Major new modern and contemporary art museum PoMo opens in Trondheim
Set in an Art Nouveau building that used to serve as the city's post office, PoMo spans five floors and 4,000 square metres. The space is a product of the vision and personal art collection of Monica Reitan and Ole Robert Reitan, who've spent over two decades collecting works from artists like Simone Leigh, Louise Bourgeois, Anne Imhof, and Franz West. Ole Robert, who's also a co-owner of the Norwegian retail and finance giant Reitan AS, believes art should be for everyone.
PoMO seeks to 'tear down some of the walls between the art world and most people,' Ole Robert told The Art Newspaper. 'Going into a museum can be a scary thing.'
To bring that vision to life, the couple brought in Iranian-French architect India Mahdavi, who worked alongside Norwegian architect Erik Langdalen to overhaul the space. The goal? A colourful, vibrant environment that feels as much like a public living room as it does a contemporary art gallery.
As well as improving accessibility, PoMo hopes to redefine the art landscape in the region with regard to gender representation. In a statement in the autumn, the museum said its collection 'aims to create a 'new normal' for Norwegian institutions, dedicating a minimum of 60 percent of its acquisitions budget to women artists to tackle gender inequality in museum collections at large'.
The opening exhibit, Postcards from the Future (on until 22 June), dives into the history of the building as a post office, with the postcard serving as a 'thematic metaphor' for the works exhibited.
'Inspired by the diverse perspectives of postcards, the exhibition is presented as a series of small stories where each artist has their own space,' PoMo shares on its website. 'The artists in 'Postcards from the Future' address significant contemporary themes such as community, identity, material culture, nature and urbanity.'
Among the works visitors can expect to see is Katharina Fritsch's 'Madonnenfigur' (1987/2024), a striking yellow sculpture of the Virgin Mary that once stood near a church in Trondheim's bustling shopping district; and Louise Bourgeois' two-headed sculpture 'Arch of Hysteria' (2004).
Looking ahead to 2026, visitors can wander through Ann Veronica Janssens' fog room, where they'll be surrounded by artificial smog.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Local France
44 minutes ago
- Local France
'Rules have changed' - Préfecture confirms they can refuse French citizenship to retirees
Retirees in France have recently begun running into problems with the citizenship applications, with numerous reports of citizenship being refused due to not having sufficient French income. The change appears to be linked to a recent circulaire from the Interior Minister - but now one préfecture has confirmed to The Local that they are indeed treating applications differently, and are routinely rejecting people whose income is mainly derived from a pension from another country. The préfecture of Deux-Sèvres told The Local that the "rules had changed after May 2nd", which is when French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau sent out a circulaire (memo) clarifying how préfectures should process citizenship applications. READ MORE: Why do French ministers love to send 'circulaires'? The spokesperson said: "Each application is subject to an individualised, in-depth, and reasoned review, in accordance with the applicable regulations. "Prior to the circulaire of May 2nd, 2025, naturalisation applications were processed based on a comprehensive and global assessment of the applicant's situation. Advertisement "Thus, retirees receiving only a foreign pension as income could have their naturalisation application accepted, as long as the necessary conditions were generally met. "After May 2nd, the rules changed. In order to assess the applicant's financial independence, income derived mainly from abroad is no longer taken into account (except in very limited circumstances), on the basis that the applicant's centre of interest has not been completely transferred to France. READ MORE: What counts as 'French income' when it comes to citizenship? "Based on this criterion alone, the application for naturalisation may be refused. For practical purposes, people who are refused naturalisation do have legal avenues and time limits for appeal. These are referenced in their notification of rejection." What does this change mean practically? This insistence on French-sourced income would seem - if applied strictly - to make it impossible for people who have retired to France (as opposed to those who worked in France and then retired) to ever gain citizenship. Two foreign retirees who both met the other criteria for French nationality, such as language acquisition and integration in their local community, were denied citizenship by the Deux-Sèvres préfecture on the basis that they did not have sufficient French income. READ MORE: 'Doesn't seem fair' - British pensioners speak out over apparent change to French citizenship rules A circulaire is not supposed to change the law, just clarify how administrative staff interpret it. So far, it is clear that the préfecture of Deux-Sèvres has taken a strict interpretation of the circulaire and has interpreted it as a 'rules change'. This does not mean that other préfectures have taken the same approach, and it is common for variations to exist between préfectures. However, The Local has received reports of other retirees being rejected in recent weeks for the same reasons in the préfectures of Gironde and Haute-Garonne. The Local reached out to the Interior Ministry and other préfectures to confirm whether there has been a change in procedure. Advertisement Meanwhile, several of the retirees who told The Local they were rejected have appealed, which means they may still have a chance of gaining nationality, depending on the interpretation of the administrative court of Nantes. It is also possible that the interior ministry will offer more clarification