Edens Hage was commissioned by the municipality of Oslo in 1972 and was initially meant to be removed after three years. Due to the positive response from the citizens of Oslo, the work stayed for nearly forty years. Hans E. Thorsen, born in 1977 in Oslo, grew up thinking of the work as a natural part of the cityscape. During the last years, the work was in a bad condition, worn and covered by graffiti. Arne Lindaas complained to the municipality several times, insisting that the work should be removed. The citizens of Oslo could enjoy the work until June this year, when it suddenly and without warning was removed due to renovation of the tunnel. It has not been decided whether Edens Hage is to be reconstructed when the renovation is finished.
In the meantime, Hans E. Thorsen takes the opportunity to recreate Edens Hage on the walls of 0047. The massive wallpainting will develop during the exhibition period and the public is invited to participate in this process. With this project, Thorsen wishes to explore how the reconstruction of another artists work can be worked into ones own production and how the public artwork will transform inside the white cube, with its many corners and structures. Edens Hage – Inspired by Arne Lindaas, is a tribute to the original artwork and looks at the collective affection towards a public artwork.
