Put on your sneakers and join a walking tour for some amazing street art in three cities in Norway: STAVANGER, VARDØ & KRISTIANSAND
Street art is an great way for artists to exibit there work in public places, where everyone can enjoy art for free. It also gives the artist an opportunity to be seen outside galleries and in this way, reach a much broader audience.
STAVANGER was the host of the first street art festival in 2001. The city is still the host the annual Nuart Festival in september each year. The municipally and local business contributed in order to make it happen. Artist from all over the world take part in festival.
The walls are bursting with colors
Most paintings are found in the older part of town. Easy walkable and you can download the iPhone app from Nuart which will provide you with guide to location where you will find the art. Next Nuart festival will be held 6 -9th of September 2018.
Some artists use this as a way to raise awareness of social issues or wanting attention, creating a message, displaying their own thoughts or passion for issues that is of concern to the artist himself. Just like the forerunner - graffiti.
VARDØ - the most north-easterly spot in northern Norway, close to the Russian border. This little town has suffered from people moving out and houses has been decaying. An effort was made to highlight the issue of depopulation, by arranging an art festival.
The “Komafest” art festival was held in 2012. Street artist Pøbel, worked on the project together with the locals. Leading international artists were also invited to decorate the houses, transforming the arctic town to a big outdoor gallery.
KRISTIANSAND – last stop on our tour. In 2017 the 3rd street art festival was held here. “Gadekunst 2017” invited both local and international artists to town, to paint on buildings, and turning the city into an outdoor gallery where the inhabitants can enjoy art all year round. The municipally has also contributed to this development in order to get art out to the people.
“Elephant in the room” – the artist of this gigantic mural was painted in 2017
Street art as a form of art has by now earned å place on the scene of contemporary art. It has become accepted by the public. It has also led to become one of the "sights to see" in many cities around the world. Today many large cities have street art in some form and they even run popular street art tours.
Theese two are found in Nybyen
This mural is found on one of the walls on the theatre
Next time we meet in Aalborg, Denmark for some world famous street art.
U.J
Kristiansand, Norway