Faldbakken's Unvandalizable Memorial for 22 July Unveiled in Oslo
In Oslo's newly developed government quarter, Matias Faldbakken's stone mosaic titled 'En opprettholdelse' (2026) was inaugurated as a national tribute to the victims of the 2011 terrorist attacks. Curated by KORO, the artwork was chosen through a transparent selection process that involved ten groups of artists and architects during an open seminar held in June 2024. The design incorporates a red steel barrier and a mosaic made up of 300,000 stones, crafted in collaboration with Fantini Mosaici and workshops with those impacted. It features a common snipe from Tyrifjorden, alongside the names of the deceased in raised metal lettering. Situated on Johan Nygaardsvolds plass, the memorial includes subtle flower holders and is built to withstand vandalism.
Key facts
- Matias Faldbakken created 'En opprettholdelse', a monumental stone mosaic memorial for the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and Utøya.
- The work was unveiled in Oslo's new government quarter in summer 2026.
- It was curated by KORO and selected by a jury after a public process with ten proposals presented at the National Museum in June 2024.
- The mosaic is made of 300,000 stones, created in collaboration with Fantini Mosaici and workshops with those affected.
- The memorial includes a depiction of a common snipe and the names of the 77 victims in raised metal lettering.
- Faldbakken's design is intentionally resistant to vandalism.
- The previous memorial by Jonas Dahlberg was scrapped in 2017 after public protests.
- Faldbakken's novel trilogy 'Skandinavisk misantropi' (2001-2008) is noted as an expression of his earlier ironic stance.
Entities
Artists
- Matias Faldbakken
- Pablo Picasso
- Carl Nesjar
- Jonas Dahlberg
Institutions
- KORO
- Nasjonalmuseet
- Fantini Mosaici
- AUF (Arbeidernes Ungdomsfylking)
- Paragone
Locations
- Oslo
- Norway
- Utøya
- Tyrifjorden
- Johan Nygaardsvolds plass
- Høyblokken
- Milan
- Italy