The exhibition, Discords: Norwegian Architecture 1945–65 at The National Museum, open 14. November–03. April 2011 throws light on neglected aspects of post-war modernism in Norwegian architecture, adding detail to earlier accounts.
It concentrates on the growth of discord among competing architectural ideologies among different generations and circles, and on the influences that came from international developments. Discords can be seen in particular in the ways architecture responded to history, the landscape and experiments with materials and space. Central architects include Magnus Poulsson, Knut Knutsen, Erling Viksjø, Sverre Fehn, Geir Grung and Christian Norberg-Schulz. The exhibition is based on the museum’s collection of architects’ archives, and is a collaboration with the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the University of Oslo.
Curator: Bente Solbakken
The National Museum – Architecture opened in 2008. The main building, designed by Christian Heinrich Grosch (1801–1865), was completed in 1830 as a division office for Norges Bank. It was adapted and extended by Sverre Fehn (1924–2009), who was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1997.
The building is a juxtaposition of classicism and modernist architecture – an encounter between Grosch and Fehn, Norway’s most important architects of the 19th and 20th centuries respectively. The museum’s temporary exhibitions explore both contemporary architecture and historical themes. The architecture collection includes drawings and photographic material, in addition to models and other objects.
Image: Knut Knutsen, Holmen kirke, Asker (1958-65). Photo: Teigen / Nasjonalmuseet
The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design P.O. Box 7014 St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo Norway Tel.: (+47) 21 98 20 00 Fax: (+47) 21 98 20 93 Email: [email protected]
www.nasjonalmuseet.no