Project series:

Skog vil seia samfunn

Randi Nygård

Opening on the 24th April 2025.

Skog vil seia samfunn (Forest Means Society), Nygård’s long-term project for Volt, is installed in the Kronstad area of Bergen near the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Skog vil seia samfunn is inspired by a method developed by Japanese ecologist and botanist Akira Miyawaki, whereby various native tree species are planted close together to create mini forests in urban spaces. These forests then purify the air, reduce noise, bind carbon and attract numerous animals and insects. Also known as ‘pocket forests’, they serve as micro-habitats that are considered to be particularly rich in species.

Drawing inspiration from the variety of lifeforms these ‘pocket forests’ contain, Nygård has created a sculpture. During the course of Skog vil seia samfunn, a number of public events will be held relating to themes from the project, featuring people from a number of different fields, including art, biology, cultural science and philosophy.

Randi Nygård

Randi Nygård is an artist based in Oslo. She has a master’s degree from Trondheim Academy of Fine Art and has participated in numerous exhibitions, including: Chilean Pavilion, Venice Biennale; Contemporary Art Centre, Thessaloniki; Kunstverein Springhornhof; and New Museum, New York. Nygård is part of several collaborative projects such as Ensayos, Meander and Paviljong Våtmark. In 2023, Nygård received a ten-year Government Grant for Artists.

Artist: Randi Nygård

Curator: Marie Nerland

Bronze: Eirik Brøslid, Hageland Kunst- og Metallstøperi

3D model: Hans Christian Skovholt og Lesya

Landscape architect: Anna Wathne, Asplan Viak

Trees: Aboretum, The University Garden, University of Bergen

Ground work, paving: Evrika Subi, Jans Hageservice

Concrete: Sundt & Morstøl AS

Sign: Atle Tokvam, A2G

Skog vil seia samfunn i is supported by City of Bergen’s council for art in public spaces and Public Art Norway. Volt’s programme is supported by City of Bergen and Arts and Culture Norway. With thanks to the Aboretum, The University Garden, University of Bergen; The Miyawaki Institute; the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Statsbygg.

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