Art and Architecture Highlights on the Longest Day of the Year
We gained insight into Oslo’s vibrant art scene with visits to Kunstnernes Hus and Kunsthall Oslo, where the respective directors guided us through a range of exhibitions and open studios.
Oslo is also known for its outstanding culinary scene, and thanks to our local network, we had the pleasure of dining at two exceptional restaurants specially selected for us.
On Sunday morning, we set off toward Jevnaker, where we spent the day at the renowned Kistefos Museum. Kistefos was established 130 years ago as a pulp mill and lies one hour north of Oslo. In the 1950s, the factory was closed but preserved as a monument. It was later transformed into an art museum and sculpture park by art collector Christen Sveaas, the grandson of the company’s founder. In 2019, the extension building known as The Twist, an architectural masterpiece designed by the renowned Danish architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), was opened and has since attracted attention from the international art and architecture community. Nestled in a beautiful river landscape, Kistefos features sculptures designed specifically for the site by artists such as Tony Cragg, Jeppe Hein, and Marc Quinn. In addition to exploring the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, we also took an in-depth look at the architecture.
We spent our final night at a historic Norwegian country house situated right by the lake, where we will enjoyed delicacies sourced from the hotel’s own garden and local producers, and watched the sun set over the lake — a calm and striking scene that subtly echoed the mood of Munch’s The Scream.
Art and Architecture Highlights on Midsummer Night