Vågsbunnens stemmer
Kunsthall 3,14 invited to a unveiling of an 18-meter-long, co-created painting at Nedre Korskirkeallmenningen – made in collaboration with the local communities of Vågsbunnen! The unveiling was accompanied with celebrations – live music, speeches and storytelling.
The painting is one of the highlights of the project Vågsbunnen Stemmer, which explores what the area means to those who live, work, and engage there today. The project marks the beginning of new life taking root in the area. Throughout the summer, neighbors, youth, people affected by addiction, and other engaged local actors in Vågsbunnen have painted together.
You can read more about the project here.
Vågsbunnen is one of Bergen’s most historically rich neighborhoods. After decades of social challenges and being home to one of Northern Europe’s largest open drug scenes, the area is now undergoing change. Vågsbunnen Stemmer aims to be a unifying cultural and social project in this transformation.
The event kicked off on Culture Night with a concert outside Korskirken, followed by the unveiling of the painting by City Commissioner for Social Affairs, Charlotte Spurkeland, a speech by Jennifer Lund (Kirkens Bymisjon/Forandringshuset), and an introduction to the painting by Gitte Sætre. In a collective drawing session, the public is invited to draw possible futures for Vågsbunnen, and share stories and memories regarding the area over a cup of coffee. The celebrations continued the next day. The old iron balcony above Godt Brød bakery became the centre point for storytelling: Whose voices can we hear at Vågsbunnen today? The storytelling is curated by the performance artist and founder of Bergen Improteaeter, Marlene Rom Rysstad.
The project is led by Kunsthall 3,14’s debate editor Gitte Sætre, and inspired by the Fresco Brothers – a group of Norwegian painters in the 1930s, known for their monumental murals in Oslo City Hall and Bergen Børs, which contributed to nation-building efforts. This project challenges that tradition by opening the creative process to diverse communities and voices from the neighborhood. Through painting, dialogue, and moments of quiet focus, participants have explored ideas of neighborhood, collaboration, diversity, and responsibility.
The painting tells the story of Vågsbunnen – of what has been, what is, and how the city’s diversity of people shapes its vitality today.
Vågsbunnen Stemmer is a collaboration between Kunsthall 3,14, Kirkens Bymisjon, Forandringshuset V13, Huset Bergen, Bergen Sentrum AS, Bergen Chamber of Commerce – along with local restaurants, shops, and organizations.
Kunsthall 3,14 invited to a unveiling of an 18-meter-long, co-created painting at Nedre Korskirkeallmenningen – made in collaboration with the local communities of Vågsbunnen! The unveiling was accompanied with celebrations – live music, speeches and storytelling.
The painting is one of the highlights of the project Vågsbunnen Stemmer, which explores what the area means to those who live, work, and engage there today. The project marks the beginning of new life taking root in the area. Throughout the summer, neighbors, youth, people affected by addiction, and other engaged local actors in Vågsbunnen have painted together.
You can read more about the project here.
Vågsbunnen is one of Bergen’s most historically rich neighborhoods. After decades of social challenges and being home to one of Northern Europe’s largest open drug scenes, the area is now undergoing change. Vågsbunnen Stemmer aims to be a unifying cultural and social project in this transformation.
The event kicked off on Culture Night with a concert outside Korskirken, followed by the unveiling of the painting by City Commissioner for Social Affairs, Charlotte Spurkeland, a speech by Jennifer Lund (Kirkens Bymisjon/Forandringshuset), and an introduction to the painting by Gitte Sætre. In a collective drawing session, the public is invited to draw possible futures for Vågsbunnen, and share stories and memories regarding the area over a cup of coffee. The celebrations continued the next day. The old iron balcony above Godt Brød bakery became the centre point for storytelling: Whose voices can we hear at Vågsbunnen today? The storytelling is curated by the performance artist and founder of Bergen Improteaeter, Marlene Rom Rysstad.
The project is led by Kunsthall 3,14’s debate editor Gitte Sætre, and inspired by the Fresco Brothers – a group of Norwegian painters in the 1930s, known for their monumental murals in Oslo City Hall and Bergen Børs, which contributed to nation-building efforts. This project challenges that tradition by opening the creative process to diverse communities and voices from the neighborhood. Through painting, dialogue, and moments of quiet focus, participants have explored ideas of neighborhood, collaboration, diversity, and responsibility.
The painting tells the story of Vågsbunnen – of what has been, what is, and how the city’s diversity of people shapes its vitality today.
Vågsbunnen Stemmer is a collaboration between Kunsthall 3,14, Kirkens Bymisjon, Forandringshuset V13, Huset Bergen, Bergen Sentrum AS, Bergen Chamber of Commerce – along with local restaurants, shops, and organizations.