musical interactions in the decades of postmodernism
and Exhibition
Hunting High and Low: 25 years with a-ha / A-ha gjennom 25 år
Exhibition / Utstilling October 20, 2010 - January 29, 2011
National Library of Norway
Myself and colleague Laura Cotton outside the biblioteket i Oslo
Having the opportunity to meet my good friend Pal H Christiansen on his home turf in Oslo, he told me that Morten's brother was there, and sure enough, I took a moment to introduce myself to him and share some publishing insights with him.
Myself and Hakon Harket, yes, I really am small!
I also spent some time with Jan Omdahl, to discuss his book "The Swing Of Things" from which I quoted for my dissertation back in 2007-8. His updated version for A-ha's retirement no longer contains some of the quotes I initially referred to, as it's been edited to include more recent information to make it more up to date.
Jan said that out of all the people in the room, he probably knew the least about A-ha - this coming from a Norwegian journalist that has spent considerable time working with the band, and recounts his time with them in Brazil during the height of their 1991 epic Rock In Rio gig.
I noticed the juxtaposition of the Swing Of Things book next to a book with Michel Foucault in it.
Then Magne's Mum recommended the hardback edition - we'd met her in the Ladies' earlier, she has a wicked sense of humour, she was "cleaning" some water, very tongue-in-cheek - so now we know where Magne gets it from!
I have a lot of admiration and respect for her, absolutely love Magne's Mum!
Magne Furuholmen's lovely Mum!
Jørun Bogeberg of Oslo Blues Club performing his own version of "October" and other A-ha tracks.
Last minute preparation for the exhibition opening
Myself and fellow fans - I'm wearing the t-shirt with the quote from Pal Waaktaar Savoy "I get pissed off and frustrated when people only talk about 'Take On Me'. It was just an honest, catchy little thing".
Original Michael Patterson illustrations for Take On Me
Morten's original wrist straps from the 1980s
Morten's brother (on the left!) listening to the A-ha music archive. He was listening to "Maybe Maybe" !!
No expense spared, our hotel was the Radisson Blu Scandinavia
Summit 21 Bar @ The Radisson. We met 3 French oil prospectors (from Total) who bought our drinks for us!! :-D One of them comes from a region of France where Laura's friend lives; serendipity.
My comic "The Unreal God And Aspects Of His Non- Existent Universe" exhibited in Hard Rock Cafe, Oslo. How existential is that? Unfortunately, no hand emerged from here, it was in Germany at the time!
Visit Peace - The Nobel Centre view from the Radisson Blu Scandinavia
Kendell Geers work outside the Nobel Peace Centre (reminds me of Bruce Naumann.... but still effective!)
I made a wish and stuck it on Dumbledor's bedroom curtain @ The Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo. A month later that wish came true!! I finally met Morten in Sheffield!! See previous blog :-)
William Kentridge animation @ the Nobel Peace Centre
An Apparatjik type device!
Couldn't visit Oslo and not go to see Skrik :-) @ Munch Museet
I loved Munch's way of painting Norwegian landscapes, some of his work seemingly draws from Van Gogh, but the landscape of Norway obviously differs greatly from Van Gogh's south of France, and Munch endows his work with a unique Nordic edge.
Friedrich Nietsche showing Munch's early expressionist influence. Warning, this man will mess with your head!
We also went to see this utstilling
but couldn't take any photos because of Imperial Forces.....
It snowed in Oslo in October, not as much as there is now, it seems I brought this weather back with me in time for A-ha's UK leg of the tour :-)
If you ever stay at the Radisson in Oslo, this lovely man will serve you frokost every morning!
Who wants a ride on the Moods Of Norway tractor? :-D
Thanks to Chris for uploading this footage:
How embarrassing! :-D
