English summary
Creating a vibrant centre and a sustainable future in a small norwegian village
How can life in a small village be revitalized through art? This is the question that the Liv på Nes association asked itself when it first formed in 2012. Through a collaboration with Rogaland Kunstsenter, the French art institution, Artconnexion found its way to the small rural village of Nesflaten in Suldal in the south western part of Norway. Now this small village with 230 inhabitants is on its way to producing one of the most spectacular art projects ever realized in Norway.
The Liv på Nes association consists of local villagers who are following the New Patrons commissioning process, ensuring a local power dynamic and commitment to the art project. The project in Nesflaten centers on the only commercial building in the village – «Sentrumsbygget» («The central building»). The goal of the project is to completely transform both the form and function of this building through an innovative and ambitious art project and also create a new future for the village.
The artwork «Views» which will transform «Sentrumsbygget» is designed by the Danish artist Jeppe Hein. Hein who lives and works in Berlin is known for the focus on audience experience in relation to his work and he often uses architectural elements and new technology in his conceptual pieces. His project for Nesflaten was created following his first visit to the village in 2014 when he was introduced by Artconnexion to the Liv på Nes association members and learned about the village and the challenges it faced. The villagers were eager to focus on a new and vibrant centre for the village with a focus on or around «Sentrumsbygget». Hein met the challenge by creating a new installation to be placed on top of the existing building to transform «Sentrumsbygget» from being simply a building into being a new and exciting heart of the village for the local population and a destination landmark for tourists. Hein also designed a fountain and a portal for the quay which marked the old entrance to Nesflaten via the lake. The installation on the roof will function as a portal to explore the mountain area surrounding the village through different views and information about the area. In 2016 Snøhetta architectural firm joined the project to work on the integration between the building and the artwork. This collaboration ensures that the whole building will be transformed in the process of realizing the artwork and opens up the potential within the building to meet the future needs and wishes of the village.
«Views» is a project that also takes into account the local history. Through the use of aluminium on the roof installation, the project links the work to the history of the village. Nesflaten is the site of a hydro power plant built for Norsk Hydro to provide electricity for the production of aluminium. Still operational today, the hydro power plant is an important part of the village identity.
The hydro power plant and surrounding housing and hotel was designed by Norwegian architect Geir Grung in the 1960s and is now included in the national scenic route as one of the highlights along with Almannajuvet by Peter Zumpthor and Høse brua by Rintala-Eggertsson Architects. Boasting architecture with a focus on industry and farming with the oldest building in the region (from 1281), «Views» will become another highlight on a scenic tour known as the Architectural Route. Already attracting vistors interested in architecture and design, the project will function as a hub along the route and a tool for the village to further develop a sustainable approach to tourism and quality countryside life.
The project will be the first major New Patrons project realized in Norway and has so far been been supported by Suldal Kommune, Ryfylkefondet, KORO, Fondation de France and Rogaland Fylkeskommune.
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