It is time to look back on what happened during the last year on contemporary art in the Stavanger region. I consider it a great art year, with many noteworthy happenings and exhibitions. All posts from 2011 are about what I find worth mentioning. But if I have to point out five that gave me the strongest impression, I'll choose these (in chronological order):
Elin Melberg: I wish I wish I wish in vain
After having seen the wonderful wish box in NYC, it was a treat to see it on home ground. Crowds of visitors lined up to get a glimpse of the inside. All had happy faces when they exited the box.
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/03/elin-melberg-and-frido-evers-at-pulse.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/04/elin-melberg-i-wish-i-wish-i-wish-in.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/04/elin-melberg-i-wish-i-wish-i-wish-in_29.html
Tou Camp
Tou Camp was a brave project of displaying the possibilities of the culture venue Tou Scene to the politicians and the public. During a month in June-July all of the former brewery was taken in use to show what a great possibility here is for artist studios, concert venues, exhibition halls, outdoor festivals. Up to now only part of the complex is used, while the rest of the buildings need serious rehabilitation. Tou Camp was a great success, with crowds of visitors, and probably worked as a catalysator to a political decition to support the development plans.
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/tou-camp.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/events-at-tou-camp.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/tou-camp-exhibition-opening.html
Nuart
Nuart secured its position as an internationally important festival of street art / urban art. Great top level artists left their marks in the large beer halls at Tou scene and in the streets of Stavanger. This year the six year history of Nuart was documented in a beautiful book, launched at the finissage of the festival.
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/nuart-2011.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/nuart2011-work-in-progress.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/nuart-2011-inside.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/escif-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/hyuro-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/phlegm-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/lucy-mclauchlan-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/vhils-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/tellas-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/herakut-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/roberto-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/herbert-baglione-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/dan-witz-at-nuart.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/david-choe-dvs1-at-nuart.html
R-open
R-open is a festival where artists in the county open up their studios to the public. More than 100 artists participated all over Rogaland, and lots of people visited them. In addition to the open studio days there was a program of artist talks, exhibition openings and an outdoor video art exhibition in the streets. A great happening that hopefully will continue as a biennal.
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/r-open-artist-talks.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/r-open-haugesund.html
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/r-open-in-sandnes.html
Jorunn Mæland: Frukter av skuronna
A wonderful debut of Jorunn Mæland, connecting fine art, farming tradition, love for nature and a creative eye for details and materials.
http://virtualwallworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/jorunn-mland-frukter-av-skuronna.html
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I could also have said something about the great new exhibition venues that opened in 2011, the other great female artists that exhibited in 2011, the very last exhibitions at Stavanger Kunstforening, and the daring exhibitions at Kinokino. But you find it all in the posts.
