; "libertenatt.jpg") | |
; "Lars Ramberg 2 copy.jpg") ; "Lars Ramberg 2 copy.jpg") | |
; "DSCN0037.JPG") | |
; "DSCN0033.JPG") ; "DSCN0033.JPG") | |
; "DSCN0090.JPG") | |
; "DSCN0028.JPG") ; "DSCN0028.JPG") | |
;) | |
;) ;) |
Liberté
The interactive monument «Liberté» was intentionally to be build outside Eidsvoll Castle, the place where the Norwegian constitution was written.
After being rejected, the controversial work generated aggressive public debates. Two years later it was realized as permanent monument in front of the National Museum of Art in Oslo.
As part of the Norwegian centennial, it acted as a Statue of Liberty for the nation celebrating 100 years of freedom from Sweden.
«Liberté» is developed as a concept based on the French - as a provider for both the highest and the lowest institution for a modern society: the democratic constitution and the invention of public toilets.
When Jacques Chirac was mayor of Paris, he challenged the company JCDecaux to design unisex public toilets, reflecting and fulfilling the French ideal of individual rights in democratic society.
In 1979 JCDecaux presented the innovative self-cleaning toilets in the streets of Paris.
In 2005, the company supported the artwork «Liberté» by supplying it with three of the same original toilets from the streets of Paris.
After being restored they were given the colors red, white and blue with the inscriptions «Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité».
Inside the toilets, three different radio programs broadcast historical speeches; Charles De Gaulle, King Haakon VII, Franklin Roosevelt, etc accompanied by national hymns from Norway, France and USA. The installation allows an intimate relationship with its audience; the visitors fulfilling the Work, performing inside.
The National Museum of Art Oslo, who ordered «Liberté» as a permanent installation, has later rejected their ownership.
Listen to the sound after clicking on the objects