Momentum - Imagining being here now

Þriðjudagur, 20 September 2011 11:09

Momentum is Norway’s only contemporary art biennale. It has been composed by five curators from all of the Nordic countries. Located in Moss, the exhibition lies only 60 km south of Oslo.

Imagining being here now, is the name of this year's biennale. The title plays on the human ability to imagine, to think forward and backward in time, and in space, explains Maria Havstand. She is the information manager for the art biennale and she points out that the ability of imagining is reflected in the exhibition premises. The three main locations of the biennale reflect this in different ways.

Gallery F15 is the first location, situated in an old villa. The showroom is opened up against the surrounding baroque park, giving the mind an open space. Momentum Art Hall in the center of Moss, however, impose the sense of confined space. The Art exhibition hall's architecture separates the different installations from each other and reinforces the distinct feeling. The third location is the Solberg Tower, a popular observation point, overlooking rock carvings from the Bronze Age, allowing the audience to reflect on time.

Previously the biennale focused on Norwegian and Nordic contemporary art. This year, the organizers have included artists from around the world for the first time. Havstam explains that the curators had a strong desire not to limit themselves to the Nordic countries. Even so, almost half of the exhibitors are from the five Nordic countries.

Havstam assures that the decision to bring in international artists does not imply that there is not enough high quality Nordic art being produced these days. On the contrary, it would be fully possible to fill a very good and exciting biennial with art produced in the Nordic region. It is rather that the curators did not feel that a pure Nordic definition is natural.

Contemporary art, locally and internationally

Five curators, five individuals from the five Nordic countries, has ensured that the preparations for Momentum this year has been exciting and challenging, the information manager admits. At the same time she explains that different backgrounds and approaches, and the curators' wide network of contacts, has enriched the exhibition.

Momentum has received much attention in the press, not only locally and nationally, but also internationally. The information manager refers to the over thirty international publications that have reviewed the exhibition. International coverage is prestigious, but Havstam admits that it makes everyone particularly happy when the national papers describes the exhibition as "Our biennial", confirming the organisers' aspirations of creating a leading artistic institution in Norway. She also points to the need for supporting the contemporary art scene outside the capital.

As the only biennial of contemporary art in the country, Momentum is a source of pride in Moss. Havstam says that there has been a political will in the city to pursue cultural development. The fact that Moss is so close to the capital, and on the road to Gothenburg, makes the exhibition available to a relatively large audience. As a result of good cooperation with the nearby airport, it also attracts visitors from abroad.

Momentum - Imagining being here now, extends beyond national borders. Under the title Momentum Episodes touring Logi Kristiansson & Roi Spring in these days the rest of the four Nordic countries.

The biennial Momentum - Imagining being here now, has been supported through the Culture and Art Programme

If you want to read more about Momentum, please click here.