Norway Bound: Part 1

We were told that if we wanted to go to the fjords in Norway, it would be best to go during the summer months. Weather is a huge factor as the rains increase and the temperatures drop. This is why we left the states a couple of weeks before classes began at SVF...to fulfill a Bucket List dream of seeing the fjords when it wasn't freezing and/or snowing.

This "chapter" of Norway Bound features the first leg of the trip in getting to the fjords with a six hour bus trip to Oslo, Norway. We arrived in Oslo in the afternoon, checked into our hotel, and immediately set off to walk to Vigeland Park.

Gustav Vigeland is considered to be Norway's greatest sculptor. From 1924-1943, he designed 192 bronze and granite sculpture groupings (600 actual figures) and Oslo was made a better destination by these beautiful, naked figures in an outdoor park environment. (At first, the nakedness is awkward to view; my sister reported that when her family went to the park many, many years ago that the boys guffawed that they didn't know where they should look!) The figures are children, women, men, couples, families, and the elderly. Some radiate joy and love; some are disturbingly raw with angst and conflict. It is reported that Vigeland never named his pieces or explained what they were about. To me, his sculptures were all about the realities of life - in and out of relationships.

All of these sculptures lead to the huge monolith - the "centerpiece" of the park.

And, what a monolith this is with 121 granite figures carved out of a single piece of stone.

Vigeland made a full-size plaster model of this piece and then 3 stone carvers worked daily for 14 years to make the 180 ton, 50 foot tall monument. I studied this work during my time at North Park as an Art Major, but seeing this in person KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF! (I actually had no socks on as I was wearing sandals, but if socks were worn, they would have been blown off.)

Here's a closeup.

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Below is one of my favorite granite sculptures.

Right in the park, we had the best meal at this outdoor cafe. (Homemade sandwich with mushrooms and greens; a soup with beans, vegetables and apples, yes apples in the soup.) Even though it looks light outside, it was about 8:30 pm when this picture was taken. Then back to our hotel with the smallest room we have ever encountered in all our travels. And that small bed was most welcomed after a full day of travel and sculpture inspiration.

The next "chapter" of  Norway Bound will be on experiencing the fjords via boat. Rain is included.