Public Art in Trondheim

It is almost unknown that Sandefjord is the city in Norway with the most sculptures per inhabitant in relation to area. Oslo is probably not far behind, but now Trondheim is sailing up as a sculpture and art city. The recently published book "Public Art in Trondheim" helps to show us the way in this exciting landscape.

Art historian Gustav Svihus Borgersen is the author of this very good handbook in sculpture and the world of art in Stiftsstaden. The book, so to speak, is flooded with information and pictures about current works of art that everyone is welcome to both see and get acquainted with. This is a culture of both class and rank, and if you use the book actively, there are almost no limits to what you can do. gain insight into along the way. It enriches life, simply.

Sometimes I have taken the airport bus from Værnes to Nidaros Cathedral and got off at the stop right on the other side of the big church. In all kinds of weather, I have looked over towards this national shrine and in clear moments I have sharpened my eyes and fixed my gaze on a beautiful statue of King Haakon VII. Generous and tight in a full general uniform, he stands there on a beautiful shelf and looks over Prinsens gate further inwards towards Kalvskinnet. With a small crack in one leg, it is as if he wants to join the trip inwards towards Ilen church to look at two other works of art found here, namely the statue of Cissi Klein and the cultural park named after Julius Paltiel - Julius Paltiel's place.

The statue of King Haakon VII is made by Stinius Fredriksen and if you have not been aware of it before reading this, you must look. The "art guide" is full of information with maps on how to find it - and not least with very useful information about the artwork itself.

The same applies to the statue of Cissi Klein who has her statue at Museumsplass on Kalvskinnet. The short version of Cissi is that she, because she was a Jew, was arrested by the State Police on November 25, 1942 and placed under house arrest. On 24 February 1943 she was deported by the ship MS "Gotenland" from Oslo to Szczecin - and on by train to Auschwitz-Birkenau where she was killed immediately after arrival on 3 March 1943. - What is remarkable about the statue is that she is sitting on a bench with a school bag in front of him. Her legs do not reach the ground. This detail - which many overlook - tells that she did not manage to start life until the Nazi iron heel intervened and destroyed her in the "night and fog" in the Polish landscape. There she rests - and peace over her memory. 

It was a little different with Julies Paltiel. He was also a Jew, but unlike most Jews who were deported from Norway to German-occupied Poland, he survived and returned to Trondheim after the war and told about the atrocities he and his city children were subjected to. - The place that bears his name is intended as a utility and activity park. In the middle of the park there is a round table in all the colors of the rainbow. Amont other things, it also has a unifying effect; just as Paltiel acted in the fight against anti-Semitism and hatred.

This book contains pictures and explanations of 178 works of art. It begins with the Tordenskiold Monument and includes most of what Trondheim has to offer of famous - and some unknown - people - Olav Tryggvason, Thomas Angel, Hjalmar Andersen and Arve Tellefsen and others. They are all depicted and explained in this very practical book that it is wise to have in yur inner pocket when visiting Trondheim. Then you get more out of it all - and if you use the book correctly, it makes sense in every step you take.

These are good things. The "art guide" to outdoor art is thus a very good companion whether you are in Prinsens gate, in Erling Skakkes gate or in som earea close to the city center in Trondheim. Go for the book's acccompanying map. Then you will find "everything".

The only objection I have is that this book should have come a long, long time ago. Trondheim and art have a lot to tell, and "Kunstguiden" - published by Museumsforlaget - shows that the way forward in a both unknown and familiar landscape. But if you get lost, it does no wordly thing. Then the experiences are closer than you think - and maybe you stumble upon something completely new.

This book gets my warmest recommendation.

 

Jørn-Kr. Jørgensen