An exhibition between staff and students at Nottingham Trent and Norway’s Bergen Academy of Art and Design has been launched at Bonington Gallery.
Prior to the launch of Made in Wood, students were asked to discuss and produce a story of an invisible city – capturing a hidden aspect of a municipal like Bergen or Nottingham.
Students were inspired by the work of Italian journalist, Italo Calvino, whose novel entitled Invisible Cities imaginatively explored the nuances of a bustling city.
Image: The invisible city taking shape
The exhibition, which runs until Friday March 27, is open to the general public free of charge – where they can watch the city evolve.
Made from reclaimed and disused wood, the space intends to challenge the laws of gravity – featuring sculptural representations of landmarks, skyscrapers and its very own ‘ghetto’.
Petter Bergerud is a professor at Bergen Academy of Art and Design.
Image: Petter Bergerud
Discussing Made in Wood, he said: ” We are working with urban themes, so on entry you will have the ghetto, the post-industrial district, the district of the future and many other elements.”
Petter also hailed the collaboration and the importance of placing an emphasis on practical work.
Video: Petter Bergerud professor at Bergen Academy of Art and Design discusses Made in Wood
The event showcases the collaborative efforts of Bergen undergraduates and Trent Architecture second years ahead of the Bergen International Wood Festival – which Petter Bergerud helps to organise.
The festival focuses on the use of wood as a versatile material as well as hosting a biannual competition in experimental wood construction – inviting architects, students and craftsmen from all over the world to participate.
Image: Work is underway on the ghetto
Lena Mari Koalas, a student from Bergen, has relished the opportunity to work with Nottingham Trent students on the exhibition.
She said:
I think it’s really exciting working with wood.
“We did some work building a bridge in Bergen so I have some experience.
With two worlds coming together for the project, she did admit that there were some discrepancies between their academic practices.
Lena Mari said: “It’s a bit weird working with the guys who have not been working practically and only on paper.”
Video: Lena Mari Koalas chats about her involvement with the project
Austin Stapleton, a second year Architecture undergraduate at Nottingham Trent, said both sets of students bonded incredibly well prior to the launch of the exhibition.
He added:
If you see us in there you wouldn’t be able to tell who are Norwegian students and who are Trent students.
“It’s nice to get to know new people.”
Austin also praised the tactile and sustainable qualities of wood.
Video: NTU student Austin Stapleton on Made in Wood
Made in Wood at the Bonington Gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.
For more information, click here.
Slideshow: Made in Wood in pictures
