“Sjøparken in Stavern is an idyllic area with a variety of activities and experiences. Visit the Nerdrum Museum to see iconic works by Odd Nerdrum. At the ‘Havfuglen’ Café, you can enjoy food and drinks under old chestnut trees at Agnes Torg. Kunst i Sjøparken (Art in Sjøparken) features 17 studios and galleries with local artists – painting, photography, ceramics, and more. People of all ages can explore and play on the Tangaroa raft, which was used during the filming of the Kon-Tiki movie in 2012. Additionally, there are plenty of activities in the area – you can try yoga, pilates, martial arts, bouldering, diving, and watersports. You’ll also find Agnes Brygghus and other local offerings. The local community in the summer town of Stavern also offers opportunities for boat trips, restaurants, shops, and many other activities.
Kategori: Art
Ormen Våge
Våge means “to dare”
The Dragon, however, was not chosen purely as protection for the children. In old Norse literature dragons are portrayed as much as obstacles to fight and overcome, as well as symbols of strength.
It is this duality that Stig Skjelvik found intriguing, and it is the same duality that makes it a valid symbol for any child about to dare a few steps out of the comfort zone. Whether the challenge at hand is overcoming personal obstacles or to prove, or expose, something to the outside world, the dragon is there to remind them that they can succeed. The name of the dragon, Våge, is the Norwegian verb that means to dare.
Medieval inspiration
The shape of Våge is as modern as a dragon can possibly get – but the texture of the beast is deeply rooted in norse tradition, inspired by the stave churches. The bulk of the stave churches of Norway was built between 1100 and 1350. The few that still remain leave spectators in awe of the mythological ornaments and their artful shapes – yet Stig Skjelvik found the roofs of the stave churches to be the most magnificent work of art, as they were a integrated part of the dragon head decorations. The entire body of Våge is therefore built in the exact same manner as the roof of a stave church.
The roof shingles of the stave churches are all shaped as, and overlap each other like, reptilian scales. To endure they were made of ore-pine.
Contemporary magic
Every dragon holds a bit of magic – and magic is what Stig Skjelvik has created underneath the dragons tactile, handcrafted armour. All hand painted with pine tar oil. At night the play in light reveals new patterns in the body and creates the illusion that the already dynamic figure, is in motion.
Art for All in the World
The project was developed in times that saw significant changes in the political landscape and Europe was facing an immense migrant crisis. The project wanted to shine light on these issues and as a consequence convey a message that all kinds of people are welcome to our city. Sandefjord has some strong players working with social entrepreneurship and Café Vintage was heavily involved in the project. The café offers training programs mainly for women and their families joined in as volunteers. Naper’n, a youth club at the city centre came along too as volunteers. It all played out very nicely as people from all over the world be it artists or refugees together painted ten murals in a two week period in July 2017. The project kicked off on July 3rd with the Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, opening the event. It all become a massive joint collaboration between businesses and volunteers and the following deserves a big thank you!
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Tenkt Stort, Tenk Sandefjord, Torp Lufthavn Sandefjord, Ramirent, Jotun, Scandic Park Sandefjord, Sandefjord Brann og Redning, Gleditsch fargehandel
You can find the murals at the following locations:
“Peace between nations” by Eduardo Kobra, Brazil – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Trekkfugl” by Aleksei Bordusov (AEC), Ukraine – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Nature for everyone” by Bart Smates Smeets, Belgium – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Stay with me” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“We are all refugees” by Matias Sabotajealmontaje, Tenerife – Restaurant Smak, Thor Dahlsgt. 9
“Våre refleksjoner” by Eric Okdeh, US – Parking lot at Storgata 7
“Vårt Sandefjord” by Eric Okdeh, US Storgata 6
“Birds don’t have borders” by Peacetu, Brazil/Norway, – By Café Vintage, between Kongensgate 1 and 3
“The fruits of love” by Luis Lopez Alberto, Peru/Chile – Chr. Hvidts Plass 1
“Never give up” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – At Coop Prix, Kongensgt. 1B
“There is more that what you see” by Victor Ash, France/Denmark – Stockfeldsgate 6-8
Art for All in the World was founded by Sharon and Peter Claesson. Art for All is a non-profit organisation working with communities across the globe to harness the power of art as a force for positive change. In 1995, Peter and Sharon's passion for their work led them to Quito, Ecuador for an education and awareness project for 6,000 street children living in the city. They led adventure tours to national parks outside the city. One day during the project, Peter and Sharon learned that there were children living in the prisons of Quito. They decided to visit the prisons and asked permission for these children to join their adventure trips as well. The prisons agreed, and after witnessing the joy of the children during the trips, Peter and Sharon recognized the need to create a more positive environment for these kids, one that would instill a sense of possibility and hope.
