This is the first time Kåfjord municipality has created an art project in a public space. The new health and care centre in Kåfjord will be decorated with permanent works created for the new building. Two artists have taken on the task, and the starting point will be the location, culture, nature, climate and the seasons.
An art committee with representatives from the municipality, the health and care centre and the Centre for Northern Peoples will ensure the implementation and anchoring of art in the new health and care centre. The project has received support from KORO, Art in Public Space. Art consultant Irene Rasmussen is leading the project. She says that creating engagement and ownership of art through participation and interaction is an important goal of the project.
- The local community and users must be involved in the project. "Art should be for the people, and it's important that the people feel ownership of the art. The works will be customised to the location, the culture, the climate and the seasons," says project manager Irene Rasmussen.
Two artists have been commissioned to decorate the new health and care centre in Birtavarre in Kåfjord.
Captures light and colour
Artist Monika L. Edmondson from Gällevarre, Sweden, has participated in exhibitions around the world and has completed several major commissions in public spaces using glass as her primary material. In the outdoor area, her glass shapes are conceived as light fittings that will be customised for the area.
Sami craft traditions and culture have been the starting point for several of Edmondson's works. She recently visited Kåfjord to familiarise herself with the area, the culture and the people.
- "I'm proud to be part of this incredibly exciting project. The shapes and colours of the art I've made in the past are the starting point for the work I'm starting now," says Edmondson.
Edmondson's glass art will capture the moods and expressions of the seasons. In the darkness, they will be experienced as glowing shapes where the shade of colour will create patterns in the snow. When the sun and summer return, the shapes can be experienced as flower crowns in the landscape.
- "This area has a long tradition of craftsmanship. I want to look at the ornamentation, the culture, the traditions and the colours by meeting those who have worked here before, as well as the residents and users of the centre," says Edmondson.
New stories
Visual artist Kristin Tårnes will be responsible for some of the art that will be created for the centre's interior. The idea is to create a film and photo series about various places that are significant to the inhabitants of Kåfjord. Through dialogue with people, she wants to elicit facts and knowledge that can lead to new stories.
- "The strength of Kåfjord municipality's uniqueness and diversity as a multicultural society provides many opportunities for art," says Irene Rasmussen.
More about the artists:
Monica L Edmondson - Winter people sensitive to glass, samer.se
Röhsska - Monica L Edmondson, Murrini à la Gávlos, Glass Academy
One hundred different vessels - and a new book, NSD