By useename
It’s been 50 years since there was a rebellion outside the queer club, Stonewall, in New York. So this years Oslo Pride Festival was meant to mark the anniversary of this history. A part of the festival is Oslo Pride Art, an exhibition set up at Youngstorget, as a primary art market. It’s said to be Norways biggest and most important queer exhibit. Oslo Pride says that the purpose of this exhibition is to convey openness and understanding, and to fight discrimination and prejudice.
“1406 HMW-9942” by Oslopride is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The exhibition is primarily financed through public funding as a part of Oslo Pride, as well as volunteer work. The event is meant to be independent, free of political control, and not to be subject to commercial special interests.
What’s great about Pride Art is that it’s a free event and open for all. I will say that Oslo Pride has high public support, and almost 30 000 people visited the exhibition itself this year. Both amateur and professional artists could display their artwork at this exhibition. There was no limit as to what kind of artwork could be displayed either – sculptures, installations, visual arts, performing arts, music, you name it.. This was meant to create diversity so you could find art from various genres and markets, to your liking.
It seems to me that the point of this exhibition isn’t specifically to make money, and therefore it’s not a typical commercial circuit. Although commercial artists, or those hoping to become one, might display their art there. It is after all a well visited event, and therefore the artists get good exposure. But neither is it an exclusive circuit, because it’s mostly unknown artwork being displayed and not necessarily expensive. I would think that most of the buyers are probably sentimental buyers, such as friends and family supporting their loved ones. It therefore conveys to me as an inclusive circuit, with all its openness – as well as being held in a public space.
Pride Art says that the exhibitions main goal is to convey acceptance for diversity among people, and to contribute to Oslo/Norways cultural image. As well as being open to all kinds of artists, Oslo Pride Art wants their exhibition to reach all kinds of audiences and consumers. And especially those who don’t feel at home in galleries or museums. They want everyone to feel like they can come and be exactly who they are. I think it’s a great thing to use the art for such a purpose. Showing inclusiveness and diversity through art.
Link to case: https://www.oslopride.no/pride-art
Photo: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/818ffb03-2790-4c3b-becc-327bfd367bb6
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