The Russian Nikita Norkin’s exhibition of interpretation painting in Oslo, Norway, was art up close sensational to me. As my business life and networking often bring me in contact with very interesting people, my wife DianeCA and I was invited to the opening of an art exhibit by Gallery E966. The artist describes the exhibit as follows; The most important paintings in modern art exist in both private and public collections scattered throughout the world. This art makes a good attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable and presents a large collection of interesting interpretations of the world’s most renowned painters. Let me give you some example before I go on (click pics to bigify & enjoy):
Meeting Nikita was a fascinating experience, and through his curiosity and eagerness, I too became curious and learned more about his work, and the works which inspire him. This collection cuts across time and place by allowing inspiration not only by great Western European artists like Picasso, Degas and van Gogh, but also eastern and south American artists like Guayasamin, Kadinskij, and Goncharova. Art works which I was not familiar with before the exhibition.
In addition I received an extraordinary inside view of details which I myself never noticed in masterpieces I am familiar with such as Munch’s Scream and Madonna.
The exhibition presented more than 50 colourful interpretations painted in a naive style. It is important to understand that the works are not copies of well known paintings but rather a journey through the art process through Nikita’s eyes. He shares his interpretation and learning process with us by allowing himself to be inspired by his favourite pieces.
The collection fascinated me, and the artist fascinated me even more. It was interesting to get private guided tour from the artist himself and see his development as he tells about the process from the first painting to the last. The total collection represents a lot of work from the artist, and I admire his seemingly limitless imagination and originality. He is truly a brave soul, as he is able to dream large and colourful dreams, have high ambitions, and is not afraid to bring those dreams and ambitions into life.
Nikita is free like a mustang, able to run with his brushes across the open horizon and make it his own. He is a strong artistic soul, who seems almost a bit shy when you meet him, however if you are interested in his speciality he will open up and share his thoughts and artistic process with you. He gives me the impression of being both strong and vulnerable at the same time, and with a warm and easygoing personality as well.
The house in which the exhibition was held was truly a perfect match for this collection. This more than 100 years old pearl of a wooden home was donated to the Red Cross and now houses the local volunteer center:
The atmosphere was relaxed, charming, and traditional complete with lovely old fashion furnishings and decoration. Located in a modern housing area on the western side of Oslo it stands out from its surroundings with its old fashioned charms and invites one to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban city life. The building was as unique as the collection within it:
Allow me also to introduce Nikita’s wife Svetlana, and tell you that this is one example of people you will meet as they will attend at the Oslo Blog Gathering in August. I have had contact with Svetlana for many years through my work with the Norwegian Computer Society as she is an IT professional who specializes in Knowledge Management. All four of us at the exhibition.
She helps her husband by taking care of the organization and publicity of his artwork, leaving him to use his creative energies on his art. But she is not without her own artistic talent, as she enjoys both music and cooking. I can assure you they are both excellent chefs. I have been to a “Russian evening” at their home several years in a row, and always look forward to the experience.
If you would like to meet interesting people from all over the world, like Svetlana and Nikita then the Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 is for you! You see it is not only meant to be an Oslo experience as it is a human experience where we will meet and be acquainted with interesting people from all over the world. If you have been inspired by Nikita’s art and would like to purchase a piece, please indicate in you’re comment to this post or join us at OsloBG and ask Nikita for one!
Norway’s Constitution was signed the 17th of May in 1814 by an elected National Assembly at Eidsvold outside of Oslo. 33 of the delegates were chosen from the army and the navy, 25 from the cities and 54 from the countryside. Because of the long distance, the northern part of Norway had no delegates. On the same day the Constitution was signed Christian Fredrik (from Denmark) was elected king of Norway. He reigned only a few months, and then the throne was handed over to the Swedish king, Karl Johan, the 10th of October 1814. For almost 100 years, until 1905 Norway was in a union with Sweden.
The day usually starts with a flag-raising ceremony at a nearby school, church or governmental building. Then, pupils join in the Children’s Parade, while adults watch and cheer from the side-walks. All the schoolchildren in the whole country march with the Norwegian flag in their hands and colourful banners, which represent their school or their class, in front. You may read more about the marching band at my wife DianeCA’s post. Marching out from the school with the Principal in the lead (to the right) in his bunad.
Many countries celebrate their Constitution or Independence, but opposed to these – as you can see in the photo above – the Norwegian celebration has no reference to military power. Norway’s National Day is a day of flags, parades, speeches and bands playing the national anthem; “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, we love this country). The concept is simple, a local celebration regardless of the weather, with classmates and neighbours showing their national pride in a peaceful and harmless way. You may hear the band play the national anthem and learn more about the school celebration from my post by clicking here.
