Henningsvær: The Kavi Fac Ory and Pøbel

Pøbel at Kavi Fac Ory

The small village Henningsvær on the Lofoten Islands the is becoming a modern cultural engine in Norway. Henningsvær is far north, beyond the arctic circle with beautiful surroundings, short summers with light all day and night and long winters with darkness around the clock. People here have discovered the value of art and how art can inspire and bring energy to a society that have struggled with depopulation, lack of work and educational possibilities. Today, this part of norway experience a revitalisation and a modern art renaissance. Artists have known the area for centuries because of the beautiful nature and the extraordinary light up north, but they just stayed for a season or limited time and the local comunity or visitors didn't get the pleasure of enjoying the art or benefit from the art in any way.

A brand new Gallery, the Kavi Fac Ory, have turned that notion around. The gallery offers contemporary works, works from international artists like Ai Weiwei, Gilbert & George, Shirin Neshat and more. In addition they exhibit contemporary works from norwegian artist like Kjartan Slettemark, Bjarne Melgaard and Pål Vigeland. Street artists like Pøbel and Dolk have also found their way to Kavi Fac Ory. The Kavi Fac Ory has a unique location and offer experiences of art that never previously has been available to the area and rarely are available in such "off-the-grid" regions.

The old Kaviar Factory is an international venue for contemporary art

The rooms inside are light and comfortable

The Kavi Fac Ory has a unique location

Pøbel has changed the conception of street art as an urban phenomenon. The piece "In Cod we trust" is placed by the harbour of Henningsvær

Pøbel, from Stavanger in the south west of Norway, have developed a strong relation to the Lofoten Area and the Kavi Fac Ory. The Kavi Fac Ory is a bold project and I will visit again. When visiting the gallery, the owners were friendly and had a lot of time to talk about the art works, their project and art in general. That never happens in the city :-)