Norway’s Groundbreaking Art Museum, Kunstsilo, Opens May 2024 – Rlane Studios Gallery Site

Norway will soon get a ground-breaking new museum. On May 11, 2024, Kunstsilo, located in Kristiansand, Southern Norway, opens its doors. Set inside a meticulously restored grain silo, Kunstsilo boasts three floors of immersive art and is a fusion of the Southern Norway Art Museum and the prestigious Tangen Collection.

Beyond a traditional museum, Kunstsilo offers a space for interactive digital art, and international exhibitions. Offering captivating views of the region’s spectacular coastline, the space will also serve as a venue for lectures, concerts, dining experiences, workshops and events.

“After six years of planning we are delighted to today announce the opening of Kunstsilo. This new museum will offer visitors to Kristiansand an awe-inspiring venue that puts them at once close to art and the city’s natural beauty. We are proud to be working closely with the Tangen Collection as custodians of one of the world’s greatest Nordic art collections and putting it on view in one building for the first time,” says Reidar Fuglestad, CEO of Kunstsilo.

This heritage preservation project was designed by Mestres Wåge Arquitectes and MX_SI Architectural Studio. They worked hard to transform a functionalist architectural gem designed by the celebrated architects Arne Korsmo and Sverre Aasland in 1935, into a world-class cultural venue.

The heart of Kunstsilo is the Tangen Collection, the world’s largest private collection of Nordic art, curated by celebrated local art patron Nicolai Tangen. The collection holds over 5,500 works by more than 300 artists from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The collection is sure to leave an indelible mark on the global art landscape.

The inaugural exhibition, ‘Passions of the North,’ promises a journey through Nordic art’s dynamic evolution. Inspired by conceptual themes drawn from literary giants like Thomas Hardy and Virginia Woolf, the exhibition explores the dynamics between society, community, mechanical and organic aspects, and the contrast between rural and urban life. Unfolding through 25 rooms, each adorned with distinctive moods and pastel colours, the exhibition showcases over 700 works from the Tangen Collection made between 1910 to 1990, emphasizing a multifaceted perspective on Modern art and its reflection of life in the rapidly changing 20^th century.

‘Showing the Tangen Collection in Kristiansand has long been a dream of mine and the Kunstsilo is a venue like no other. With its impressive architecture, views of the ocean and a vision to transform the appreciation of Nordic modern art, Kunstsilo will be a game changer. The museum looks forward to welcoming visitors from May,’ says Nicolai Tangen. Board Member of Kunstsilo and Founder of the Tangen Collection.

Kunstsilo will not merely be a museum but rather a transformative experience where art, architecture, and nature converge to captivate visitors and redefine the appreciation of Nordic modern art. An opening weekend of events and activities will invite families, visitors and locals alike to join in the celebrations for Kunstsilo’s inauguration.

As Kunstsilo gears up for its grand opening on May 11, 2024, excitement is building in Kristiansand. The result of six years of planning and architectural restoration, Kunstsilo stands as a unique fusion of history and modernity. Nicolai Tangen’s vision of showcasing the Tangen Collection in this exceptional venue is about to be realized. With its remarkable architecture, stunning ocean views, and a mission to redefine the appreciation of Nordic modern art, Kunstsilo is not just a museum but a dynamic cultural hub. The opening weekend will feature a variety of events for everyone to enjoy, marking the beginning of Kunstsilo’s journey as a transformative space for art enthusiasts and the local community. Stay tuned for more details in early 2024.