Oslo Open Artist Festival

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Oslo Open was established to give artists an alternative venue to show and an opportunity to be discovered outside the established institutions. Enjoy this year’s festival next weekend, 16-17 April.

Oslo Open was established in 2000 by a collective of artists and art institutions in Oslo. The main goal of Oslo Open is to give the public the opportunity to interact with artists in a way they have never done before. They get to visit artists at their ateliers and studios to view their work in a whole new light. Guided tours are offered as well to provide extra information about the artists and their exhibitions. There are group exhibition, child friendly workshops, as well as solo exhibitions. There are also free concerts, films and lectures.Oslo Open is an unmediated event, which is what makes it as diversified and as varied as the artists themselves.

Hloves by Kirsten Opstad
Gloves by Kirsten Opstad

Since 2014, the Oslo Open has been organizing an international study visit program, inviting gallerists, curators and collectors from all over the world to explore Oslo’s art scene.

Are we growing apart? by Jim Darbu
Are we growing apart? by Jim Darbu

Oslo Open also hosts “art ambassadors” who come to Norway to represent their countries’ art and cultural development. The international visitors will have a viewing and a judging of their portfolios.

Author Lars Saabye Christensen, painting by Karen Aare
Author Lars Saabye Christensen, painting by Karen Aare

Oslo Open offers a unique and informal meetings between artists and the audience of artists’ own work. A mythical and otherwise closed room, in countless variations.

Poster from 2007
Poster from 2007

You find the artists, samples of their works and studio addresses here.

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In 2015, the international program was expanded to include a “speed-dating” portfolio presentation. This year the speed dating will take place on 14 and 15 April, 12pm – 6pm both days.

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The artist’s studio is usually an exclusive place, inaccessible to people outside the professional field of art. Oslo Open facilitates an unmediated meeting between a general audience and the professional artist. The festival is free and open for everyone.

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Since its inception in 2000, there have been 8 editions of Oslo Open. The idea behind Oslo Open was introduced by Gavin Jantjes in 1998.

Spread your wings, bu Lirsti Aasheim
Spread your wings, bu Lirsti Aasheim

Several artists organize concerts, performances, exhibitions and other activities during Oslo Open. You can read more about these satellite events here.

Palms, the African Art Show, by Tiago Bom
Palms, the African Art Show, by Tiago Bom

Today there are similar projects in Bergen (B-Open), Trondheim (Trondheim Open), Tromso (Tromsø Open) and Stavanger
(R-Open).

Feature image (on top): Oil painting by Kira Wager

Oslo Open Artist Festival, compiled by the Daily Scandinavian Team