STREET ART IN OSLO – THE ONLY CERTAINTY IS CHANGE

Full Name: Christiaan Griffejoen
Age: 22
Home Country: Netherlands
Current Study Program: MSc in Sustainable Finance

During the last months of my business bachelor in Amsterdam, I was already dreaming about moving to Oslo. I have to admit that when I finally got here, the city was different than I expected. I had seen the post card pictures of the twentieth century architecture in the neighbourhood where I now live; Grünerløkka. The always sunny pictures showed the straight lines and symmetric windows of the colourful buildings along the Thorvald Meyers main street of the neighbourhood. In a way this architecture might also be “street”-art. But I’m not here to reveal that it’s not always sunny in Grünerløkka, Oslo. Nor will I talk about the 1900s type of street art. I want to show you what I didn’t imagine before I moved in here.

architecture

The GrünerLøkka twentieth century architecture (Seilduksgata)

On the previously mentioned stately homes, and most other buildings in my neighbourhood, you will find some form of street art. Even after living here for nearly five months, I still find new treasures every day. I would like to show you some of my favourite pieces I found during afternoon walks.

Grünerløkka’s “Pont des Arts”

Paris has its famous bridge full of love locks left there by couples on their visit, Løkka has its own love bridge. Right besides the old sail-cloth factory at Seilduksgata is the Oslo Art Academy, which happens to have its own spectacular waterfall !!. The river that feeds this waterfall is crossed by the bridge with all its locks. I’m a bit of a romantic so it always makes me happy to see the memories of all the lovers that came here. On the other side of this river is a nice park through which I often walk with friends, or hang out at to read a book.

Løkka’s love bridge across the Akerselva river

Fyrhuset Kuba – In wonderland

In this same park next to the SiO student-housing known as the “Silo”, is a “beer garden” café called Fyrhuset Kuba. The walls on the terrace are covered in drawings of famous stories. One of my favourite parts is a mural of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland (who I just found out is simply named “white rabbit”). The Alice in Wonderland section of the terrace reminds me of the summer when I spend the evenings drinking local beers and chatting with friends right in that corner there.

The white rabbit at Fyrhuset Kuba

Mother and Child

My favourite piece, of the ones I have discovered, is this realistic drawing of a mother and child on a green wall in nedre gate. I like this one the most because the picture radiates warmth and caring and that always makes me happy. I also think the way in which the artist Alice Pasquini uses only five colours to create such depth is really amazing.

Alice_Pasquini_mural

Alice Pasquini mural. Nedre gate

Oslo Art-district by the river

Very close to the mother-child mural is the entrance to a small somewhat hidden art district down by the river. This district has paintings, graffiti, statues, small café’s, studios for local bands and any other form of expression you can imagine.

Løkka art district - Brenneriveien

Don’t Look here

When I walked into the district yesterday, with my camera to take pictures, The walls had changed since the last time I was there. One of the new pieces was still wet. A full black background with in yellow capitals “DON’T LOOK HERE” written in Norwegian. I started to think about how everything changes. Even since I last visited, the walls had already change. I think the city, just like the people in it is constantly evolving. From the twentieth century buildings to the modern forms of art. I think that is the only way to tell if something is alive, to see it change or move. Grünerløkka is definitely alive, and the only certainty in life, is change. I’m excited to see how the city will look tomorrow.

dont_look_here_art

DON’T LOOK HERE. Brenneriveien, Løkka art District.

STREET ART IN OSLO – THE ONLY CERTAINTY IS CHANGE

Grünerløkka’s “Pont des Arts”

Fyrhuset Kuba – In wonderland

Mother and Child

Oslo Art-district by the river

Don’t Look here

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