My vid from a Happy parade in 2006 on a slightly rainy day:
I have now posted about the 17th of May for five years in a row, so we will use my earlier posts as a way of highlighting this year’s. So be sure to click on the links to learn more.
Norway’s National costumes – “Bunad”:
You will notice that many are wearing their regional costumes called Bunad. Each region of Norway has its own Bunad and those which use it wear the costume from the area their family roots come from. Last year we met a very nice Norwegian family dressed up in their proper Bunad, and I could not resist asking them if they would pose to illustrate how the family’s traditional clothes should be. This is a fine example of the traditional costume for both adults and children:
The Bunad is artfully hand embroidered and must be made from the correct wool material with the traditional pattern. Some areas allow you to choose variations of Bunad, but the rules are relatively strict in order to keep the tradition in tact. If you have Bunad then the 17th of May is the high time to use it. In addition it is used for weddings, baptismal, and very special occasions.
When the activities in the school-yards are finished, the festivities continue in the centre of town, where people from all over the area meet. Here there is a new parade with different organizations marching. All kinds of organizations are represented; the scouts, soccer teams, folk dance groups, religious organizations, and bands. This one in our local town is called the flower parade, and flowers are thrown out to the onlookers by the participants (click picks to bigify & enjoy): Some of the locals have even decorated their classic car for the event, while others have decorated their scooter.
You may see a review of this parade by clicking here!
Russ – The revelling Norwegian high school graduates:
The graduates have a special place in the 17th of May celebration. Throughout the month of May they celebrate the end of the high school years with numerous parties and funny tasks which they must do to get a knot in the tassel of their hats. One of the rules is that they have to wear their Russ uniform everyday without being allowed to wash it:
A modern addition to this celebration is the Russ Bus. Students get together and work hard for a year or two to save up money and pool it together into buying, decorating and equipping a bus for the Russ season:
The bus is literally a rolling party, with loud music, lights and Russ only allowed inside. Although this might seem like a party mentality, it is also a learning experience for those who join a bus (not all do!) because it requires saving, planning, working on a concept, working towards a goal and project management to get the concept “rolling”. You may read more in my article about the Russ by clicking here!
So I do hope understand the special feeling I have when I am able to share this tradition with you. It is the most Norwegian of the Norwegian, and I am proud to be able to introduce it to family and friends through out the Blogsphere. If you have been inspired by this post, and would like to see some bunad and learn our history on your own, remember we still are taking bookings for the Oslo Blog Gathering in August. Join us and you can march down Karl Johan street yourself!
Norwegian fish, especially salmon is popular and shipped in large quantities to Russia, Europe, North America and Eastern Asia. Fish is Norway’s 3rd most important export after oil/gas and metals. Some reasons I guess is that Norwegian waters are of the least polluted in Europe, and the coast has numerous river systems that are full of with North Atlantic Salmon.
The best is to eat it yourself though and when my American wife DaneCA – who is and excellent chef – came into my life, she started to make the most delicious seafood dishes. Today we enjoyed one of them;
The recipe – Salmon Au Gratin:
No measurements but the dishes ingredients are 4 salmon fillets, tomatoes, onion, leek, carrot, celery root, white wine, mushrooms, cream, dill, a dash of garlic salt baked in the oven for 30 minutes – then topped with cheese and shrimp and browned for 10 more.
The serving is ready – DianeCA’s Salmon Delight with rice:
The dish with a glass of white wine – Bon appétit:
Fish Farming in Norway:
My initial info and remarks make Norway perfect country for farming Salmon too. Actually fish farming is Norway’s second largest industry, and provides jobs both within and outside of the country. Thus Salmon is the flag ship of the Norwegian fish farming Industry and may of course are prepared in numerous ways; You may eat it dried, as a snack, smoked, marinated, salted, cooked, fried or baked and can even make an excellent sushi! Recently Salmon Caviar is fast growing in popularity – some even think it’s better than Russian caviar.
So how about you; have you eaten any Norwegian salmon lately? If so, in what way – or do you wish to try some of my wife’s specialities?
