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| Text: Magne Rudjord Photo: Kjersti Myrehagen |
Stimuli on the road Travel is a dynamic experience. The most important aspect of travel is of course to get from one place to another, but stopping along the way for a break is an integral part of it.Throughout history art has mostly been an urban phenomenon. The Norwegian preoccupation with landscape and its position in art is quite unique in the western world. The peoples of Mediterranean cultures built cathedrals and went into them. In Scandinavia, nature is our «spiritual room», and art a part of our everyday lives. If we think about how much time people spend in cars and on the road, it is odd that so little art is to be found there. In our Scandinavian countries, the said landscape has traditionally been the ideal, with as little intervention as possible. One can observe in other areas, in Southern Europe for instance, a veritable forest of signs and commercial advertisements along the highways, which in Scandinavian countries would be considered almost as pollution. A «Kick» Along the Way The highway can be seen as a transitional zone; a borderline between nature and culture. The Department of highways, as well as others, have traditionally been concerned about the distracting effect billboards, posters and other objects along the roadside might have on the driver. One can willingly admit that many works of art could have such an effect. On the other hand, quite different works could have the effect of even awakening the driver to continued alertness in a traffic situation! Art along the highway would be a challenge for artists as well, with the situational limitations it implies. Not as a replacement for a contemplative art experience, but rather as a challenge to meet the dynamic element of the situation. An eyecatcher in an otherwise monotonous journey. A «kick». Renewed Energy Relaxation can just as well be energizing. We have rest stops along the road where we can eat, stretch our legs, and think about something other than traffic. At the rest stop the traveller is looking for other impressions than those which driving provides. Here the works of art could be more complicated and requiring more time for observation. In the static atmosphere of the rest stop, where the traveller is at ease in order to gather strength for the continuation of the journey, the work of art could provide renewed energy for the trip. Not all outdoor art has to consist of placing objects in a landscape. There is a wealth of technology that is just waiting to be used. The use of light alone could create unusual results. Imagine driving by a bright red oak tree on a dark winter night! Or why not light up a tunnel in an untraditional way, for instance with bright blue lights - a «Blue Grotto»! This is a technique that is well-known as in the floodlighting of churches and the like. What is new is is using it in unexpected places, and on unexpected objects. Little Intervention, Great Effect On the Norwegian state highway E-18, just before the exit for Risør on the southbound side, is a little tunnel, perhaps 50 meters long. Over the entrance to the tunnel is a sign that reads: SØRLANDSPORTEN (Gateway to Southern Norway). It could not possibly have cost much to install, but the effect is enormous. Most travellers know the sign, orient themselves according to it, and ask: «how far are we from "Sørlandsporten?"» The psychological effect is great: after having passed through the tunnel, you are in Southern Norway. If you were to ask where the border is between Telemark (Eastern Norway) and Aust-Agder (Southern Norway), you would certainly have greater difficulties in finding someone who could answer. This article is part of a larger project concerning state highway E-6 between Østfold and Bohuslän(Norway/Sweden), carried out by the artists Peder Josefsson and Magne Rudjord. |
