A family travel blog meant to track our family goals and to inspire the world that anyone with vision backed with SMART goals are meant to have their dreams come to a reality!
In an artwork you’re always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.” – Damien Hirst, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private museum of contemporary art and has since its opening in 1993 been one of the most important art institutions in Oslo.
The museum moved to Tjuvholmen in 2012, beautifully located by the Oslo Fjord in a building designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano. The museum shows changing exhibitions by leading international and Norwegian contemporary art and houses the Astrup Fearnley Collection. The collection is one of Norway’s most important and extensive private art collections, with iconic works by artists like Damien Hirst, Anselm Kiefer and Jeff Koons.
Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private museum of contemporary art and has since its opening in 1993 been one of the most important art institutions in Oslo.
It makes sense for us to see all forms of art, whether we appreciate it or not, whether we understand it or not, or whether we feel violated about the art or not.
When ask about our art impression, the word “perversion” is not bad description , art is mostly an interpretation of one’s desires and hidden ambitions, exactly how you may define perversion. Although, to be honest, Astrup Fearnley Museet’s exhibition during this time around’s visit is a bit too much for the kids.
They enjoyed the art installations, don’t get us wrong – we always do! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane!
They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane!
They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane! They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane! They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane! They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane! They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane! They enjoyed the art installations! Art is art and loving art is to worldschoolers as flying is to airplane!
Our visit to the museum during last winter is also fun learning experience.
“It’s not about finding relevance or perfection or imperfection in objects, but it’s that you can accept yourself and then go out and accept others. I try to educate people about materialism through my work. I try to show them real visual luxury.”- Jeff Koons, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
Art is life and is everywhere. Life is everywhere. Live through art everywhere!Art is life and is everywhere. Life is everywhere. Live through art everywhere!
“Ruins, for me, are the beginning. With the debris, you can construct new ideas. They are symbols of a beginning.” –Anselm Kiefer, Artist with extensive private art collections in Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
The City of Oslo is preparing for a car-free city centre and is almost there Equipped with electrified transport system, all city-dwellers and visitors can easily move in and around the city freely, easily and quite conveniently with a carbon footprint of zero! Isn’t that a great example for traveling kids- how to have it all with class no damage to environment? IT IS!
Oslo is the capital city of Norway and has a population of 658,390. The city is surrounded by the Marka Forest, a nationally protected area, and the Oslo Fjord, both connected by a number of waterways. Oslo’s approach to conserving its natural areas and restoring its waterway network is just one of the many reasons why it won the European Green Capital Award for 2019.
The city’s waterways have been subject to a new revolutionary strategy which has completely reversed the previous approach of enclosing these channels. They are now being actively re-opened in order to make them accessible for people, to efficiently manage stormwater and facilitate development and restoration of habitat.
Tackling climate change is a high priority for Oslo. The city aims to cut emissions by 50% by 2020 (compared to 1990) and to be carbon neutral by 2050. Oslo has introduced a range of integrated measures to achieve these ambitious targets, for example, by promoting zero emissions transport. The city has become the ‘Electric Vehicle Capital of the World’ with 30% of all vehicles now sold in the city being electric.
Improvements in cycling and public transport infrastructure, the introduction of car free zones, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles, will not only help the city reach its climate goals, it will also greatly reduce air and noise pollution, and enhance the urban environment for its citizens.
Innovation and the promotion of new jobs in the circular economy is a priority for Oslo and the city is at the forefront of circular use of available resources. Biogas produced from bio-waste and city sewage is used to fuel city buses and waste trucks.
Oslo also established the ‘Business for Climate Network’ to foster cooperation between the business community, citizens and NGOs in addressing the impact business operations have on the climate.
In 2016, the city introduced a ‘Climate Budget’, an initiative consisting of 42 separate measures across three sectors: energy and the built environment, transport, and resources. Carbon Dioxide emissions are now being counted in the same way a financial budget would account for funding. The unique ‘Climate Budget’ is one of the main initiatives that the City of Oslo is driving to reach its goal of 50% emissions reduction by 2020.
Exploring the city, the culture of green city is very evident. One thing that the kids enjoyed a lot are the scooters easily rentable around the city. We tried VOI Scooters and the kids had a blast. Our eldest traveller who’s so into the rules of wearing helmet while using the scooter was not comfortable disobeying them, so we have to cut our experience short – well done her!
FUN AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY -and yes, get us to places we want to explore more!worldFUN AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY -and yes, get us to places we want to explore more!Scooters everywhere –wwoooo!!! Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo. Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.FUN AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY -and yes, get us to places we want to explore more!
