Ekebergparken: Art, out in the woods

Ekebergparken is unique, an outdoor museum. It’s a trek through the historic, hilly forest of Ekeberg where Iron Age grave mounds and Bronze Age ritual sites lie. The sculptures spread across the 63-hectare park are the treats, so to speak. Your curiosity, if not the love for art, makes you seek out the next piece. If completed, then it’s a day’s worth of cardiovascular exercise and a priceless addition to treasured memories.

A water feature in the park.

When the sculptural park on Oslo-owned property was inaugurated in September 2013 through the initiative and financing of art collector Christian Ringnes, there were 31 sculptures installed, all owned by the man’s foundation.

One of my favorites. Matt Jognson's  "Levitating Woman" ( 2013. Bronze, 76 × 213 × 99 cm.). Its location & the season  was perfect.

Look at this from different angles. Tony Cragg's "Cast Glances" (2002. Bronze, 240 × 190 cm.)

"Ace of Diamonds" (2004.Stainless steel, 700 × 250 cm.) by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick.

The kids are loving it! "Möbius triple" (Möbius Triple. 1998. Diabase, 95 × 140 × 125 cm.) is by Aase Texmon Rygh, a Norwegian modernism pioneer.

Of the 31, I knew it was the published image that I had to see first. I viewed the oscillating tightly hugging silver figures hovering between trees, glistening in the morning sun from afar, near and under. Louise Bourgeois’ “The Couple” in aluminum was larger than life.

The other figure I sought out was in silver, a figure of a curvaceous, full-figured sensual woman. The image it represented is recognizable to many and British artist Richard Hudson’s is successful in that aspect. His organic art style molded a “Marilyn Monroe” from stainless steel.

Curvaceous & full-figured, RIchard Hudon's "Marilyn Monroe"

Yep, the hips are real. :)

The third sculpture in painted bronze might just be the most popular among the lot maybe because it’s along the walking path and anyone can “walk with it”, maybe because it’s so lifelike down to the detail of beads of perspiration or because it’s surprisingly tall for a woman who strides through the woods with intention. Sean Henry’s 7-footer “Walking Woman” attempts to heighten the spectator’s awareness of art and the nature around it.

Sean Henry’s 7-footer “Walking Woman” attempts to heighten the spectator’s awareness of art and the nature around it

I can feel the perspiration dripping on her face.

It's Des' turn to walk with the lady.

One can’t help go near Diane Maclean’s “Open Book”. Standing in front of her artwork, I became part of her piece as the pages reflected an image of me standing before a forest. This was what Maclean wanted to project— “blending books and knowledge with nature and its landscapes.”

Be one with the masterpiece. DIane Maclean's "Open Book" reflects her intention- to blend books & knowledge with nature

I became part of the story.

What I thought I would only see inside a museum can be found here, exposed to the elements. With the 21st century artworks are the older bronze pieces of the masters— Auguste Renoir’s 1914 “Venus Victrix” and 1917 “La grande laveuse”; Auguste Rodin’s 1881 “Eva” and the “Cariatide tombee a l’urne”; and Salvador Dali’s “Venus Milo aux tiroirs.”

Washing clothes. Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "La grande Laveuse" (1914-1916. Bronze, 122 × 134 cm.)

After the fall from grace…. Auguste Rodin's "Eva" (1881. Bronze, 84 cm.)

Salvador Dali's "Venus de Milo aux tiroirs" (1936.Bronse, 220 cm.)

Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Venus Victrix" (1914-1916. Bronze, 180 cm.) aka Venus the Conqueror, depicts the goddess of love who has vanquished her competitors

With funding set aside, the Ekibergparken is planning to acquire more pieces to total 80 sculptures in the future. With this year’s plan to add more trails, water details plus the addition of 25 new sculptures, it would be an exciting thought to revisit this park soon.

Buy Buseyne's "Reflections" (2006) was inspired by Rodin's "The Thinker"

It's placed near the park's sandbox & often children keep it company. For example: see photo below.

Keeping her company & doing my own reflecting.

From a page on a magazine to real time, Ekiberparken- checked.