Kunsthuset Kabuso: Art and nature come together in Hardanger

The picturesque Hardangerfjord has more to offer than just stunning nature. In the small village of Øystese, lies the arts centre Kunsthuset Kabuso. Since 2006, it has been home to art exhibitions, music and other cultural events.

Integrated with Kunsthuset Kabuso is the Ingebrigt Vik museum, built in 1934 and named after the Norwegian sculptor. Though Vik was not as well-known as his contemporary – the famous sculptor Gustav Vigeland – he was no less talented. In fact, many prefer Vik’s sculptors to Vigeland’s, as Vik’s style is more lifelike.

From 11 June 2022, a new exhibition at Ingebrigt Vik Museum will showcase Vik’s completed sculptures and artist sketches, with the aim of showing new sides of the sculptor.

As well as the Vik exhibition, a few metres form the Hardangerfjord, you will find an unassuming, octagonal building with an open roof. This is Hardanger Skypace – an art installation by American artist James Turell. Twice a day, at dusk and dawn, the room is filled with coloured light.

Though western Norway gets a lot of rain, don’t let that keep you from visiting Skyspace. “It’s spectacular!” says Karen Noer Korssjøen at Kabuso, “The coloured light will affect how you see the sky. You’ll see it as green one moment, then it’s clear blue, but it’s raining at the same time.”

Skyspace is a permanent artwork, open all year. “The experience will be different every time, as it’s affected by weather, season and the sky itself,” Korssjøen explains.

Photo: Katrine Helgheim van Tulder

Web: www.kabuso.no