The National Galleries, Oslo, Norway

The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design

Assume Vivid Astro Focus VIII
 

    Crushed Cigarette Packs, Ceiling Cocktail, Garden X, 2004–2009, installation

This was the first room I entered at the The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.  The lighting changed dramatically making it hard to view the floor the ceiling collage.  The scale of the work, being that of an entire room, was impressive, but I do not feel I could take in and appreciate it in it entirety due to the harsh lighting conditions.

Anish Kapoor

                     When I am Pregnant, 1992–1998, sculpture

My first reaction to 'When I am Pregnant' was indifference.  However, on second viewing I am amazed at the forms perfect shape.  The smooth transition from flat wall to delicate bulge makes me ask 'how is it so perfect?'

Jon Gundersen

assume vivid astro focus VIII: «Crushed Cigarette Packs, Ceiling Cocktail, Garden X», 2004–2009, installation

Louise Bourgeois: «CELL VIII», 1998. Metal, tapestry, fabric, marble and steel. 274,3 x 335,2 x 254 cm. Photo: Peter Bellamy, courtesy Cheim & Read, New York

Else Marie Hagen: «Cover», 2010, installation

William Kentridge: «History of the Main Complaint», 1996, video projection, 5:38 min

Per Maning: «To Oscar», 1996, video projection, loop

Maria Serebriakova: «Untitled»

Christian Boltanski: «Shadow Theatre», 1984, installation

Ilya Kabakov: «The Garbage Man (The Man Who Never Threw Anything Away)», 1988–1995

Bjarne Melgaard: «New love, old paint … (Dedicated to Margaux Hemingway) Make me clean again: Some pain poems, the universe according to Paul Gaugin, sex in the artworld and one week of complete misery…», 1996–1997, installation

Per Barclay: «Untitled», 1993, installation

Anish Kapoor: «When I am Pregnant», 1992–1998, sculpture

                      Vann på vei mot havet, 2007, installation

'Vann på vei mot havet' is a cleverly build water fountain installation.  The careful placement of each steel teapot, balanced down a ladder, gives a soothing trickling sound to go alongside its novel appearance.

William Kentridge

   Felix i eksil, 1994, 9:00 min

Willian Kentridge's film, created sketch by sketch caught my attention for quite some time.  The fluid change between frames left me in awe and the interesting, contemporary storyline kept me gripped.

The National Gallery of Norway

Edvard Munch

                      The Scream, 1893, oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard


In great ignorance, I did not realise that Edvard Munch was Norwegian, or that the famous 'The Scream' painting was located in Oslo.  So, to my surprise and joy, there it was, in The National Gallery of Norway.  Although smaller in real life than I had expected, it was still as impressive, if not more so, in person.

Designmuseum Danmark, Copenhagen, Denmark

 Lady Sings the Blues by Ane Henriksen

   A Swaddling Room, 2011, photographic print

                      Husalter, 2011

   

    Bottom Line, silk, linen, weave

    Detail

Ane Henriksen created a very intimate exhibition and used a lot of varying media to create her work.  Large scale, macro photographs of the body, observational sketches and large weavings were among the work on display.  The choice of the human body for a subject is one I have explored myself, and has been done by many others in the past.  Henriksen achieved a new angle on this subject, literally.  The personal view of the body, as seen in 'Husalter' has a slight humour to it.  Although I was a little bit repulsed by the 'A Swaddling Room' prints, I can appreciate their scale and detail, as well as the fact they conjured such a strong response, even if it was a negative one.  However, for me the most astounding pieces were the textile weavings.  The scale, density, detail and achievement of drawing all filled me with admiration.