Art for climate's sake

Artist Magne Furuholmen follows up on his attention-getting "CLIMAX" aluminium sculpture with a new exhibition sponsored by Hydro. "ANTICLIMAX” also draws on the threat from climate change.

February 8, 2008

ARTIST: In his new gallery exhibition, Magne Furuholmen, also known as a member of the Norwegian music group a-ha, once again calls attention to the climate challenge. (Photo: Marius Rosbach)

The "ANTICLIMAX" show opened Sunday, February 10, at Studio Hugo Opdal in Ulsteinvik, near Ålesund in northwestern Norway.

ALUMINIUM: Prints like this one in aluminium and black pigment will by on exhibit at the gallery. (Courtesy Magne Furuholmen)

“ANTICLIMAX” features prints of aluminium and black pigment on paper as well as an installation of unique temporary sculptures in snow and ice covered in aluminium. As the snow and ice melt, the changing pieces mirror the effects of global warming.

Gallery owner Hugo Opdal is planning a webcast documenting the show, so viewers from around the world can view the works.

Furuholmen, also known as a member of the music group a-ha, has been active as an artist for more than a decade, with works in collections and exhibitions around the world.

The new works are “mental flotsam and jetsam” from his work resulting in the “CLIMAX” project, Furuholmen says. A smaller version of “CLIMAX” will also be at the new exhibition.

Opdal is an enthusiastic fan of Furholmen’s art work. “I’ve followed his work for many years. I very much like what’s he’s doing. I asked him to do this show, and luckily he said yes.

“The studio is 100 meters from the sea. You can see the effect climate change would have here.”