News
Kode moves into the shopping center
Siri Breistein (Foto: Frode Bakken).
What Happens When an Art Museum Moves into a Shopping Center?
That’s exactly what Kode will explore with the participatory art project, The Art Satellite.
This December, we’re officially opening our new project space at Sletten Senter. Stay tuned!
- Over the next two years, the Art Satellite will be based at Sletten, and the shopping center is the perfect location for it. The center has a diverse audience and great visibility at the heart of the neighborhood. We’re excited to get started," says Siri Breistein, Head of Education at Kode.
- The museum should be accessible to everyone, and we want to make it easier to experience art. We’re expanding the art and music experiences we offer and bringing them into local neighborhoods – what role can art play in the community?" asks Kode’s Director, Petter Snare.
Kode’s Art Satellite is a long-term initiative led by Kode’s education department, aiming to include even more people in our art spaces.
The project is made possible through the generous support of Stiftelsen Kaare Berg, Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank, and Bergen Municipality, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Sletten Senter, which has provided the space for this endeavor.
- I’m excited for Kode to establish itself at Sletten Senter. It will bring exciting new experiences for customers, neighbors, and employees alike," says center manager Trude Løvaas.
Siri Breistein (Foto: Frode Bakken).
Direktør Petter Snare. Foto: Dag Fosse.
From the project space at Sletten Senter, the local community will get a close-up view of the Art Satellite's journey and be invited to join workshops, activities, and conversations.
The first test workshop will take place at the end of November during the Sletten Light Festival, while the project space will officially open on Wednesday, December 11, at 12 PM.
Opening Up for Participation
The art at Sletten Senter will be created locally, shared locally, and reflect the identity and character of the neighborhood. The Art Satellite draws inspiration from various community art programs—a significant international movement that has yet to gain a strong foothold in Bergen.
Community art is about creating art in collaboration with artists and the local community, focusing on building relationships and strengthening the sense of togetherness.
– We want to contribute to the further development of this type of participatory art in Bergen. There is already significant interest from collaborators eager to get involved, and soon we’ll be launching an open call for artists in the city who want to work with a community-focused and performer-based approach. We hope many will apply, says Breistein.
A Long-Term Commitment
The Art Satellite builds on Kode’s longstanding dedication to diversity and inclusion. Through collaborations with organizations like Bergen Prison, Bergen Women’s Welfare Association, the Church City Mission, and Support Not Protect, Kode has opened its doors to new audience groups and developed innovative programs.
From 2024 to 2026, the Art Satellite will be based at Slettebakken in the Årstad district. The next Art Satellite will move to Solheim, with plans to expand to additional neighborhoods across Bergen in the future.