The Norwegian capital has a brand new space for the exhibition of sculptures by some of the world's most renowned artists, both historical and contemporary: Ekeberg Park, established by an initiative of collector and philanthropist Christian Ringnes, who invested more than 30 million pounds to make these sculptures accessible to all. The open-air museum is located on an elevation with a view of the entire city of Oslo. Some of the artists whose works are featured throughout the park are Rodin, Renoir, Tony Cragg, Marina Abramovic, James Turrell, Jenny Holzer, and Louise Bourgeois.
Despite Ringnes' altruistic intent of making art a universal, open experience and his renovation of a long-abandoned site, some voices have risen in opposition to the private use of a public space in the city. Also, when Ringnes proposed that the park's central theme were a tribute to women, some protested the notion as sexist and old-fashioned. The Ekeberg Park art collection is now supervised by a committee of city officials and leaders of important local arts institutions; with Ringnes' financing, the committee has installed infrared security systems and seismic sensors, as well as specialized surveillance to prevent vandalism.
After its well-attended inauguration, public perception of the sculpture park has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has been said that just the opportunity of seeing Turrell's work with its magnificent use of light or Abramovic's Munch-inspired video-installation that encourages viewers to join in the Norwegian painter's famous scream, suffice to make this into a uniquely significant experience for all art lovers.
Admission into the park's 25-hectare open space is free, 24 hours a day. Some of the 31 sculptures on exhibit were commissioned specifically for the site, while others come from Ringnes' early-Twentieth Century bronze sculpture collection. Two sculptures will be added to the collection every year, until completing 80.