Photographing and approaching the Oslo Opera House in Norway I came to the conclusion that the building has similarities with structures of pyramides.

Shapes that appeared continiously in the architectural concept by Norwegian Snøhetta are the triangle and the combination of two forms to a rectangle.

Small stairways with small steps led up on the side of the building cornering the triangle shaped seating area and bear similarities with the skyline of ancient pyramid structures.

The shadow on the side of the building added another layer to the building enlarging it by means of natural light.

As in my curatorial concepts, last in the exhibition ‘Creation by Natur’ by young Austrian artist Anna Werzowa in May/ June 2019, shadows are a main importance in my curatorial practice as this way the art can be put in perspective with the existing architecture. The newly created  art sculpture ‘Flight of the Dragonfly’, 2019 by Anna Werzowa was set in her exhibition in a triangle shape to  counterposition the art work with the existing architecture  of the Bell Tower on Schlossberg Mountain dating from the 15th century and by means of falling in daylight and artificial light, created shadows that prolonged the quadryptichon sculpture onto the surrounding walls of the landmark.

The light played an essential role in Snøhetta’s architectural concept too and by means of a large glass structure in the middle of the building that span from one side to the other and standing on the side slopes allowed to view the entire space inside from the outside. Mirroring glass reflecting sunlight created an additional conceptual level which I often include in my curatorial work as well.

In case of the contemporary architecture of the Oslo Opera a sculpture by the Danish Islandic artist Olafur Eliasson created light in the corners of the building that were not reached by daylight and as well spun the structure of the sculpture consisting of small triangle shapes  as well due to the glass structure near the sculpture that mirrored it to infinity.

As mentioned above the building has a clear reference to the ancient building methods of pyramides which Snøhetta brought to the Here and Now of contemporary Architecture and Art.

All my best,

Daniela Haberz, M.A.

Independent Art Advisor

AØH Art Consultancy Haberz E.u.

Photo Credits: Daniela Haberz, M.A. for AØH Art Consultancy Haberz E.u.