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Nudity in its various forms has always played a significant part in ancient
and modern art. Whether it is in sculpture, paintings or photography: nude
art is everywhere and, generally, admired. Some will even classify certain
forms of erotica and pornography as art. While the interest in public nude
art is common, it does not seem to translate easily in an
appreciation of human, non-sexual nudity in public.
To illustrate this, please look at the two images below (thanks to
"The Natural Way").
Thousands of visitors flock to the "Galleria dell' Accadmemia" in Florence
to see the famous statue of "David" and marvel at the beauty and grace of
the statue (left image). But what would happen if the same visitors were
to see instead the nude man, at the same location, the same pose and even
standing on the same pedestal upon which the statue stood. How would they
react? Suddenly, the public "exposure of genitals" becomes indecent and
regarded offensive and the man could be held for breaking the law! Look
closely at both images and ask yourself, is the man doing anything different
from the posture of the statue? Is the man showing an indecent behaviour.
The reason we started with the "Paradox of David" is that it is a challenge
for many people to recognise the naturalness of being nude. While
nude art may be marvelled at - possibly because it is abstract (as
in many paintings) or lightly erotic (as some of the sculptures by
Rodin, for example), going natural oneself in public is something
different alltogther for many.
The collection of (outdoors) public nude art that one can find in Oslo
- most of which created by the famous scullptur Vigeland - is rather
special in the sense that it puts communal and social nudity at the
center. This fits in well with the Norwegian liberal and openminded
attitude to nudity. As we will see below, the step from nude art to
nude recreation is only a short walk or ferry trip away from the city
centre.
With this in mind, let's explore a number of the finer displays of
public nude art in Oslo. And there is many! These will make a perfect
excursion on a short trip to Oslo or on a cloudy day when
a trip to the beach is not on the agenda. Our virtual walk will start
at the Vigeland/Frogner park and end at the Radhus and Radhusplassen.
Vigeland park
One of the most famous artists of Norway was Gustav Vigeland. The city
of Oslo was so impressed by his initial pieces of work for the
city that they had Vigeland commission many more. In the '30s Oslo
created a special park for him - this is now known as the Vigeland
park. Here you will find many fine life-size bronze and granite nudes
depicting men, women and children in many inspirational settings.
Especially the granite statues
around the monolith are worth mentioning and make a visit to the park a
must. Nearby the
park is also the Vigeland museum where you can learn more about Gustav
Vigeland and his work. Below is a series of images of some of the statues
in the Vigeland park, click on any to view an enlarged version.
From the south corner of Vigeland park there goes a beautiful nature
trail towards Drammensveien, it follows the little stream and is well
worth the diversion.
Sehestedsgate og Spikersuppa
From Vigeland Park we head towards the centre of Oslo. Between
Kristian August gate and Kristian IV's gate just west of the Tinghuset
you will find the quaint and pleasant Sehestedsgate (pedestrian only). In
the middle is a small square with a few benches surrounding a fountain
with bronze statue of mother with child. It's a very pleasant place
to relax a bit and let the serenity of the fountain and sculture work
in on you. From the Kristian IV gate it is a short walk towards the
Kal Johan's gate - the bustling main street of Oslo. Right across
Karl Johan you will find "Spikersuppa" the square with big fountain
and benches on either side. It's a very popular area for a short
break and on warm summerdays the pond is filled with small children
enjoying the cool water from the fountain. No surprise they blend
in well with the the small children's statues on the west side, see
image below.
Radhusplassen
From the Karl Johan gate and Spikersuppa it is a very short walk towards
the Oslo City Hall and the Radhusplassen, the big spuare in front of
the harbour. At the centre of the Radhusplassen you fill find a fine
collection of bronze and granite statues depicting women and children in various
settings. The two fountains on either side with woman and two todlers
are very admirable and will make you realise that nude is really so natural.
At the centre of the square is a magnificent fountain and pillar with bronze
statue on top, see central image below. There are plenty of benches around
the square to relax, breath the fresh air and let the naturalness work in
on you.
Oslo Radhus
Then finally, the Radhus itself contains a number of classical and
modern displays of communal nudity. First, when you walk up towards
the entrance there are some beautiful woodcarvings on either side
including the image shown below left. Once you enter the Radhus you
will marvel at the many spectacular wall paintings that depict Norwegian
life and recent history. The east wall of the south side Banquett hall
shows a life-size naturist wall painting of adults
and children on a beach - painted by Willy Middelsfart and named "Seaside
life around the Oslofjord", playing and simply having fun, see images
below right. The scene depicted in this big mural painting really goes to
the core of what naturism is all about: a natural and healthy approach to
enjoyment of nature and the human body in all it's forms and shapes.
The fact that this painting is found in the Banquet hall (!) indicates the
significance of naturism in nordic society. No fuss, just common sense
really.
The best thing is that you only have to take a short
ferry ride from the town hall to find just that, a
totally relaxing place for yourself or your family along one of the
beautiful nearby beaches, where you can be nude and
one with nature (if you prefer to "see and be seen" you are best off heading
towards Huk naturist beach).
Enjoy!
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