The monolith in the Vigeland Park
I don’t know where to start with this post because the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. When I was last here in 1988, Cathrine took me to see Vigeland Park. The park contains 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures, all modeled in full size by Gustav Vigeland without the assistance of pupils or other artists. You just can’t take enough pictures.
Close up detail of the monolith.
The initial point of the park sculptures was the Fountain. A model was presented in 1907 to the city counsel and Gustav Vigeland was commissioned to make a Fountain. But as the time passed and not enough money was raised yet, Vigeland added many more sculptures to the project – granite sculptures that eventually were placed around the later Monolith. In 1924, the City of Oslo decided that the whole project should be fulfilled in the Frogner Park, later called Vigeland Park. In 1931 followed a renewal of the bridge over the Frogner ponds with the addition of numerous sculptures on the parapets and grounds. For the rest of his life, Vigeland continued to model new sculptures for the park until his death in 1943.
More detail
The pictures above of the monolith only give you a taste of this amazing sculpture. The column, 14.12 meters (46 feet) high carved out of a single block of stone, consists of 121 figures. Modeled by Vigeland in the years 1924-25, it took three stone carvers from 1929 to 1943 to complete the Monolith, just shortly before Vigeland died. The column is completely covered by human figures in relief, singly or in groups. At the bottom there are seemingly inert bodies. Above them figures ascent in a spiral, the movement halting midway and then rising at a fast pace towards the summit which is covered by small children. Various interpretations of the Monolith have been suggested: Man’s resurrection, the struggle for existence, Man’s yearning for for spiritual spheres, the transcendence of everyday life and cyclic repetition.
Scrapping boys
I don’t know the significance of all the various actions of the sculptures but they grab you and appeal to each individual differently. When I visited in 1988 I took various pictures of those sculptures that appealed to me the most. I remember the pictures vividly. This time I figured I would just go about again and take pictures of those sculptures that appealed to me this time around. I guess in a way, it is an interesting way of analyzing your personality. So I was curious to see if I had changed in 23 years.
A young couple
The 36 groups surrounding the monolith in general just depict the cycle of life. Every sculpture includes at least two figures depicting Man in a variety of typical human situations and relationships. A man and woman sit facing one another with a little child between them. Children play, young men and women dream and embrace. Old age is represented in several groups. The groups show a certain variation in composition and form. Initially, Vigeland wanted to retain the volume of the granite block. The figures from this early period are broad and simple with a minimal of detail. Later, however, he introduced greater differentiation of composition and figure style and more space was allowed between figures.
An intimate embrace
So in analysis of myself – I have not changed much because I took pictures for the most part, of the same sculptures that appealed to me in my 20s. Interestingly enough, I didn’t take any pictures of the sculptures depicting old age – perhaps this is avoidance. I took some of the children as I think I looked at them in relationship to myself as a child as opposed to interest in children separate from me because I have not had children likely. And as always I am interested in those sculptures depicting relationships and intimacy.
Kindness
There is also a spectacular fountain. It is the combination of human beings and trees in two meter high sculptures. It is one of Vigeland’s most original concepts. The tree groups represent a romantic expression of Man’s relationship to nature. The also form the setting for life’s evolving stages, stretching from childhood and adolescence through adulthood to old age and death.
The fountain
Perhaps this means fighting death
Clearly I could just post all the pictures but that would take forever. So I just recommend you go and see it. K. Gotta go.
Figure this one out - look closely.
Most interesting sculptures – would love to see them in person.
It is an absolutely lovely park
I should stop reading your blog, there are so many pleasant memories about most of the cities that you have visited, and now Oslo, while we have our Norwegian friend and her husband visiting us. Try and fish the Dombas River, where I caught my most unusual animal, a bat on my fly line. It had captured the fly with its wing. It was midnight and June.
We are having preliminary discussions about selling Chateau Sherwood and doing our own “year away from it all” a sabbatical without me having to work 16 hours a day.
Why should you stop reading – is it a bad thing to have pleasant memories? I had originally wanted to call my blog “Living Vicariously” but it was taken as a namesake but I am glad to see it’s purpose is still having an impact. Soon however my adventures on such a scale will end momentarily for about 6 months or so, but I shall continue finding the adventures in life to continue with the blog.
Sadly Oslo was way too brief but I am fully intending on returning.
I like your idea of having a year away from it all. It has been absolutely amazing for me and life changing – never leave until tomorrow what you can do today. You both deserve it – go for it – now is the time….
Thanks for making us/me aware of the Vigeland Park. It is definitely worth a visit. The monolith is beautiful and so are the sculptures and fountain.
As always, great photography.