New exhibition galleries open at Henie Onstad - Sal Merz

The new addition to the museum results from a close collaboration with Snøhetta and the artist Luca Frei, who has been responsible for the exhibition design. Sustainability and reuse of materials and qualities in existing rooms are central to the project. The gallery is a total of 430 square meters. 

– Together with the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, we have created a completely unique exhibition framework for world-class art. A collection like this has never existed in Norway before. Several of the works, such as René Magritte, have not been shown before, says Tone Hansen, director of Henie Onstad. 

The gallery presents the semi-permanent exhibition Merz! Flux! Pop!. It exhibits works by one of the founders of the avant-garde, Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948), his colleagues, and successors.  

Sal Merz derives its name from the art of the German artist Schwitters. For several years, he lived in Norway near the art center at Høvikodden, which also houses the most extensive collection of Schwitter's art outside Germany. The gallery is spread over two levels and is integrated into the original building of the art center from 1968. 

– Schwitters was one of the most distinctive and versatile artists in the first half of the 20th century. The artistic tactics and strategies he developed have significantly impacted later generations, as the exhibition shows. Sal Merz is a fabulous starting point for further work with the avant-garde at Henie Onstad in new exhibitions and activities, says Caroline Ugelstad, chief curator at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, who has curated the exhibition. 

Merz! Flux! Pop! begins on the ground floor with a presentation of Kurt Schwitters' year in exile in Norway. On the second floor of Sal Merz is the largest exhibition area. Here the exhibition shows Schwitters in collaboration with his contemporary and later artists. Among other things, a rich selection of Henie Onstad's Fluxus collection has been presented, including a large cabinet that stood at the home of the American collector Jean Brown. It has been installed so that the public can open up and see the contents of the drawers. 

With Sal Merz, Henie Onstad confirms its place as a central institution for extraordinary directions in art. The permanent presentation can facilitate long-term dialogue about the values and qualities that the avant-garde stood for.  

– This will have implications for research and the public. In collaboration with Henie Onstad, the architects and Luca Frei have created a space for wonder and discovery where you as an audience can discover small and large treasures, says Hansen. 

The exhibition shows more than 150 works, by artists such as Lene Berg, Kurt Schwitters, Theo van Doesburg, Constantin Brancusi, Man Ray, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, Hannah Höch, Francis Picabia, Paul Klee, Sonia Delanuay, Jean Arp, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Olav Strømme, Tadeuz Kantor, Arman, Jacqueline de Jong, Alice Hutchins, Jiří Kolář, Yoko Ono, George Maciunas and more. 

 

Since 2009, Sparebankstiftelsen DnB (The Savings Bank Foundation DNB) has developed a collection of Schwitters and his colleagues in close collaboration with Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Since its establishment in 1968, Henie Onstad has been a place for avant-garde and artistic projects across the arts. The institution holds a unique position in this field in Norway. The exhibition shows Sparebankstiftelsen DnB's collection together with material from Henie Onstad's own collection and archives. The exhibition also presents loans from Christen Sveaas' Kunststiftelse and Erling Neby collection. 

  

Summary: 

Press viewing: June 2, 9am, contactmhj@hok.no for further inquiries

Title: Merz! Flux! Pop! 

Exhibition Period: 03.06.2021-29.05.2021 

Curator: Caroline Ugelstad 

Where: Sal Merz, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter 

Exhibition Design: Luca Frei  

Architecht: Snøhetta and KEY arkitekter

Area: 430 m2