I’ve lost track of the art scene in Trondheim. I no longer know when the next exhibition at Galleri Blunk or the Art Museum opens, and I have lost overview of either small or large artist-driven initiatives in the city. For the most part, I don’t know what my fellow artists are up to, or when the institutions will open their doors for the next exhibition or event. The reason for this is not (only) that I’ve become a parent, but rather that the art flow in Trondheim has grown so strong that the best thing one can do is float along with it.
When I moved to Trondheim thirteen years ago, the art flow was beautiful and small, smaller than Nidelva. It was actually striking that a city with such a large river had such a small art scene, I thought. Since then, it’s been a joy to watch how the scene has slowly but surely grown in step with the city’s most defining geographical feature. The diversity has increased enormously, with new and old institutions, artists, associations, friendships, discourses, and maybe even the occasional polemic. Behind all this lies work.
As an artist, I know how much work goes into it. When we go to work, we create exhibitions, run studios and exhibition spaces, participate in public debate, teach, learn, and mentor. Now that the art flow in Trondheim has grown so strong that even the most up-to-date audience can lose track, Trondheim Open sails in like a spacious boat with room for all.
During Trondheim Open 2024, the city’s artists open their doors to the public, colleagues, and anyone else who wants to see the place where art is made. While art institutions tend to focus on artistic processes that have reached clear milestones, Trondheim Open is a place where the journey toward the next milestone always continues. The festival is a celebration of artistic production, and we invite everyone to become a part of it through studio visits, workshops, panel discussions, and exhibitions.
I’m personally most excited to once again see which direction Trondheim’s art flow is heading. See you at the festival!
– Tobias Liljedahl, chair of Trondheim Open
