Norway Day
Festival


May 1 & 2, 2010

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Art Exhibit

This year’s art displays at Norway Day embody the very essence of cultural exchange between our two countries.  The exhibits reflect the truly global nature of today’s society by encompassing multiple permutations of the process of gathering inspiration from one culture, interpreting, and sharing with another. 

We have: an art project created in Norway by local Norwegian artists, an art project created in the Bay Area by visiting Norwegian artists, and two projects created by local Bay Area artists inspired by their travels to Norway.  

Don't miss the following innovative and fresh art projects that will be prominently displayed at the festival this year: 

Other Rhythms – an art project by Kristine Maudal and Kjetil Tefke: 

This art project unites two different forms of art to give the audience an experience beyond that of a mere observer.  By combining contemporary forms of expression with the more traditional, this project strives to make the art experience more interactive and engaging to the audience and thus imparting a positive and powerful experience. 

Kristine Maudal is an artist that uses painting on canvas as her primary expression.  Over the last few years, she has worked in Norway, Spain, and the United States on a project named Found Rhythm – a project that quite simply aims to “paint music”.  In parallel she is working with installations and video art, most recently in conjunction with a project in Barcelona, Spain. 

Kjetil Tefke is a professional dancer, actor, musician, photographer, in both film and pictures.  Kjetil is one of Norway’s premier dancers and has had prominent roles in a series of significant performances.  In 2007 he was the host of “Dansefeber," the Norwegian version of “So You Think You Can Dance.” 

In addition to a background from dance, both artists also have a common interest in skiing and winter sports.  The Other Rhytms project brings together the Found Rhytms project and the two artists’ common interests, and will be presented as an exhibit incorporating paintings and a video installation where “play on skis” in Norwegian mountains will be combined with rhythm and artistic expression. 

Please see the following link for more information about Kristine Maudal: 
http://www.kristinemaudal.com/ 

Norwegian Instant Art – an art project by Pippip Ferner, Kristine Romberg, Ingrid A. Tronstad, and Kristine Maudal:

On a balmy “Indian Summer Day” at the beginning of November 2009, four Norwegian artists arrived in San Francisco from Norway for an intensive two-week stay with the objective of gathering inspiration and expressing their interpretation of the San Francisco Bay Area as seen through Norwegian artists’ eyes. 

The project was about challenge –  to seek inspiring new input by being exposed to stimuli outside the safe surroundings of their studio in Norway.  They wanted to examine if and how, their artistic expressions would be influenced by working in an exciting unknown environment with a self-imposed challenge of creating instant results within a limited two-week timeframe. 

During the course of ten days, the artists absorbed the area and instantly transformed their impressions into art. 

The work was presented at an event on November 12, 2009 hosted by the Norwegian Consul.

The Norwegian Instant Art exhibit at Norway Day offers a repeat performance, allowing a wider audience to experience the San Francisco Bay Area as interpreted through the eyes of these four contemporary Norwegian artists. 

Please see the following link for more information about the Norwegian Instant Art Project: http://nia2009.wordpress.com/ 

COLORS COLORS and MORE COLORS – an art exhibit by Ellen Faris:

Experience both winter and summer Norway along with colorful abstracts in this exhibit of vivid works by Ellen Haakensen Faris. The exhibit features original paintings and limited edition prints - this is the first time Ellen is making prints available for purchase.  

Ellen is not new to the Festival...this is the third year it is hosting an exhibit of her work.  Ellen also served as creative director for the festival. She designed the festival logo as well as many of the backdrops, structures, signage you see today.  Ellen was the creative force that brought the festival's children's village, Kardemomme By, to life. 

Ellen has been working as a graphic designer for more than 25 years. She has taken her love for design and combined it with her passion for color to create her energetic art pieces. 

Come and enjoy the wide spectrum of colors in Ellen´s art! Please see the following link for more information about Ellen Faris: 
http://web.mac.com/designplus1/painting_portfolio/painting_portfolio.html 

Svalbard Pub – an art exhibit by Helene Sobol:

Another Norway Day veteran, Helene Sobol, will be participating again this year, creating the mood and theme for the festival Pub by exhibiting her photographic art created in conjunction with her Arctic Exhibition to Svalbard. 

Please see the following links for more information about Helene Sobol and the Svalbard photography: 
http://www.HeleneSobol.com or view The Arctic 2009 exhibit. 
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