Reunion

100 years after the dissolution of the union, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium ensured a restoration of Norway's union with Sweden, in REUNION – an exhibition of Swedish and Norwegian contemporary art, from the Moderna Museet and the National Museum. The two museums had given curator Göran Green free rein to choose from the purchases of national contemporary art that had been made over the past 15 years. In addition, it was supplemented with works from Morten Viskum's own collection.

Excerpt of Göran Greens text for the catalogue:

“In the 1990s, the art world exploded – in terms of both geographic reach and with the number of artistic techniques. The major art metropolises, with New York at the forefront, lost their dominance. Art went global. There was greater and closer collaboration between countries, institutions and artists.

Both the art world and the very concept of art have undergone a veritable revolution. It is probably difficult for a young artist today to grasp the situation before the implosion of the concept of art. Say “art” to a young would-be artist today, and you cannot be sure that the first idea that pops into his / her mind is painting or sculpture: He or she may just as easily be thinking of photography, video, installations or relational art of various kinds. Painting has become but one of many artistic techniques.”

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Installation photos: Bjørn Kristoffersen

Participating artists

• Unni Askeland
• Åsa Maria Bengtsson
• Bigert & Bergström
• Bjørn Bjarre
• Maria Borgström
• Bård Breivik
• A K Dolven
• Jan Groth
• Leif Holmstrand
• Steinar Jakobsen
• Kristina Jansson
• Olav Chr. Jenssen
• Rune Johansen
• Børre Larsen
• Petra Lindholm
• Matts Leiderstam
• Tor-Magnus Lundeby
• Bjarne Melgaard
• Truls Melin
• Marius Mørch
• Sirous Namazi
• Bjørn Ransve
• Annica Karlsson Rixon
• Thorbjørn Rødland
• Johanna Schartau
• Mari Slaattelid
• Erik Snedsbøl
• Vibeke Tandberg
• Sophie Tottie
• Lars Tunbjörk
• Magnus Wallin
• Josabet Werkmäster
• Fredrik Wretman