Here are some posts from our earlier fish delight dishes:
-> Rakfisk dish as traditional fish delicacy from Norway
-> Olga experience seafood delight in Norway
-> Rainbow trout fish dinner delight
-> Norwegian Sea Food dinner
VisitOSLO and Oslo Municipality invited all to a free “Tourist for a Day” to explore the city. The Purpose; getting acquainted with the many exciting museums and attractions of the Oslo area, but also experiencing how it is to get around using public transportation. My wife DianeCA and I took the opportunity as part of planning for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG) in August and we gladly take you along:
The Oslo Pass:
Everyone who showed up at Oslo City Hall got a free Oslo Pass for free entrance to museums, attractions and public transportation and in addition a discount on a number of restaurants and shops.
A drawing contest for children:
As part of the event, all primary school children in Oslo were invited and the winners were announced today in the Oslo City Hall (click to bigify and enjoy!): VisitOSLO’s CEO and the Vice Mayor awarding the prize in the City Hall
Like I said, my wife and I participated as part of preparing for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG – read more at the end of this post) and took the chance for a chat with this CEO and the Vice Mayor to tell how much we appreciated their support- and we got the time for a picture too: From Left: Tore Sannerud, RennyBA, Aud Kvalbein and DianeCA
Information stands:
Many local tourist services presented opportunities to try their products. Here you see DianeCA at Oslo Guideservice who offered a free walking tour which we participated in with great interest (see my report below):
A rebus puzzle:
As a complementation, the Oslo Guidebureau invited to a six question puzzle within walking distance from City Hall. Here are some examples of the posts: Left: The Nobel Peace Center – Right: Inside, the peace garden.
Left: Ice Bar Oslo – Right: Meeting Henrik Ibsen at the Parliament.
A walking tour of centre Oslo:
Like I’ve said, Oslo Guideservice invited to a two hour walk with one of their guides and here is a look at some of the spots on the tour (click to bigify): Left: Statue of Peter W. Tordenskjold (1691 – 1720, a naval officer) at Akershus Fortress -
Right: Aker Warf (shopping, finance and amusement centre).
Left: Ruins of the old town – Right: Oslo’s oldest building (1626)
The National Theatre:
Opened in 1899, it’s a home to the dramatic Norway arts and use of the language on stage. The desire to establish a theatre for Norwegian dramatists and stage artists constituted a natural part of the country’s national development and its separation from Sweden around the beginning of the last century. The statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson still take a place of honour in front along with Ludvig Holberg and as you can see, they are engraved on the front of the building.
Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 (OsloBG): This “Tourist in your own city” program gave a lot more options to Oslo’s major cultural institutions of course: A way to familiarizing with one of Europe’s leading networks of public transportation above and below ground – and on the stunningly beautiful Oslo Fjord, free entrance to all other museums, attractions as well as discount on a number of restaurants and coffee bars.
However, it’s impossible to cover it all in one post. The VisitOSLO CEO told me that about 7,000 participated last year. At the Oslo Blog Gathering, the principle is the same and then you even have three days to explore the city and surroundings. Go check out the Official Program site and book the program fee (Oslo Pass is included) to join bloggers from all over the world!
Click for my wife DianeCA’s post from today’s adventures: Always in new and other prospectives!
Don McLean’s American Pie and Vincent (Starry Starry Night) was heard last Wednesday at a concert in Oslo, Norway. The plain crash in 1959 where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Boppers died gave inspiration for the first song and Madonna’s version has made it popular for a whole new generation – of which McLean has said: “I have received many gifts from God, but this is the first time I have received a gift from a Goddess”.
I was thrilled when my wife DianeCA found out about the concert some weeks ago and invited me to go – you’re welcome to join us on our date. Hopefully some of my photos (from a long distance and difficult lightening) can help to get you into the mood:
If you don’t like the music, you’re lost – If you do, you’ll soon be obsessed when listening to this legend. In Oslo he gave a concert for almost two hours, performing only with his guitar and finishing with a fine presentation of his banjo (click the two pics to bigify & enjoy!):
American Pie Live in Oslo:
Don McLean has performed over 3500 concerts worldwide and sung for a million people in Central Park in New York. Along with The Rolling Stones, he also holds the record crowd in Hyde Park in London. He was the first pop singer who could sing in the opera house in Sydney, Australia. At every concert, he sang “American Pie”, “Vincent”, “Crying” and the full range of his many hits. So he did in Oslo too and cast a spell on the audience: Again, bare with me the photo quality, but believe it was a magic moment.
I also shot a movie with my cam and if you turn up you’re speakers, you should be able to hear both McLean and after a while an enthusiastic audience too!
Like I said, my wife DianeCA was there too and you should hop over and read her version!
Don has now released some 25 studio and lives albums and several compilations. His last studio release came in the year and is titled “Addicted to Black”. I am going to by it – how about you? And do you know if you’re place is on the map of his world tour this time?