in the future to préfectures on how to approach retirees with a majority non-French income. Crucially, these changes are being applied to people who made their applications months or sometimes years ago. This is contrary to full legal changes - such as the revised standards for French language levels - which can only be applied to new applications . What did the circulaire say exactly? To clarify, a circulaire cannot change the law, but it can offer 'clarification' for how préfecture staff ought to process citizenship applications. In the third section of the circulaire - titled 'the autonomy of the applicant' - Retailleau instructed staff on what to consider regarding l'insertion professionnelle (professional integration) and le niveau et l'origine des revenues (the amount and origin of income). Retailleau wrote: "You will also, with some exceptions, reject applicants whose income comes mainly from abroad, as this shows they have not completely transferred the centre of their interests to France." Retailleau did not reference any exceptions for retirees, though he did remind préfecture employees not to reject applications with 'insufficient income' if the applicant is ill or disabled. The interior minister also explained that this requirement is to demonstrate 'integration' to France and a long-term commitment to the country. He also wrote: "The applicant's autonomy must be based on proven and sustainable professional integration that provides them with stable and sufficient resources. "This not only demonstrates the stability of their settlement in France, but is also an essential element of their integration into the national community. "The applicant's autonomy must be based on proven and sustainable professional integration that provides them with stable and sufficient resources."
Local France
16 hours ago
- Local France
8 big problems that France faces this autumn
September in France marks la rentrée - when the kids go back to school, adults go back to work and the parliament starts a new term. It's traditionally a time for new ideas, fresh initiatives and planned legislation - but a highly combustible political situation, not to mention international tensions, make this year especially difficult. Battle over the budget France still has a significant budget deficit to address. The country finally managed to pass its 2025 budget in February, after the first version brought down Michel Barnier's government at the end of December. This year, the same challenge remains. In July, French Prime Minister François Bayrou gave an overview of what a possible 2026 budget could entail, intending to cut spending by €40 billion. Advertisement Bayrou floated plans such as cutting two public holidays and freezing spending increases (including on pensions and health), except for debt servicing and the defence sector. However, Bayrou's proposed cuts have not been popular amongst opposition parties, and the budget could end up bringing down another government. Debates in parliament begin in late September/early October. READ MORE: OPINION: Bayrou's budget has infuriated everyone and may force France into fresh elections Strikes and protests French unions have opposed Bayrou's proposals for budget cuts, and there is a possibility of large-scale mobilisation in September. The country's third-largest union, Force Ouvrière, has issued a strike notice for three months in autumn in response to cost-cutting measures announced by the prime minister. A meeting of France's inter-syndical - the group representing all the country's major unions - is scheduled for September 1st, and it's possible that other unions could join FO's action. Meanwhile, a previously unknown online group has issued a call for a complete blockade of the country from September 10th, which appears to be rapidly gaining traction. It remains to be seen how disruptive the action could be. Agriculture law (Loi Duplomb) While the piece of agricultural legislation known as the Loi Duplomb has been signed into law , it is possible there will be pushback as its key provisions begin to be enacted. The law caused a great deal of controversy in France, with more than 1 million people signing a petition to scrap it, in large part due to plans to reintroduce the bee-killing pesticide acetamiprid. Ultimately, France's Constitutional Council, the country's highest court, struck down the contested pesticide provision. However, the final version of the law also includes plans to change the rules on water storage , a topic that has also become more controversial as more parts of France suffer from increasing temperatures and drought each summer. Water supplies have already started to become a flashpoint - there were violent clashes in the south-west town of Sainte-Soline where giant underground water storage basins were being built in 2023. Advertisement Start of EES The EU is due to bring in its new Entry & Exit System (EES) on October 12th, 2025, with a six-month phased introduction. EES will require passengers to give biometric details, including fingerprints and a facial scan, and an automated passport scanning to keep track of time spent in the EU for those covered by the 90-day rule. Although the system covers all of the EU's external borders, there are particular worries about the busy UK-France border. READ MORE: Travel to France: Your questions answered about EES And ETIAS Trump tariffs The EU seems to have struck a deal with Washington for a 15 percent tariff on EU goods entering the US market - but this is more of an outline agreement and negotiations continue on certain sectors. As such, it is unclear when the tariffs would actually come into force. Overall, France is not one of the worst-affected EU countries - Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium are expected to be the worst hit - but there are some areas and industries that would be hit especially hard. In 2024, French exports to the US were driven by aeronautics, beverages (wine and Cognac) , and pharmaceuticals. READ MORE: Why Normandy is the French region