OK BOOK has the pleasure to invite you to the launch of our first exhibition monograph featuring Gavin Jantjes' exhibition The Exogenic Series (Aqua) - along with a panel discussion surrounding Norwegian (artists and institutions based in Norway) representation abroad.

The conversation will take place in English-

Undeniably, a lot is done to promote Norwegian participation both within and beyond the country’s perimeters. How can we design and support dynamic participation – securing the best visibility and international awareness possible? How does an artist or institution judge which international arenas are artistically relevant? And what sort of reservations arise within the contemporary art sector in a time characterised by the constant threat of budget cuts and economic rationalism?

Artists from, or based in Norway are able to apply for production grants from agencies such as the Arts Council and The Artists Relief Fund for Visual Arts (BKH) in order to create new works, if those works are to be created or exhibited in Norway. However, when artists based in Norway are invited to take part in international exhibitions, the opportunities for production support are scarce. Norwegian contemporary art institutions are simultaneously struggling to realize on-site productions and expanded programming internationally*.

Funding from the Foreign Ministry towards the visual arts and contemporary crafts are managed and distributed by the Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) and Norwegian Crafts respectively. Both programmes were founded to facilitate “the promotion of Norway internationally through managing grant programs of artistic (...) nature”.

International activities of Norwegian artists and institutions seem to gain little attention from the media in Norway, except in the case of seasonal highlights such as the Venice biennale or Documenta. Why is such a lack of interest from the media back home?

*Most public funds are limited to cover costs for travel and accommodation, transport, insurance and promo material.