Major New Modern and Contemporary Art Museum Coming to Norway's Trondheim
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Loading... - Sophie Bakker
- 18 Oct 2024
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Trondheim, Norway's third-largest city, is set to welcome a groundbreaking new museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, named PoMo. Scheduled to open on February 15, 2024, PoMo will be housed in a beautifully renovated art nouveau post office building, marking a significant addition to the region's cultural landscape.
PoMo aims to redefine the art scene in Trondheim, with a particular focus on addressing gender representation within museum collections. The museum has committed to dedicating a minimum of 60 percent of its acquisitions budget to women artists, a bold initiative designed to combat the longstanding gender inequality prevalent in many art institutions. This commitment reflects a broader movement within the art world to create more inclusive and equitable spaces.
The museum's permanent collection will feature an impressive array of works by renowned artists, including French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois, German artist Katharina Fritsch, American contemporary artist Simone Leigh, and French multimedia artist Philippe Parreno. In addition to its permanent collection, PoMo will host two major temporary exhibitions each year, alongside a variety of educational programs and community events aimed at engaging both local residents and international visitors.
Spanning five floors and over 43,000 square feet (approximately 4,000 square meters), the revitalized post office building is the result of a collaborative design effort between celebrated designer India Mahdavi and Norwegian architect Erik Langdalen. The museum will feature three floors of galleries, a basement dedicated to events and educational initiatives, a library nestled in the eaves, and a top floor that will house reception areas and administrative offices.
India Mahdavi expressed her vision for the museum, stating, “I wanted this museum to feel inviting and inclusive, engaging both the local community and the international art crowd. It’s about reconnecting the local community with the city center and their own history, while simultaneously offering a fresh experience that welcomes the world.”
Marit Album Kvernmo, the museum's director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive visitor experience. She stated, “[We are] bringing world-class modern and contemporary art to enrich the cultural life of our city and reimagining our historic building to provide an accessible and intuitive experience for our visitors.”
PoMo will kick off its inaugural exhibition, titled "Postcards from the Future," which will explore the museum's roots in Trondheim's former Post Office. This exhibition will showcase pieces from its own collection alongside high-profile national and international loans, setting the stage for what promises to be a vibrant and dynamic addition to Norway's cultural landscape.
As PoMo prepares to open its doors, it stands poised to become a significant player in the contemporary art world, fostering dialogue around gender representation and accessibility while enriching the cultural fabric of Trondheim and beyond.
