13 international artists have been chosen to participate in Phase II of the ”Peer Gynt” competition

This international competition, expected to run for several years, has attracted 52 international artists from 10 countries to submit more than 100 sketches depicting scenes from the play “Peer Gynt”. Moving on to Phase II, the Jury has selected 13 artists from 6 countries to submit models of their sketches. The artists come from Norway, USA, Germany, Sweden and Spain. Together their models will cover 8 scenes from “Peer Gynt”.

”Selvaag Gruppen has a tradition of using sculptures for the public to enjoy”, says Selvaag Gruppen’s CEO. “We are extremely pleased that so many artists wanted to take part in our competition, and we sincerely hope that when the next round of the competition is announced sometime later this year, it will attract many more to participate, both established and young, upcoming sculptors”. “ It is my opinion that most people have not fully understood what a significant cultural contribution this is for our city”, said Oslo’s Mayor Per Ditlev-Simonsen, when he launched the competition in November last year. Three sculptures have already been commissioned. The sculptures will be placed at Løren in Oslo during the commemoration of Ibsen in 2006. The three commissioned sculptures will be carved by Elena Engelsen/Per Ung, Jim Dine and Enzo Cucchi. The Jury is made up of Peder Lund (Lund Fine Art), Kim Brandstrup (Galleri Brandstrup), Kirsten Kokkin (sculptor), Vigdis Ystad (Centre for Ibsen Studies), Ellen Horn (head of the Norwegian National Touring Company - Riksteateret) and Ole Gunnar Selvaag (CEO of the Selvaag Gruppen). Løren’s answer to Munch and Vigeland In Oslo the internationally famous Norwegian artists Munch and Vigeland are honored with the Munch Museum and the Vigeland Park. The writer Henrik Ibsen is also world famous, but there are few monumental depictions of his works. The Selvaag Group decided to commemorate Ibsen by decorating Oslo’s new residential district, Løren, with scenes from his play “Peer Gynt”. For further information please contact Ole Gunnar Selvaag or Marit Albertsen, tel: +47 23 13 71 08, mob: +47 91 58 25 60 or see the competition website http://peergynt.selvaag.no