Velferden Winter Residency — Avgang/Deponi [Waste/Deposit]
Velferden Winter Residency
Avgang/Deponi [Waste/Deposit] Programme
January—February 2025
Velferden: Sokndal Scene for Samtidskunst
Sokndal, Norway
I have the honour of being one of the artists participating in the Winter Residency at Velferden in the municipality of Sokndal on the west coast of Norway.
During this artist residency at Velferden, I will be continuing my work on photography as an immersive and investigative tool for place- and sense-making and will be exploring new research interests in mining, extractivism, and contemporary art.
Inspired by the unique setting and history of Velferden and the presence of tailings and landfill sites, I will use this opportunity to research, write, and create in a place deeply affected by mining activities. I plan to explore the otherworldly landscape of Sokndal through image-making, publish an article drawing on this arts-based research, and develop a series of photographs, illustrations, and prints that reflect the area’s unique geology and history.
About Velferden
Velferden is an artist-run arena for the social and artistic investigation of man's relationship with nature, based in Norway's largest mining municipality Sokndal.
Velferden’s facilities are located in Titania's old mining facility at Sandbekk in Sokndal, in the historic buildings where Titania invented how to turn black iron ore into titanium dioxide and thus help color the world white. Velferden is surrounded by an exciting landscape characterized by over 100 years of mining activity.
About Avgang/Deponi [Waste/Deposit]
The theme of Velferden’s programme in the period 2023-2026 is WASTE / DEPOSIT. Through this theme, Velferden takes a critical and solution-oriented look at current issues related to the disposal and management of mining waste as an artistic material and social resource. The programme is curated by Velferden; visual artists Maiken Stene and Hans Edward Hammonds.
This about text has been adapted from text written by Velferden. All images included here are the copyright of Velferden and are taken from the Velferden website. For more information , please refer to the Velferden website.
