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Matias Faldbakken’s artwork in Rondane is now in book form

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The publication is the latest in an internationally recognised book series on art investments along Norwegian Scenic Routes.

The book deals with both the art, the location and the concrete process of planning and laying the mosaic along the Norwegian Scenic Route Rondane. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration's projects along 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes are unique in their combination of innovative architecture and magnificent natural surroundings. For these selected routes, renowned artists have been invited to create various installations. The art books that accompany each installation have now become a series of publications that are attracting international attention and acclaim.

Image of the book with text and pictures.
On behalf of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Matias Faldbakken has transformed a parking lot along county road 27 into a mosaic work of 260 m2 flat on the ground. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

MF's artwork Skyldner / Debtor in Rondane is based on an idea and a drawing, and has been created as a granite mosaic on an existing car park along National Road 27 (rv 27) – a rectangular area measuring 20 by 13 metres. The mosaic functions as a horizontal image in the landscape, a surface you can drive or walk on, move across, while enjoying the view of the mountains. This original work of art is so discreetly placed in the landscape that it is possible to pass by, or stop and even spend some time here, without necessarily noticing it. 

Image of the book with text and pictures.
The finished work is made of light and dark granite and is composed of 26,000 stones measuring 10x10 cm. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

In many ways, Debtor is a kind of anti-monument, drawing our gaze downwards, as if the title and location together reinforce the visitor’s awareness of being in a charged and concentrated space. Faldbakken turns the romantic idea of a view, the sublime and magnificent panorama, upside down – on its head - and instead gives us a space for reflection and contemplation," writes project curator Morten Kvamme.

Image of the book with text and pictures.
The artwork "Debtor" is established along county road 27 and is based on a charcoal drawing of a wooden head from the 12th century, most likely a head of Christ. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

The book covers both the art, the location and the specific process of planning and laying the mosaic. Morten Kvamme., curator and head of the Norwegian Scenic Routes art project, has written an introductory text, “På hodet” (literally: “On the head"). Matias Faldbakken himself has written the main text about his own work, “A Portrait of Debt”, and Maria Reinertsen Berg, journalist and writer, contributes with the essay “Who is the debtor?”

For this publication, we have been given permission to use an excerpt from JF's Septology, from the novel The Other Name. The book is richly illustrated with drawings and photographs by Faldbakken, as well as photographs by Frid-Jorunn Stabell and Harald Christian Eiken (NPRA Norwegian Scenic Routes).

Matias Faldbakken (born in 1973) lives and works in Oslo as an artist and writer.  He has exhibited at Documenta 13 (2012) and represented Norway in the Nordic Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2005). Between 2001 and 2022, he published six novels, which have been translated into more than 18 languages.

The previous books in this art series are: Louise Bourgeois/ Peter Zumthor Steilneset Memorial (2011/2016), Mark Dion Den (2012), Peter Fischli/David Weiss Rock on Top of Another Rock (2012), Jan Freuchen Columna Transatlantica (2015), Marianne Heier Mirage (2016) and Roni Horn Untitled ("I hated the mountains ...") (2024).