Art performance
OS-LO World Water Day
A cooperation project by Dariusz Wojdyga, Jessica Ulllevålseter and Akerselva.
Our project is based on different approaches to the topic of water ecologies and water resources, with a special focus on the river Akerselva in Oslo. We unite individuals, groups and institutions for collective environmental actions around the river. We would like to invite everyone to celebrate the World Water Day with us.
- Performative Procession for the Spirit of Os-Lo: "understanding of us, river”
- Os_Lo: The light spot where the river meets the sea
- Hu-Ma (Arabic): Water spirit
- Oslo is not a place, but a whole/sacred relationship that we take part in and actively practice, albeit with an unconscious culture. Understanding us and the river - gives us understanding about ourselves.
Program
- 12:00: Sukkerbiten - Operastranden: Water Ritual: We walk from Sukkerbiten across Oslo S, via Eventyrbrua and up to KHiO
- Oslo S, Tigeren: Performance
- The salmon stairs at Vulkan: Performance
- KHiO: under water and above water performances / spiritual and activistic actions / art exhibition
- 14.30 - 16.30: Discussion panel at Auditorium at KHiO. Participants: Eirik Myrhaug (noaidi), Knut Rygh (priest), Jessica Ullevålseter (visual artist), Dariusz Wojdyga (artist), Odin Lysaker (ecosophist), Jonas Kittelsen (activist/XR UNG), Jane Folseth (water shaman, Danmark), Oslo River Forum, Nature and Yout;
Theme
Tiger city vs. Salmon city: Raising awareness about the origin of the nickname "tiger city" is a goal. Os-Lo residents will not bear the meaning of "Tiger" - taken from Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's poem "Godt Mot".
Os-Lo: the light spot where the river meets the sea (Hu-Ma: spirit- water (Arabic) - Human- waterspirit).
Should Os-Lo's inhabitants represent "tigers" - who destroy the landscape, as Bjørnson's poem describes?
What are personal rights?
Can Os-Lo's inhabitants give the water cycle Os-Lo personal rights, baptise us the "salmon city" and create subjective relationships with local elements? Giving the water cycle Os-Lo personal rights means that she will have the status of a legal subject no longer an object of law. In other words, being a legal subject means that the water cycle will be equal to organisations, institutions, companies and people.
Such laws accommodate ecocentric language in the legal system and create fair dialogue. Such alaw gives the local population guardian roles and a voice for the river/mountain/fjord.
Who are we?
Akerselva is a river which flows through Oslo. It starts at Maridalsvannet in Oslomarka, and traverses the boroughs of Nordre Aker, Sagene, Grünerløkka, central Oslo and Grønland, whereby it finally ends at Paulsenkaien and Oset in Bjørvika. The river is considered to be a part of the Nordmarkvassdraget, and has the Norwegian watercourse number 006.Z. The entire river is about 8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi) long, and has a difference in elevation between source and mouth of approximately 149 metres (489 ft). (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akerselva).
Dariusz Wojdyga is studying medium- and material-based art at the Oslo Academy of Arts. His practice takes form of pro-ecological sustainability and collective interactions. He dives for rubbish in the Akerselva and transforms it into art.
There are many of us who co-create the manifesto, the ritual, the voice. You are most welcome, bring gifts to the river, voice, song, instrument, water - bring some water from the place you hold dear.
Jessica Ullevålseter is an artist and activist who works closely with GARN (Global Alliance of Rights of Nature, FN), The Norwegian Church, Arctic Shaman's Circle, Extinction Rebellion and many local artists, children and neighbors of Akerselva in Oslo. Ullevålseter works to promote circles of complex encounters and promote dialogue between these and nature - making visible and embodying our belief in mutual dependence and dialogue with nature.
Welcome to our water community!