The newest sculpture park in the capital of Norway is the Ekeberg public park, where Edvard Munch famously got his inspiration for his painting “The Scream”.
The park is a mix of artists from classical masters, such as Rodin and Renoir, to more modern contemporary artists like Oslo-born sculptor Per Ung, all of whom are represented through figurative bronzes.
The Wall Street Journal has described The Ekeberg Park as “one of the most electrifying places to see new art”. This 26-hectare sculpture park, open 24 hours a day, is located on Ekeberg Hill. The park currently has 32 sculptures.
A strong contingent of female artists
A strong contingent of female artists is represented, too, including one of Jenny Holzer’s signature text-based pieces. A curious, phallic form by sculptor Sarah Lucas is a sculpture claimed to be on the park’s wishing list for a long time.
Meanwhile, pieces by Damien Hirst and the Norwegian artists Knut Steen and Hilde Mæhlum push the boundaries of traditional figuration.
Meditation of aluminum, light and color
Louise Bourguois’ work ‘The Couple’ is hanging between two giant pine trees and the serene aluminum figures seem bound to each other for eternity, while James Turell’s installation ‘Ekeberg Skyspace’ is a meditation of light and color in which time and space seem to disappear.
The pages of Diane Maclean’s gigantic steel “Open Book” reflect each viewer and the surroundings in a hallucinogenic fluidity, while Sarah Lee’s installation doubles as a birdhouse. Tony Oursler’s Klang (2013) is a site-specific video and sound based installation that is embedded in a small cave and traces the history of human communication, from ancient tunes to cell phones.
The Ekeberg Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway – An Honor to Women
The idea of Ekebergparken was conceived by Norwegian businessman, billionaire and art collector Christian Ringnes. The park was an idea that obsessed him for almost a decade. However, feminists did not like Ringnes’ idea of planning the park as a sort of “homage to women” and accused him of male chauvinism. Environmental activists, on the other hand, protested the felling of trees while others expressed their disappointment at a billionaire trying to write himself into history by creating competition for Oslo’s famous Vigeland Park.
A popular tourist attraction
Today, the park is a popular tourist attraction which allows visitors to discover these pieces and more as they explore the forest-lined paths, take in views of the Oslo Fjord, and even stand on the spot that inspired the landscape in Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’.
Yoy can watch more sculptures here.
Feature image (on top): Reflections by Guy Buseyne (born 1961)
The Ekeberg Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway – An Honor to Women, written by Tor Kjolberg