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Kistefos Museum, located in Jevnaker, Norway, near the famous homonymous waterfall, has unveiled the 56th permanent work in its sculpture park: “Resting Arms“ by the Iranian-born German artist Nairy Baghramian (b. 1971). The sculpture, a highly abstracted portrait of primary joints in the body, was made in white Carrara marble and steel. By highlighting the vulnerability of the human form, Baghramian challenged the traditional connotations of durability and monumentality often associated with these sculptural materials.

The sculpture’s two blocks of marble are heavily veined and pitted on their surface, suggesting fragility, sensitivity, and, in the artist’s own words, “possible collapse.“ They resemble arms and elbows, which the artist has given respite from centuries of upright poses and postures. Baghramian moves the joints from their typical orientation, allowing them to rest and recover from the stress and impact of daily use.

Sited on Kistefos’ terrain, the sculpture invites visitors to do the same – find a moment of contemplation and pause as the panorama of the landscape unfolds beyond.

This four-metre-tall work marked Baghramian’s first in Northern Europe and became an important addition to the growing sculpture park at Kistefos. It was installed at the museum’s south entrance.

Kistefos Industrial Museum was established in 1996 by Norwegian businessman and art collector Christen Sveaas on the former site of his grandfather’s pulp mill. Today, it offers world-class architecture, industrial history, art exhibitions, and an expansive sculpture park in scenic surroundings. Every year, Kistefos presents new art exhibitions by highly recognized national and international artists in its two galleries, The Twist and Nybruket Gallery. The Twist has won several prizes for its cutting-edge design and is a gallery, a bridge, and a sculpture, all in one.

Source: Kistefos Museum