Ekko
by Susanne Christensen and Kenneth Varpe
Official opening 4.12.12
Artwork at Stavanger School of Music and Performing Arts + Stavanger Cathedral School Bjergsted
New buildings where creativity is created and celebrated, an orange line linking these buildings to each other and to the history, the regularity of the tidal water, and the sounds of the area triggered by the visitors. These are all features of the commissioned artwork by Susanne Christensen and Kenneth Varpe at Stavanger School of Music and Performing Arts and Stavanger Cathedral School Bjergsted.
What you first notice are orange light lines on the facade or on the ground around the buildings. The lines are both horizontal on the ground and vertical on the facades. These lines make strange turns, and after closer study they are all linked together, being one single line. This is marking the historical coastline in this area. Or actually a merged combination of the earlier coastlines. The buildings are linked together by this line, but they are symbolically also linked to the past this way. The fillout of this area (and so many other places in Stavanger) cover the historic coastline, but here it is visualized again.
The light is constantly changing in intensity, reflecting the constant change of the tidal water. The data of the tidal waters are recorded in this area, just on the opposite quayside.
Crossing the border between land and water is usually very noticable, it is hard to not notice that you have fallen off the quay into the sea. But we may cross the historical borders all the time not noticing it. Here you do. Crossing the historical lines, sounds emerge from the ground. These are sounds recorded in this area, edited by musical artist Pål Asle Pettersen, and they are triggered by your movement.
This is a fantastic work of art with many hidden features and surprises, making a detour from the new Concert Hall worthwhile.
