Munch Museum Plan Faces Criticism in Oslo

Spanish architectural firm Herreros won a design competition for the new museum in March 2009. Image courtesy Herreros Arquitectos

Poor Edvard Munch can’t seem to catch a break in his native Norway. His artworks have been popular with thieves in recent years, and now opposition to a proposed Munch Museum in the Norwegian capital is steadily building because of what critics argue is its unnecessary size.

Jørn Holme, the head of the Norwegian national heritage agency, argues, “The new museum would be twice as high as buildings usually are in that area. It would disturb the visual experience of the part of [Oslo], where medieval and the later parts meet.” The museum is slated to be built along the waterfront, an area of the city that has undergone major development in recent years.

The National Opera and Ballet, which is already housed in the waterfront district, has voiced concerns about the building as well. “Due to its height, the Munch Museum may be so dominant that it simply takes too much attention,” Tom Remlov, the company’s director, says. He proposes that supporters build a full-scale model of the building so that people can decide if it fits with the surrounding buildings.

Source: ArtInfo