Review of the exhibition Between Berlin and New York at Wang Kunsthandel,
Exhibiton November–December 1985and the *Norwegian Contemporary Art Calendar 1986
Translated from the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet's text into English.
Dagbladet (national newspaper)
21.11.1985
By Inger Bentzrud
GREETINGS FROM THE BIG CITIES
To call a Norwegian contemporary art calendar "Between Berlin and New York" may sound like a paradox. But the fact is that much of the new Norwegian art today is literally floating—by air freight—between the metropolises and Norway.Now they are gathered in Oslo, a group of younger Norwegian artists who have chosen to settle abroad. At Wang Kunsthandel, works from the Contemporary Art Calendar as well as other recent pieces are on display. The first thing that hits your eye as you enter is a gigantic Greetings from New York. Upstairs you encounter the Berlin Wall, with all its horror and mystique.
Asphalt
Olav Christopher Jenssen, Per Morten Karlsen, Gabrielle Kielland, Kjell Erik Killi Olsen, Dagfinn Knudsen, Svein Mamen, Therese Nortvedt, Magne Rygh, Dag Thoresen, Hilde Vemren, Ståle Vold, Jan Erik Willgohs, and Arnvid Aakre all share in common that they draw their inspiration more from the vibrant life of the asphalt than from the Norwegian mountains and valleys.Diversity
New York and West Berlin are today two central hubs for innovative art. Young artists are drawn there because of the diversity of galleries or to work in international artist collectives. For many, this has become more important than absorbing impressions from art history.Paradoxically, most of them claim that they seek out the big cities to find peace to work. That they do not waste their time in cafés can be confirmed with your own eyes, either in the art calendar or right now at Wang in Oslo.
