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The ‘House of Commons’ was opened by the President of the Storting, Olemic Thommessen. Photo: The Storting.

Opened the ‘House of Commons’ at Løvebakken

Marianne Heske’s work of art, the ‘House of Commons’ was opened at Eidsvolls plass outside the Storting on Wednesday 21st October.

Hilde Barstad, director of Oslo’s Department of Culture, opened proceedings with a speech of welcome. She was followed by the President of the Storting, Olemic Thommessen.

One of the points Thommessen made was that the Storting building itself and the ‘House of Commons’ are approximately the same age.

“We could almost say that the Storting’s hard-up cousin has come to visit from Østfold. It’s a story about a successful change. It also tells us that change in itself is difficult,” Thommessen said.

The President of the Storting remarked that we are living in times that are changing more rapidly than ever before.

“This house doesn’t just put the Storting into perspective; it also puts the times we are living in into perspective. It’s an excellent way of ushering in next year’s 150th anniversary celebrations of the Storting building, when we will do our best to place our democratic values into a broader dimension,” the President added, before he cut the ribbon and opened the ‘House of Commons’.

Marianne Heske had taken a piece of cheese as a present for the mouse she believed would be living in the house.

Humble building from the 19th Century

The ‘House of Commons’, a humble dwelling from the 19th Century, was originally located at Elvestadkrysset in the municipality of Hobøl. It was later purchased by the Public Roads Administration in connection with the expansion of the E18 motorway through Østfold.

Marianne Heske, a renowned Norwegian visual artist, saved the house from demolition. With the permission of the Storting’s Presidium, it has been rebuilt in Eidsvolls plass in front of the Storting, where it will remain until the end of the year.

Oslo Pilot

Heske’s art project is part of a larger project called Oslo Pilot, which is being arranged by Oslo Municipality. The use of Eidsvolls plass has been placed at the disposal of the Storting, which has an agreement with the Association of Norwegian Sculptors to put on temporary exhibitions there.

Last updated: 23.10.2015 14:51

Hilde Barstad, director of Oslo’s Department of Culture, opened proceedings with a speech of welcome. She was followed by the President of the Storting, Olemic Thommessen.

One of the points Thommessen made was that the Storting building itself and the ‘House of Commons’ are approximately the same age.

“We could almost say that the Storting’s hard-up cousin has come to visit from Østfold. It’s a story about a successful change. It also tells us that change in itself is difficult,” Thommessen said.

The President of the Storting remarked that we are living in times that are changing more rapidly than ever before.

“This house doesn’t just put the Storting into perspective; it also puts the times we are living in into perspective. It’s an excellent way of ushering in next year’s 150th anniversary celebrations of the Storting building, when we will do our best to place our democratic values into a broader dimension,” the President added, before he cut the ribbon and opened the ‘House of Commons’.

Marianne Heske had taken a piece of cheese as a present for the mouse she believed would be living in the house.

Humble building from the 19th Century

The ‘House of Commons’, a humble dwelling from the 19th Century, was originally located at Elvestadkrysset in the municipality of Hobøl. It was later purchased by the Public Roads Administration in connection with the expansion of the E18 motorway through Østfold.

Marianne Heske, a renowned Norwegian visual artist, saved the house from demolition. With the permission of the Storting’s Presidium, it has been rebuilt in Eidsvolls plass in front of the Storting, where it will remain until the end of the year.

Oslo Pilot

Heske’s art project is part of a larger project called Oslo Pilot, which is being arranged by Oslo Municipality. The use of Eidsvolls plass has been placed at the disposal of the Storting, which has an agreement with the Association of Norwegian Sculptors to put on temporary exhibitions there.

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