Ever since I first heard the artist Marit Benthe Norheim speak about her new art project Life-boats, I have been fascinated and spellbound: Would it be possible in our financially controlled world to accomplish such an imaginative and adventurous art project?

 

Now that I can see that the realisation of this concept is within reach, it is simply a matter of congratulating the artist and all other parties involved - and there are many - that they really have succeeded in getting it launched in a manner which means that the idea will become reality. There is systematic and carefully considered work behind all the different components that this project comprises. It has become a Nordic contemporary art project of which we can be proud and of which much will be said and written.

 

I see the local involvement at the locations that are on the route of the journey of these female figure boats, as extremely important. It is a different vision of how the imagination in art can function in relation to local communities, collaboration between the arts and what it could become at the start of our millennium!

 

There is an optimism and an energy here that we desperately need after economic crises and cultural depression.

 

I think of the dragon ship of the Vikings, which struck fear into the hearts of people along the coasts and canals of Europe. Now, a different and more modest fleet of women are coming, with an entirely different message - take care of the environment, travel sustainably, imagination is our greatest resource, etc. There are so many dimensions to this art project that are important and positive on their own - and which, collectively approach fairytale proportions! This is just what we need!

 

Nordic wanderlust has led to other ways of experiencing than by hoarding and this art project can become an image of the Nordic contribution to our common European culture which could create society and culture according to the Nordic model - politically, socially and artistically. This project is not ideology in solid form, but will function in a more open and inspirational way. There are alternatives, even in this day and age, which is so desperately in need of them.

 

Regards and best of luck

Holger Kofoed