Melberg’s curator and owner of Gallery Maria Veie in Norway, Maria Veie, explains that the “Public Project” status also involves a prime spot in the exhibition hall. Being the only Nordic gallery participating in the expo, Gallery Maria Veie also features two other young Norwegians; photographer Linn Pedersen and painter Johannes Høie in the “Art Futures” category.
Gallery Maria Veie first opened in Veie’s hometown Levanger, which is a small village in the scarcely populated central part of Norway. Today, the innovative gallery is enjoying international acclaim, and has its base in Oslo, but the original Levanger branch still exists as an essential part of the concept. Veie wishes to promote her hometown at Art HK, and is passionate about stimulating art outside the capital. She is very excited to be the only Norwegian participant and describes Art HK as “the gallery Olympics”.
Melberg’s installation is a large unspectacular wooden box. At least from the outside. As you enter, the interior is completely covered with beads, glossy photos and mosaic tiles. The only source of light comes from a rotating cylinder lit by metallic lamps and the floor and ceiling is adorned with sixty thousand tiny mirrors, making the viewer a central part of the piece. The only hint that books, or in this case boxes, should not be judged by their covers is the curious sound of Melberg’s heart, manipulated to sound slightly like a soft techno beat.
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