Oslo's Basement

Oslo’s Basement is a model of Oslo, capital of Norway, east from the noted Opera House to an historic and relocated medieval church of the city’s western end.

Within the narrative of this clay model, buildings of cultural distinction compensate for the trauma of other ones involved in the 2011 terrorist event in Norway.

Oslo is presented as a dimensional map, set on topography of rhythmic void spaces that pose the idea of a basement, a discounted element in the psychology of modern urban form. Four buildings are represented, two favourites carefully laid on their side, and two damaged in the July 22nd, terrorist attack remain upright.

OSLO’S BASEMENT

2012-13

2.5m l x 40 cm h x 120 cm w

100” l x 16' h x 48" d

raw stoneware clay

With gratitude to Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHIO)

and assistance from

Knut Natvik in Keramikk, and

Jørn Mortensen, previously Dekan and Rektor

Photography by Neil Forrest