For the first time ever, a group exhibition of Norwegian sculptors is being presented in America, and St. Olaf is lucky enough to be a part of this monumental event. The exhibition, entitled "Between Space and Time: Contemporary Norwegian Sculpture and Installation," will be on display in Steensland Art Museum until October 8, 2000.

The exhibit opened on Friday, September 15 at 5 p.m. with a reception for artist Gunnar Torvund and curator Louise Shaw. The event was sponsored in part by The Nygaard Foundation of St. Olaf and the American-Scandinavian Foundation. Shaw spoke to the group of approximately 20 students, staff, and community members about her involvement with the exhibit.

Shaw, a Boston native who now lives in Atlanta, GA, was not the original curator of the project. It was given to her through her friend Gudmund Vigtel, a Norwegian who is the director of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Shaw has been working on this exhibition for the past five years and has gone to Norway four times.

"I practically consider myself Norwegian now," said Shaw.

Shaw entered the project with no preconceptions about Norwegian art; she was simply looking for quality with an eye on gender balance. With the help of the director of the Association of Norwegian Sculptors, Arve Bringaker, and American art critic George Morgenstern, Shaw chose the six artists of the exhibition: Bard Breivik, Per Barclay, Per Inge Bjorlo, Kristin Ytreberg, Bente Stokke, and Torvund. She looked at over 200 slides of various works and made more than 30 studio visits. She found a common theme of precision, attention to detail, and a sense of introspection between the six artists.

Torvund, said to be the most "Norwegian" of the artists, is a forty-ish gentleman with bright blue eyes. He spoke about his art and the exhibition with accented English and the aid of Anne Sabo from St. OlafŐs Norwegian department.

"Everything inspires me: a poem, people I meet, other works of art," said Torvund. He also said that he doesnŐt try to be international: "I try to be myself."

The strong traditions of folk art are preserved in the culture where Torvund lives, and reflected in his art. A good example is his "Silent Vessel," a suspended sculpture on display in the basement of Steensland. Its boat shape represents the idea of traveling, and of the movement of time. The sides are textured to show the marks of the waves, another indication of time passing, fitting with the theme of the exhibit. The crystal center is like "a treasure of the vessel."

The other artistsŐ works on display range from an abstract drape of shimmery brown cloth (by Ytreberg) to the more concrete photography of Barclay. The photos are particularly intriguing because the floors in each locale photographed are covered in inches of used motor oil to create a dark, mirrored surface.

Brief biographies and explanations of each artistŐs work are posted by their respective displays. More detailed information about the artists and the exhibition, plus a history of Norwegian art, can be found in a brochure on sale at the museum for $5. Books about the artists are also on display on both floors, some of which are written in Norwegian.

SteenslandŐs hours for Monday-Wednesday and Friday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday the museum is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Jill Ewald, director, at X3556.