Scooters everywhere –wwoooo!!! Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo. Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.Scooters everywhere –wwoooo!!! Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo. Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.National Theatre Metro Station — Shared electric scooters to the streets of Oslo. Jump on a scooter anytime and ride wherever in the city – all free from emissions.
Global warming is real – it is man-made and it is an important problem. But it is not the end of the world. We need to show the kids that efforts are being done to address this real problem.
Tjuvholmen is a neighborhood on a peninsula sticking out from Aker Brygge into the Oslofjord. At the tip of the peninsula, next to the sculpture park, is an outdoor bathing area. The water leads out to the Inner Oslofjord.
A very cloudy and rainy morning in Tjuvholmen. Tjuvholmen is a neighborhood on a peninsula sticking out from Aker Brygge into the Oslofjord
The Tjuvholmen Square great for kids, there are a lot of non-conforming scenarios aka ideas that challenges the norm– from naked sculptures to messages around the dining areas – expect a good number of questions from traveling kids.
WHAT IF?? -If we killed humans at the same rate as we kill animals, it would take17 days to wipe out the entire human specifies.
Look up and play cool – kids are watching!Tjuvholmen on a brighter day!Tjuvholmen horse and our worldschooler with a big smile.
Visit Oslo notes the Tjuvholmen is a very recent addition to Oslo’s varied collection of boroughs. The buildings that make up the area are drawn by some 20 different architects, creating a concentrated display of current trends in architecture. Tjuvholmen is also characterised by elaborate outdoor spaces, including a city beach and several humorous outdoor artworks.At the point where Tjuvholmen meets the fjord you find one of Oslo’s main attractions, master architect Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnley Museum.Tjuvholmen may be knew in Oslo but this place will be the closest to our traveling family’s hearts in Oslo.
“From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity.” – Edvard Munch
The Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contexts.
The Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contexts
The Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contextsThe Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contexts
The Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contexts
The Munch Museum has the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s art, which is displayed in exhibitions where Munch’s art is put in relevant contexts
Edvard Munch was one of Modernism’s most significant artists
Edvard Munch was one of Modernism’s most significant artists
Edvard Munch was one of Modernism’s most significant artists. He is popularly known for his tenacious experimentation with painting, graphic art, drawing, sculpture, photo and film.
Munch was very good at portraying extreme emotions in painting, and he wanted to get a strong reaction from his viewers. His most famous work is “The Scream,” which definitely evokes intense feelings.
Munch left approximately 1,150 paintings,17, 800 prints,4,500 watercolours, drawings and 13 sculptures, as well as writing and literary notes to Oslo, Norway. The city is currently constructing a bigger Munch Museum close to the Opera House where Museum 2020 will rise.
“A work of art can only come from the interior of man. Art is the form of the image formed upon the nerves, heart, brain and eye of man.” – Edvard Munch
“Hope is not a prognostication; it is an orientation that no matter how things turn out, they can have meaning.” – Vaclav Havel
Family travelers are imparting the value of consistent hope. This is one of the many reasons we drag the kids around the world. Well, technically, just around Asia, Europe and North America for now. Hopefully, around the world soon enough.
This is our “Teddy Bear” in Doha airport, Hamad International Airport… the moment we pass this bear… hope hope hope Festival for all the very best out of our comfort zones!!From one airport to the next (this time Oslo Airport) – one huge way to burst that comfort bubble!
When a traveling family run towards a train station hoping to catch the train on time, that’s hoping for the best.
When a traveling family is almost get denied entry by an Immigration Officer to a country of destination because of visa application requirements concerns and all family members continue showing calm while presenting valid travel documents, that’s hoping for fairness and diplomacy.
When a first time family hikes in an unfavorable weather up a gorgeous landscape in a foreign country and keeps the hyper mood, that’s hoping for an awesome adventure.
When presented with a bad customer service and the traveling family maintain a good attitude towards all people, that’s hoping for the goodness of humanity.
Emily Dickinson may have written it in a poem eras ago, but as family traveller, it is in our traveler’s literature pack.
“Hope”is a thing with feathers (By: Emily Dickinson)
“In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person in a circle of millionaires than among vagabonds.” – Thor Heyerdahl
Thor Heyerdahl rose to fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean with the Kon-Tiki in 1947
Another Norwegian explorer breaking the ocean norm– why is that NOT surprising!
Thor Heyerdahl rose to fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean with the Kon-Tiki in 1947. He is obviously an adventurer-at-heart, an ethnographer in profession with a background in zoology, botany, and geography. In his famous Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, he sailed 8,000 km across the Pacific Ocean in a hand-built raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands. The expedition was designed to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between separate cultures. Heyerdahl also proposed that Azerbaijan was the site of an ancient advanced civilization. He believed that natives migrated north through waterways to present-day Scandinavia.