The project then evolved further with the creation of a series of murals on the prison walls and throughout Quito in areas in need of regeneration. This proved to be a transformative experience, not only for Sharon and Peter, but also for those involved with the project. Many of the prisoners went on to exhibit and sell work and secure jobs following their release. This defining moment in Quito was the launch pad for Sharon and Peter who realized the need for public art and the joy that comes from creating with a community. They have gone on to run projects across the globe under the banner of Art for All ever since. Their largest project to date is a project where they did 70 murals in 70 countries simultaneously. The project in Sandefjord is the first in Northern Europe.
An amazing artist Victor Ash from the Art for All family was unfortunately not able to come in 2017. However, in June 2018 he came and painted a mural where he interpreted the challenges we are facing with climate change. You can find the mural at Stockfeldsgate 6-8. In August 2018 a local artist Linn Horntvedt will do a piece in Stockfeldsgate too.
Sti for øye – Path for the eye
An art project that, in close collaboration with nature, affects everyone who visits the trail to give the senses free space. The path STI FOR ØYE is almost two kilometers long, available all year round.
The light designer Erik Selmer makes sure that the trail, nature and art are lit in an exciting and adventurous way. The lighting is automatically turned on every night at dusk and turned off at midnight.
The trail is made by the landscape architect Rainer Stange.
The path is covered in red rombeporfyr, "the red carpet", which is hardly anywhere else than in Stokke. The forest on both sides of the trail has Norway's richest incidence of laurel species. Each spring wood anemone cover the forest like a carpet. The area is also rich in birdlife, and each fall the chanterelle shows up in fine yellow bunches on the forest ground.
12 artists from 8 European countries were chosen to create their stories about the nature. The project started in 2001, and officially opened September 30, 2010.
The path is almost two kilometers long and winds its way towards Himmeltrappen (The Sky Stairs). From there, hikers have a clear view of Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg.
GROUP TOURS
Do you want a guided tour? STI FOR ØYE offers guided tours of one to two hours, or lectures followed by guided tours for groups of min. 10 people. Food and drink can also be offered. Get in touch for enquiries.
The Nesjar Monument
The monument was unveiled on St Olaf Day, 29th of July 2016.
The battle of Nesjar is looked upon as one of the most crucial sea battles in Norwegian history. Approximately 5000 men and 75 ships participated in the battle. Olav Haraldsson (Olaf the holy) won the battle against some of the most powerful chiefs of Svein Jarl. With this he ruled Norway, as the first king since Harald Fairhair. This laid the foundation for a structured state in Norway and the introduction of Christianity.
The battle of Nesjar is the first precise dated event in Norwegian history. Found in written sources such as "Heimskringla", "Fagerskinna", "Den legendariske Olavs-saga", "Flatøybok" and kvadet "Nesjarvisur" of Sigvat Skald. The battle of Nesjar was most likely located outside Værvågen/ ”behind” Mølen in Brunlanes.
Galleri Brown
The gallery is located in a small red house at the lower end of Sandefjord’s main promenade, by the historic Kurbadet.
The cosy gallery shop is ideal for those who appreciate art, craftsmanship and a calm, creative atmosphere. Here, the focus is on quality, closeness and authentic handmade work. The gallery is small, personal and carefully curated, offering attentive guidance and helping visitors find art that truly resonates. At Gallery Brown, you don’t just purchase a product – you take home a unique work of art with a story.
Gallery Brown is run by Rita Lysebo Egren and Unn Holvik Stenersen, who have operated the gallery in these premises since 2014. Rita Lysebo Egren is a ceramic designer, while Unn Holvik Stenersen is a visual artist and printmaker. In addition to their own work in ceramics, painting and printmaking, the gallery also exhibits and sells works by other Norwegian artists and craftspeople.
Adjacent to Gallery Brown are two well-equipped workshops where visitors can take part in courses or rent workspace for independent work. Unn runs a printmaking studio offering courses and independent work in lithography, relief printing and intaglio. Rita runs a ceramics studio with opportunities for courses and independent work at the wheel or through hand-building techniques.
Open Thursday-Saturday, but it is also possible to contact Rita and Unn outside opening hours.
Rita Lysebo Egren tel: +47 97034240 email: ritaegren@yahoo.no
Unn Holvik Stenersen tel: +47 40511310 email: unnelisabeth@icloud.com