hardest hit by US tariffs Brexit cards As the first post-Brexit residency permits - known as the Article 50 TUE cartes de séjour or WARP cards - begin to reach their expiration dates at the end of 2025 and early 2026, the French government must soon announce instructions for card renewals. Advertisement Brits who were living in France prior to Brexit and have the five-year card should benefit from a simplified renewal process as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement - but at present it not clear exactly how the card renewals will be done (eg online or in person, using a special website or the standard ANEF site). The Local has been in touch with the Interior Ministry to ask about procedures for renewals. READ MORE: Latest: What's the deal with renewing the post-Brexit carte de séjour Immigration law As for other residency-related questions - as part of the 2024 immigration law, the French parliament voted to bring in stricter language requirements for certain residency cards and French nationality, from January 2026. READ MORE: Your questions answered: New French language requirements for foreigners Those making their first application for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year card, max duration of four years) will from January need to demonstrate a French level of at least A2 according to the DELF/ CERL international language scale. Those making their first application for a 10-year carte de résident (in most cases, available after five years of consecutive residency) will need to demonstrate at least B1 level in French - an increase from the previous requirement of A2. Those applying for French citizenship will need to demonstrate at least B2 level in French, instead of the previous requirement of B1. Citizenship applications from January 1st will also involve a written civics exam, with the details to be announced in the coming weeks. As such, préfectures have a lot of preparation to do this autumn, and many are dealing with significant backlogs. It is possible that the culmination of several new requirements could lead to more delays. READ MORE: New law: What's changing and what's staying the same for French citizenship? International situation This isn't a France specific problem of course, but the international situation remains tense. France has taken a lead when it comes to military aid to Ukraine, with France and the UK - as Europe's two major military powers - agreeing to a 'reassurance force' to be deployed in the country. The situation in Gaza shows no sign of improving and president Emmanuel Macron has pledged that France will formally recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. France, which has both Europe's largest Jewish population and its largest Muslim population, remains on high alert for the potential for the conflict to spark unrest or terrorists threats within Europe.
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
Fans flock to Finland to celebrate as Moomins turn 80
80 years on, the Moomins are still going strong. Finland's most beloved literary family, the Moomins, mark their milestone birthday this year with a joyful celebration in Tampere, home to the world's only Moomin Museum. The white, hippo-like characters created by Tove Jansson have been winning hearts since 1945, when "The Moomins and the Great Flood" first introduced readers to the curious little Moomintroll and his doting Moominmamma. Eight books, multiple TV shows, two theme parks and countless mugs later, the fandom is going strong. For Rosa Senn, who travelled from the UK with her wife Lizzie, the celebrations last weekend were more than just a fan pilgrimage – it was a full-circle moment. 'Moomins have been such a special thing in my life, my whole life,' Senn said, recalling how her Norwegian mother read the books to her as a child. When she and Lizzie spent the first year and a half of their relationship long-distance, a Moomintroll plush helped bridge the miles – and even made it into their wedding as ringbearer. Their Instagram account documenting Moomin adventures has even made them minor celebrities in the fandom, connecting them with other enthusiasts – like Stefanie and Michael Geutebrück, a couple from Germany whose apartment, according to Stefanie, 'looks like a Moomin shop'. And they're not alone. Moomin merchandise is big business, from mugs and plush toys to stationery and limited-edition collectibles. 'The Moomin mug is one of the best-known collector items worldwide,' said Selma Green, director of the Moomin Museum. But behind the fuzzy nostalgia lies a deeper story... Tove Jansson, who created the characters in the aftermath of World War II, wove in themes of love, resilience, and the search for safety. The first book was published as Finland emerged from wartime trauma, and Jansson used the Moomins to offer comfort – without shying away from darker undertones. 'Her first Moomin book came out in a dark era. She felt it was very difficult to paint, and she started writing what she called a fairy tale,' said Sirke Happonen, a Moomins scholar and associate professor at the University of Helsinki. 'I think she wanted to make a contrast – Tove Jansson loved contrasts – by writing about this beautiful world, full of friendship and love." Jansson's own life also made its way into the stories. Her long-time partner, artist Tuulikki Pietilä, was immortalised as the practical, no-nonsense character Too-ticky. Queer themes and fluid gender roles quietly infuse Moominvalley, making it a quietly radical world wrapped in whimsy. That world, however, has faced modern scrutiny. Debate was stirred this summer when it emerged that the character Stinky – a mischievous, fuzzy creature – was temporarily removed from a New York library mural over concerns it might be interpreted as racist. 'To me, this became quite a big surprise,' said Happonen. 'I have more thought about Stinky being close to a mole or a vole.' Still, fans are undeterred. As the Moomins hit 80, the sense of community around them feels stronger than ever.
