All kinds of contemporary art from Norway and beyond can be seen at the exhibitions of the Museum of Contemporary Art, opened in Oslo in 1988. The museum received a permanent location in 1990, settling at Bankplassen 4, in a building that had previously belonged to the Central Bank of Norway.
This extraordinarily beautiful building, constructed in 1907 by the Norwegian architect Ingvar Hjorth, is designed in the Art Nouveau style and finished with dark Norwegian granite. Large arched windows let in plenty of light, presenting the exhibits in the most favorable way.
The museum's collection consists of more than 5,000 works by Norwegian and foreign masters of postwar art. The collection covers almost all possible facets of the art of the second half of the 20th century and demonstrates various methods of conveying images to the viewer: paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations, video art. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, you can visit temporary exhibitions where emerging painters and sculptors display their works.
The atmosphere here is relaxed and easygoing. Most visitors are young people in search of new emotions and impressions. There is a small bookstore on the museum grounds where you can buy literature in different languages. If you get hungry, have a bite at the O.Hjorth cafe, whose menu features simple and hearty dishes: salads, sandwiches, pastries, tea, and coffee.
