The Vigelandsparken in Frognerparken lies to the northwest of Oslo's City Centre. It shows off the work of Norway's most famous sculptor, Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943). There are a massive 212 pieces in total, along an 850 metre axis. This is the world's largest sculpture park by a single artist. Its central theme is the circle of life.
On walking through the park gates, a monolith in the distance beckons to you, but there is a lot to see on the way, and more to see after the monolith too. The first section of the display is the Bridge, lined on both sides with bronze sculptures. The figures are of men, women and children of all ages.
When on the Bridge it is not just the sculptures you want to look at. Wander down to the river below, or you might miss the waterfall and the circle of babies, including one still in the womb.
After crossing the Bridge is the Fountain. Although this fountain was originally designed by Vigeland to be placed in front of the Norwegian Parliament building, the press and public were not supportive of the idea. Indeed, the initial design of the Parliament building started to expand to the point where the site would have been too small to support the Fountain in any event. It is now one of the centre pieces of Vigelandsparken. Its sculptures and reliefs depict the eternal circle of life, growing out of death.
The Fountain is surrounded by sculptures of trees. Intertwined in their branches are people, from young children to adults. Some of the figures in the trees look quite comfortable. Others look trapped within the branches; they seem to be struggling to break free. Still others are on the outside of their trees and appear to be fighting to get back inside the safety of the branches.
Around the edge of the fountain are bronze reliefs, depicting the eternal circle of life. The fountain took so long to complete that Vigeland made 112 of these reliefs, although only 60 were eventually used. One depicts two children hugging a skeleton, perhaps to be taken as an embrace of death. Another shows three fish swimming down to a figure lying on the seabed. Out of death grows life.
The Monolith Plateau lies beyond the Fountain and sits above the other parts of the park. The Monolith itself is a raised central granite column 17.3 metres high. It took three stone carvers 14 years to complete. It is surrounded by 36 separately carved platforms, known collectively as the Circle of Life.
The Monolith contains 121 figures, snaking and swirling up the column, stretching up towards the heavens. Many of Vigeland’s sculptures represent the everlasting circle of life, where new life grows from death. The Monolith offers a different perspective. The figures here are reaching out for death - almost striving for it.
The Cirle of Life, surrounding the Monolith, shows the path of life, from the joy of birth to the anguish of death.
Beyond the Monolith and Circle of Life is a sundial, and then the final installation: The Wheel of Life. This is a circle of children, men and women holding on to each other in and endless circle, or perhaps a garland or wreath. It is a small installation, but sums up the entire theme of the park, following life from cradle to grave and back to rebirth.
I first visited Frognerparken in 2014 and was captivated by the theme and the sculptures. I hope you are too!
TO LOG THIS CACHE:
There is only one requirement: visit the park and find a statue. It may be your favourite. It may be interesting. It may just be the one that calls to you on the day. Take a picture of you or your GPS with the statue. That's it.
Nothing more, unless...
If you enjoy some fun then take a picture of yourself in the same pose as the statue - after all, should art mimic life or should life mimic art? This is not a requirement to log the cache, but it would be very much appreciated. Photos like this:
Or this:
There are hundreds of statues to choose from - all the way from single figures to groups. Go wild! But most of all, enjoy the park!
VIGELANDSPARKEN PERFORMERS OF EXCELLENCE
There have been many great photos, and here are a few of my favourites. I am sorry I cannot include all photos posted but the cache page would simply become too large!
Jessica07
HeddumHoutum
Gorjess516
musie7
howi16
sindig
Pellexx
Fla20m
TanteJulia
MART!N
OleRL
Team Merkur.dk
Team Olsen and Kokkelimonke
famv17 and richardo7
Trail Mongers
FamChaos
KitKat_1028
ReginaWadi
Die Sonnenhügler
Team Nibe
Bush-Rescue
TallWriter
Alinternet
etulf
Azafady
Valinaria
topzoekertje
albertlaia
Huizeblauw
jetone
M&M-NOR
bibsmaus
_Lila_Luna_
Surikaty
hinsigirl
Camillaaa87
pjacklam
Varmi28
Flasharry
Joe+Little
kit-katje
jueterbog
Physiker_Pärchen
Lusche51
Flocke13
Zenomey
geotrine
cehashuTeam
broiler
Jarun
peterseli
Azafady
Ibis1
sk0g1
BosseG
DADDYKOOL
skandal_illa
pis1969
SirChurchill
wolflinger
ensumi 14
ertene
DaisyZ
CinnamonRaisinBagel
ertene
rincewind77
hilnus
julietlimadelta
Sissinator
50 years on - Weleda
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.