Invitation to International Pre-Qualification. Bergen Bybane Art Project, Strømmen

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On behalf of the City of Bergen Public Art Commission , the Committee for Bergen Bybane Art Program invites Norwegian and international artists to express their interest in a closed competition for a water and/or light-based work. This project is supported by KORO (Public Art Norway) through its public space program.

About Bybanen
Bybanen is a light-rail system currently under construction in Bergen and the first rail system of its kind in Norway. This system will comprise the backbone of the city’s future infrastructure for collective transport. The first phase, to be completed in the summer of 2010, will extend the line from City Park in Bergen to the urban center of Nesttun, approx. 10 km. Bybanen is a component of the National Transport Plan and the Bergen Program. Approximately 2 billion kroner has been allotted for the first stage of construction, funded by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the City of Bergen and Hordaland County. Project administration is the responsibility of Hordaland County.

The Art Committee’s Intentions
From the project description: “Bybanen manifests the idea of the collective in a positive sense: the art program will embody Bybanen’s chief goal of sustainable development in the best interests of the community; at the same time, it will represent and make space for individual statement and contemporary expression. In the convergence of community interest and respect for individual freedom lies a potent philosophical and ethical dilemma.”

Project A1, Strømmen
This is the first component of an art scheme that will include both permanent and temporary works of art along Bybanen’s route.

In Project A1, the Committee has chosen to emphasize its overriding vision and the prime motive for the construction of Bybanen; a vision prioritizing sustainable local and global development. In addition to economic arguments related to transport, weight has also been given to the environment and community well-being. On global matters, there is continuing discussion of the necessity of political, ethical and economic strategies that take heed of environmental issues.

The Committee envisions a water and/or light-based work. It is open to a broad interpretation reflecting the current political and ethical discourse that has been central in the choice of Bybanen as a major pillar of Bergens future personal transport infrastructure. Water and light are intrinsically associated with the project’s theme; at the same time they provide references both to Bergen’s historical connection to the sea and to the significance of light for our part of the world where we experience dark winter months. Both elements evoke positive associations which will be experienced as invigorating in their own right.

Placement of the Art Works
Strømmen is a structured, open urban area, with distinctive buildings and adjacent parks. Florida Hospital and the University of Bergen’s Institute for Geophysics comprise the northern perimeter, while to the west lie Nygård Park and the Bergen High Technology Center. Over the bridges toward the south are Solheimsviken Commercial Park and the intersection Danmarksplass. The site has a clear axis in the fjord which crosses from west to east, coming to rest at the foot of majestic Mount Ulriken, and the traffic arteries running north and south, connecting Bergen with traffic from the south. Three bridges traverse the narrow fjord: Old Nygård Bridge for Bybanen and lighter traffic, just west of this a new bridge for automotive traffic, and the motorway’s viaduct which provides a dramatic border against the fjord and the mountains to the east.

The site is also invested with historical references; Strømmen represents an important starting point in the development of the City of Bergen. In Strømmen, the old and new city meet: the border between Bergen and the former municipality of Fana lay here. In Viking times, locals and travelers passed this area en route to the royal farm, Alrekstad.

The triangle created by the motorway viaduct, Florida Hospital and the High Technology Center on Marineholmen is considered an ideal location for a monumental and permanent art work. Placement of an art work on the viaduct itself may be possible after consultation with the Public Roads Administration. Strømmen station will lie at the northern entrance to Old Nygård Bridge, and art placed here will be seen and experienced by those waiting here. That Old Nygård Bridge will be reserved for Bybanen and lighter traffic will further enhance the possibility for contemplation and experience.

Pre-Qualification
Interested parties must submit a brief presentation of their own body of work and clarify their motivations for participating in the project. The presentation must not exceed 10 pages and must include:

·         An account of the artist’smotivation and relevant competence.

·         A presentation of the artist’s body of work.

·         Documentation of previous projects.

·         Curriculum vitae.

All attachments must be photographs or paper copies, other materials will not be accepted. If the material is wished returned, postage and a return address must be included. Material not conforming to these guidelines will be destroyed.

Write “Bybanen, Project Strommen” on the envelope and send it to:

Bergen Kommune,
Bergen kommunes fond til kunstnerisk utsmykning av byen,
v/ Grete Riis,
Postboks 7700,
N - 5020 Bergen
Norway

Application deadline: 15 September 2009.
There will be no round of questions in relation to the pre-qualification.

Closed Competition
Contingent on the approval of all relevant organs, the competition will commence in the autumn of 2009. Expected completion of the art work is spring of 2011. Up to five artists will be invited to submit their proposals; of these up to two may be invited directly. Participants will receive a fee, travel and lodging costs will be covered for site inspection. The budget for the art project is expected to be approximately 3 – 4 million Norwegian kroner.

The Art Committee’s members:

Jørgen Blitzner, Artist (Committee leader)

Mogens Lock Hansen, City of Bergen, Department of Urban Development.

Tone Stedal Haugland, Hordaland County, Culture Department

Sølvi M. Myrseth, Bybanen, Bergen Light-rail System.

Axel Sømme, Cubus As, Architect group

Grete Riis, City of Bergen, Public Art Commission.