Project Artscape Nordland

  • 36 works of art
  • 35 artists
  • 34 municipalities

Artscape Nordland is an international collection of art mainly developed in the time period 1992-1998, with 2 additional sculptures in 2009 and 2010. The work began under the management of Nordland County Council, cooperating with the participating municipalities. The 35 works of art are located in the landscape in 33 municipalities in Nordland, as well as a sculpture in Troms. Equally many artists are liable for these works of art, originating from 18 different countries. The artists in Artscape Nordland have developed their work following a visit in the municipality they were sent to. Through the meeting that took place, when the artists familiarized themselves with the nature as well as the culture, he/she presented a sketch for a work placed at a certain location in the municipality. These meetings between the place and the artist form the foundation for the meeting all the visitors can participate in when they visit the works of art in this collection.

The basis for Artscape Nordland is the idea that a work of art, with its presence, creates its own place. The sculpture also makes its surroundings visible, so that the place gets a new dimension. The dialogue that happens between the work and the viewer will show different ways to understand or interpret art. Nordland is a diverse and long county, 560 km long – it stretches over an area of 40.000 km2. This means that approaching this collection of art is a long travel in actual space. However, it is also a long journey regarding the diversity of space where the works are located, as well as artistic expression. This diversity presents one of the ambitions in Artscape Nordland, the idea to create a collection that represents the variety within scultpure art from the 60s until present day.

Artscape Nordland is an international collection of art, which includes 36 works of art in 34 municipalities, with specifically invited artists from 18 countries.

The project started in 1992, and the first phase was completed in 1998. Since that, another sculpture was added in 2009, one in 2010, and the last one in 2015. 34 municipalities have received their own work of art, located out in the beautiful and diverse landscape. An art gallary free of walls and roof – and with an area of 40.000 square kilometres. The basis for Artscape Nordland is the idea that an art work, with its presence, creates its own place. The sculpture also makes its surroundings visible, so that the place gets a new dimension. The dialogue that happens between the work and the viewer will show different ways to understand or interpret art.

Prosject management:

  • Curator: Maaretta Jaukkuri
  • Project manager: Torill Ueland
  • Website editor and press contact: Kjell Gunnar Nilsen kjenil@nfk.no

Photos:

  • Vegar Moen
  • Werner Zellien
  • Trym Ivar Bergsmo
  • David Kinsella
  • Kristoffer Dolmen

Translation:

  • Jørgen Gaare
  • Marith Hope
  • Helge Jordheim
  • Nøste Kendzior
  • May Britt Stamsø

Artscape Nordland is completed by Nordland County Council together with the participant municipalities or volunteer groups.

The project was, in the project period 1992-1998, supported by:


Public funders:

  • The Norwegian Ministry of Culture
  • ​Nordic Council of Ministers
  • Arts Council Norway
  • District Council for North Norway

Private sponsors:

  • Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
  • Widerøe Airlines A/S
  • Storebrand
  • Ofoten og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab AS
  • Alcatel Kabel
  • Telenor