlements dating back over 8,000 years.
Beili Liu’s Where Winds are Gaining Speed. Photo: Hå gamle prestegard, image courtesy of the artist.
By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Hå gamle prestegard
Located in the southern coastal region of Jæren, an area renowned for its links to age-old civilisations, Hå gamle prestegard prides itself on its wide range of exhibitions displayed in elegant, traditional buildings. A key component is the diversity of artists, both local and international, spanning several generations in what is a truly unique display of cultural heritage amidst the tranquil settings of the Prestegard, which has been operational since 1637. View across the lighthouse. Photo Elizabeth Croft.
The Prestegard has been a fully fledged art gallery since 1983, and now hosts cultural exhibitions and events throughout the year. This summer there are three international exhibitions showing contemporary art. One is IKON – Religion in Russian Contemporary Art, showcasing a group of Russian artists; another is the installation Where Winds Are Gaining Speed by American-Chinese artist Beili Liu, which expresses her impression of the nature in the area; and finally, Danish Julie Nord’s exhibition Domestic Disturbances. In the past, the Prestegard has featured an exhibition on the trade and artefacts exchanged between Jæren and Russia, 20 | Issue 90 | July 2016
from the Viking Age through to the Oil Age, as well as freshwater pearls, turf harvesting, toys and t-shirt exhibitions. Another appealing yet unorthodox feature is the nearby lighthouse, Obrestad Fyr. In addition to the permanent lighthouse museum, this summer brings the Bunker of Mysteries with Russian artist Andriy Bazyuta as well as Galina Manikova’s exhibition Frozen Music. Those wishing to learn more about the area’s history can head to the beach, just a stone’s throw away, where one can explore burial sites dating back to 500 AD. Glass pearls and weapons have been found here in the past, in what is considered to be one of Scandinavia’s finest burials.
Kate Moss, Sacred Figures by Olga Tobreluts, from the exhibition IKON – Religion in Russian Contemporary Art. Photo: Hå gamle prestegard, image courtesy of the artist.
Overnight stays are also on offer at Obrestad Fyr, with two apartments and a guest house available for booking, making it an ideal option for those wanting to extensively explore the area and its ever-changing natural beauty. Elisabeth Soyland, marketing consultant at Hå gamle prestegard, believes the variety of art and culture on offer is the key to attracting upwards of 50,000 visitors a year. “What is so special about us is the wide scope of art we have – from both young and old generations of modern art. There is always something new and fresh for visitors to enjoy.”
For more information, please visit: www.hagamleprestegard.no
Momoyo Torimitsu exhibition
