HAMARØY. The Hamsun Centre in Hamarøy, northern Norway is an architectual “must see” attraction devoted to writer Knut Hamsun (1859 – 1952). The tower, designed by architect Steven Holl, was opened to the public in 2010. This summer the building was awarded the prestigious Norwegian architecture prize Houen Fonds Diploma, among with four other buildings.
From the evaluation committee statement:
“There is something strange in making a building to describe a literary work. Literature is
View from the tower. Photo The Hamsun Centre
abstract and can not be presented. Literature is read and provides a mental experience. Looking at the books, book pages, letters or photos of the author is quite different than the experience of literature provides and that is the essence of authorship.
(—)
The building stands as a hard pole in the large Norwegian landscape. Inside the front hides a room that creates a continuous journey, with new and unexpected adventures along the way – where you will be drawn onward and upward ……..
(—)
Trying to describe the experience of Hamsun Center will be as futile as trying to describe the mystery of Hamsun’s literature. It is enough to say that Holl has succeeded in creating a mystique that is related to the Hamsun.”
Read more about the Hamsun Centre
Here
Read about the big culture festival Hamsun Days 28/7 – 5/8 2012
Here