In 1984, he was appointed a government scholar and further adventures followed with voyages on the Ra and Tigris reed boats.
Thor Heyerdahl rose to fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean with the Kon-Tiki in 1947; This traveling girl’s first visit March 2018
Turknoys and Kon-Tiki, during their previous visit last winter (November 2018)
It’s fantastic to experience original rafts and up to date exhibitions on Heyerdahl’s expedition- the Kon-tiki, being the most famous, Ra, Tigris, Easter Island, Fatuhiva, Tucume, Galapagos, spelunking, under water exhibition and more!
What a really admirable explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Probably the coolest Thor we’ve read about, way better than the one with the hammer.
Kon-Tiki, the greatest sea adventure of our time.Kon-Tiki, the greatest sea adventure of our time.
More of Thor Heyerdahl’s famous quotes illustrate his determined and adventurous personality:
“Some people believe in fate, others don’t. I do, and I don’t. It may seem at times as if invisible fingers move us about like puppets on strings. But for sure, we are not born to be dragged along. We can grab the strings ourselves and adjust our course at every crossroad, or take off at any little trail into the unknown.” – Thor Heyerdahl
“Borders? I have never seen one. But I have heard they exist in the minds of some people.” – Thor Heyerdahl
We are all born in a little port but not all of us sail the vast oceans.” – Mehmet Murat íldan
View of Aker Brygge — an elegant neighbourhood in central Oslo, Norway
Aker Brygge is a neighbourhood in central Oslo, Norway. It is a popular area for shopping, dining and entertainment, as well a high-end residential area. For our family’s third visit to Oslo, we have chosen to enjoy these area and we didn’t regret this even for a tiny second.
Aker Brygge – their playground for 17 days! ❤️
Universe happens for us — we want a yacht and really, that’s not a lot. To be more specific, a Norway-based yacht 😄cruises depart day in and day out for passing through the scenic Oslo Fjord.
At street level Aker Brygge a vibrant commercial district, and the large open-air areas and indoor shopping street are often used for photo exhibitions, concerts and pop-up events for fashion, art and culture.
For more than a century Aker Brygge was the site of a shipyard, Akers Mekaniske Verksted. The architecture at Aker Brygge is distinctive, with its combination of old, venerable shipyard buildings and modern architecture.
Part of the Central area, Aker Brygge’s pier is fabulous and majestic, to say the least. Eateries outdoor tables serve upscale Nordic, Italian or casual menus like burgers and steak. There are a lot of Oslo food trucks to choose from. A popular summer boat bar is moored nearby, ferries and cruises depart day in and day out for passing through the scenic Oslo Fjord.
Local cultural draws include the Nobel Peace Center, with exhibits on the famous prize and the striking Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.
Local cultural draws include the Nobel Peace Center still under renovation for more improvements!
Enjoying the almost midnight sun in Aker, Brygge Oslo, Norway
striking Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.
Aker Brygge is a port of happiness and elegance in Oslo, Norway!
Visit Vikingskipshuset for a face to face experience with some of the world’s greatest Viking treasures! The best preserved Viking ships in the world and unique burial artifacts from boat graves around Oslo Fjords. These ships have been on voyages of the sea before they became the final resting place to their wealthy owners.
Incredible woodcarvings, mysterious skeleton remains and Viking era mood; definitely out of the ordinary!
Face to face with some of the world’s greatest Viking treasures!Incredible woodcarvings, face to face with Viking artifacts seem surreal 😀
The Ship Graves
The Viking Ship Museum houses four Viking ship burials from Oslo Fjord area: those found in Oseberg, Gokstad, Tune and Borre. All four were excavated between 1852 and 1904. Three of the graves contained ships that have survived to this day, the Oseberg ship was built AD 820, the Gokstad ship shortly before AD 900 and the Tune ship AD 910.
The three ships had been at sea for several years before they were pulled ashore and used as burial ships. The dead were placed in burial chambers built on board the ships. They were buried with generous supplies of food and drink, various animals and a large number of objects
The Oseberg ship was used as grave ship for two women, while Gokstad and Tune servedas grave ships for men. Most of the objects in Oseberg and Gokstad graves were well preserved because the ships had been buried in moist ground and covered with clay and turf. Both Oseberg and Gokstad had been looted in the Viking Age; no jewelry or weapons were found.
