NORWAY Identity
The Scream by Munch, 1893, Sold for $119.9 million in 2012. The idea for the Scream, came to Munch when he 'heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature' inspired by a sunset …. but we all know it was about the anxiety of the modern man. We feel the utter despair - used as a pop culture reference for so much including the movie and the masks .. what was it called again ?
I had read that the seasons of long nights and no sunlight are associated with depression. There is a whole industry based on it.
But on the the contrary, Norway frequently featured in the top 10 best places to live in the world. So what was up with Munch ?
There are many many reasons to be happy in Norway compared to other countries, but every day people are still exposed to everyday awful experiences. Around half of people in Norway experience mental health problems or disorders at some time during their life. And Munch was one them and his work revolved around this. Also heavily influenced by his visits to Paris, categorised under Symbolism – focusing on the mind rather than reality.
"In my art I attempt to explain life and its meaning to myself."
He had grown up with death and sadness, he had watched his mother die at the age of 5 and then his favourite sister at (both of tuberculosis) and was brought up with his siblings by his religiously zealous father and aunt. He also suffered from physical illness during the long winter months and was kept out of school. He drew to keep himself occupied.
"My father was temperamentally nervous and obsessively religious—to the point of psychoneurosis. From him I inherited the seeds of madness. The angels of fear, sorrow, and death stood by my side since the day I was born."
His mark making and form all a reflection of his inner perspective. “Even Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye... it also includes the inner pictures of the soul.”- Edvard Munch.
So yes, one of the happiest places to live …. that’s now right ? And a lot of the greatest works art have come of from emotinal depths of pain (or religion) ….particularly street art, usually in part protest or break for freedom and traditionally from the ghetto … I was curious to know if Norway, had any of that stuff. Its heritage of Viking warriors, ancient Sami culture and survivalist explorers, gender equality and clean and green (except for the huge oil reserves). Norway is measured and rich. And officially pretty happy.
I turned up very late to a street art tour run by Hanna and James. It started in Rosenhoffgata, the grittier area (if Norway could have any gritty parts) which had become trendy with fun bars and cafes. Their company Oslo Street Art Tour, were producers of streetart, finding walls, connecting with commercial or city organisations and commissioning artists to create murals and graffiti. They also run a yearly Street Art festival in Oslo called Løkka-lykke Gatekunstfest, a zine, support the local community and follow sustainable practices.
Interview
And up North into the Arctic, yes captured a few pieces. There is a certain satisfaction factor climbing a snow mound (each step causing half a leg to be swallowed - snow falling into your waterproof boots from the top) in a carpark to scan a graffiti piece.
https://streetartnews.net/2013/09/street-art-by-phlegm-in-bodo-norway.html
