2021 program and events

As soon as possible, prioritizing health and safety precautions due to COVID-19, we will open Sal Merz, a completely new exhibition hall for avant-garde art at Henie Onstad. In the new gallery, the public will be invited to the exhibition, Merz! Flux! Pop!, presenting works from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB’s collection together with key works from Henie Onstad’s collections, says Tone Hansen, director of Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

While the museum center is currently closed, the entire sculpture park remains open, and a separate window exhibition displays a selection of recently purchased works. In addition, new online content is regularly released on Henie Onstad Kunstsenter’s digital platform: Henie Onstad Art Channel. Here, you can experience free online tours of exhibits. Both staff and center are ready to receive guests as soon as the authorities give the go-ahead.

Some adjustments have been made to the program as a result of the temporary closure: two major exhibitions, Nils-Aslak Valkeapää / Áillohaš and Otobong Nkanga - Uncertain Where the Next Wind Blows, were scheduled to open in the autumn of 2020. Unfortunately, this was not possible; however, the center has managed to extend these two exhibitions until May 2021. Consequently, the presentation of Niki de Saint Phalle’s work is rescheduled for the autumn of 2022.

For the very first time, the Henie Onstad Collection will be presented in three, very different, parallel exhibitions: the first, in Sal Haaken, will focus on Nordic post-war art, artist books, and posters; the second, in the Prisma- Galleries, will feature original works donated by Sonja Henie and Niels Onstad; the third will be part of the new presentation in Sal Merz, the art center’s brand new exhibition hall.

Program 2021:

Nils-Aslak Valkeapää / Áillohaš
Extended to May 2
This is the largest retrospective exhibition to date of the works of the Sami artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää / Áillohaš (1943-2001).

Otobong Nkanga
Uncertain Where the Next Wind Blows
Extended to May 23
As the first recipient of The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award Program, Otobong Nkanga is presented in a solo exhibition at Henie Onstad. The exhibition, originally scheduled to open on November 13, 2020, has yet to be seen by an audience and will open as soon as possible.

Art Behind the Glass
A new window exhibition at Høvikodden displays a selection of newly acquired works; currently highlighting artists: Anna Daniell (b. 1978), Espen Gleditsch (b. 1983), Jorunn Hancke Øgstad (b. 1979), and Morten Andenæs (b. 1979). The presentation will be displayed until the art center’s galleries reopen.

Our Inner Beasts
Until April 3, 2023
A large installation by Inghild Karlsen from 2016, newly purchased for the Henie Onstad collection.

An exhilarating experience for a young mind - The Henie Onstad Collection curated by Elise Storsveen
Until April 3, 2023
The exhibition is divided into two parts. One part shows mainly Nordic visual art from 1950 to today. The second part contains works on paper, such as posters, graphics, and artist books.

Merz! Flux! Pop!
March 18—May 29, 2022
The exhibition presents Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948) in collaboration with his contemporary colleagues and other artists in the avant-garde tradition, subsequently inspired by him.

150 Years of Photo History
350 Works from the Møller Collection
June 23—September 19, 2021
For the first time, the public will have the opportunity to see one of Norway’s largest private photo collections. This large exhibition affords unique insights into 150 years of photo history through a selection of 350 photographs. Iconic images and unknown works by Norwegian and international photographers tell stories about the significant events and people who have shaped our time, but also about forgotten moments, anonymous passers-by, and of nature’s subtle changes.

The Gift
The Original Paintings
June 23—October 3, 2021
The exhibition will present Sonja Henie and Niels Onstad’s original collections, the foundation of Henie Onstad Kunstsenter’s permanent collection. There will be several interventions to the collection’s curation during the exhibition period by a selection of contemporary artists.

Suzanne Lacy
October 21—February 6, 2022
Suzanne Lacy is a conceptually minded feminist who, among other things, works with strong images created through performance. As part of the exhibition, a new work will be created and presented during the Ultima Festival of contemporary music in Oslo and in collaboration with KORO.