The Discovery of the Oseberg Ship
The Oseberg ship burial was discovered in the autumn of 1903 on the Lille Oseberg farm in Vestfold county. The following summer excavations were carried out, led by professor of archeology Gabriel Gustafson. While the excavation itself took five months, it would take 21 years to complete the conservation and restoration of the ship and its grave finds.
The ship was complete but crushed when it was found, The many pieces had to be slowly dried before being pieced back together. The Vikingskipshuset consists of over 90% of the original wood.
Two Wealthy Women
When excavating the Oseberg Ship in 1904, the archeologist found the remains of two women. One of them could have been in her fifties when she died, the other around 70-80 years. But who is the main person in the grave?
The Oseberg mound with its rich array of grave goods indicates that one or both of them played an important political – and perhaps also religious – role. Their kin and community used the ship grave and the burial ritual and to mark the importance of the women. Is it possible that one of the women was sacrificed to accompany the other to the grave?
Both women were approximately 153 cm tall. The younger woman had healthy teeth with little sign of wear, indicating that she had enjoyed a good diet. Throughout her life she had used a metal toothpick to clean her teeth. A broken collar bone shows that was injured some weeks before her death, but the skeletal remains do not reveal the cause of her death.
The skeleton of the older women shows signs that she had been seriously ill during childhood. In old age, she suffered from osteoporosis, a lumbar fracture, two fused neck vertebrae and a knee injury, which most likely had made her stoop and walk with a limp. The woman suffered from advanced cancer, and had probably been in great pain in her final years.
The Oseberg mound with its rich array of grave goods indicates that one or both of them played an important political – and perhaps also religious – role
The Oseberg mound with its rich array of grave goods indicates that one or both of them played an important political – and perhaps also religious – role
Prototype and functional Oseberg Ship in Tonsberg, Norway
“I see life as a passageway, with no fixed beginning or destination,” We tend to focus on the destination all the time and forget about the in-between spaces.” –Do Ho Suh quote during his colorful exhibition of structures to represent his experience of migration
It takes a creative city to create art structures that will have different meaning and impact to its residents and visitors. It takes a cosmopolitan city to create diverse art structures from international artists that sparks creativity.
Off our worldschoolers to hunt for the tiny little bronze statues in the city. They found it and didn’t count – 50,000 of them in total.
Expectation – tiny bronze statues, 50 thousand of them in total
Grass Roots Square was created by Korean-American artist Do Ho Suh. Some pavers in the square have been removed and replaced by tiny bronze statues, 50 thousand of them in total, ranging in height from 8-10cm. They’re standing together, interacting, and some of them are sharing the weight of paving stones. The project was designed and approved before the terror attacks, but somehow that makes the little people standing together in solidarity seem all the more poignant.
Turknoys Reality – counting them?!tiny bronze statues, 50 thousand of them in total,Now she’s part of this art!
It is our hope that contemporary art like this inspire our traveling kids that anything can be done to express creativity, that the world is a blank canvass for them to paint on.. or an empty pavement to install tiny little creations! Because no matter how tiny, there’s strength in numbers of trial and error.
Have you see the art of Do Ho Suh? Are you impressed?
“If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.” – Alfred Nobel
Oslo City Hall (Norwegian: Oslo rådhus) is a municipal building in country capital, Oslo, located in the northern part of Pipervika neighborhood and faces Oslofjord. It houses the city council, the city’s administration and various other municipal organisations. The building as it stands today was constructed between 1931 and 1950. It was designed by architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson.
Our Small Friends Exhibition besides the Oslo City Hall
Oslo City Hall is built of red brick and has two towers, one 63 meters tall and other 66 meters tall. The bricks used are larger than what was typical at the time of construction, but are roughly the same size as bricks used in the Middle Ages. The bricks – measuring approximately 27,5 x 13 x 8,5 cm – were produced by Hovin Teglverk in Oslo. The eastern tower has a set of 49 bells
On December 10 each year, during the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, the Oslo City Hall hosts the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in which the annual laureate gives his or her lecture and is awarded the medal and diploma.
A podium for the laureate and the Nobel Committee is erected in the far end of the hall for each ceremony. The Norwegian Royal Family and Prime Minister attends the ceremony.
Inaugurated in 1950, Oslo City Hall is the city’s administrative body and the seat of the City Council.Enter a captionThe building has been decorated by great Norwegian art from 1900-1950, with motifs from Norwegian history, culture and working life.Future Nobel Peace Prize Laureate – it’s in his smile already!
On December 10 each year, during the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, the Oslo City Hall hosts the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in which the annual laureate gives his or her lecture and is awarded the medal and diploma.
There are free tours inside the Oslo City Hall. Have you seen the interior of this administration building?
Turknoy Travels 100! 