Kilden & Competence Center
Kristiansand now!
Kristiansand Now! is what could be described as a symphonic walking theater performance. It is a snapshot of the city as it is in 2019. To achieve this, we are transforming nearly the entire Kilden small installations and various forms of artistic expression. Over 30 different elements are placed throughout the building.
For about an hour, the audience was free to wander around the Kilden grounds as they pleased. The individual audience member’s choices therefore constituted the performance. Its dramaturgy, meaning, and flow were thus created by how the audience chose to explore Kilden Kristiansand.Now. Over ten newly written texts were performed throughout the building. Some in the middle of the foyer—others you had to search for. In addition, visitors could experience selected works from the Tangen Collection, listen to mini-concerts by musical groups or soloists, engage with interactive artworks, meet politicians and other professionals, or simply play chess. The possibilities were many—and each individual chose their own journey. Their own story within the larger whole of which we are a part.
Magnar Åm composed a new musical work that served as the framework for the entire Kristiansand.Nå production. It featured opera singers, a full orchestra, smaller ensembles, and a choral piece performed by our very own Sølvstruper Konsertsalen the end of the performance in Konsertsalen .
Here is a selection of the artworks, texts, and installations that visitors could interact with during the performance. As mentioned, there are dozens of them, so here are just a few examples:
Plate-breaking and gluing in the foyer: A plate-breaking station was set up in the north foyer. Here, visitors could write down something that was bothering them on a plate, perform a ritual, let go, and smash it. Then they could watch as the pieces were picked up and taken to another location—where they were glued back together. Here, visitors could try to recreate the old plate, or create something completely new from old junk!
The Meeting Place: In Frihavn, people from various professional backgrounds gathered for a cup of coffee or tea and perhaps a small cookie. Here, they exchanged thoughts, experiences, hopes, and dreams.
Kari Onstad and Waffles: Kari Onstad, who has gradually become a beloved and well-known figure at Kilden, came to Multisalen perform Gaute Heivoll’s newly written script for the show. Waffles were also served here.
Fotspor’s research: Our theater group Fotspor wanted to explore how people prefer to be greeted. To move through certain areas of the building, you had to choose—would you rather greet someone with a handshake, a hug, or a high five?
Zeshan Shakar by Ulrik Waarli Grimstad: Bestselling author Zeshan Shakar, the man behind “Tante Ulrikkes Vei,” contributed a text to the performance. It is titled “I stua di” and was performed by our very own Ulrik Waarli Grimstad.
Mindfulness: In an age when there are courses on just about everything, it made sense to introduce a mindfulness program for an optimal bathroom visit as well! Here, there were voices in the bathroom that you shouldn’t let scare you. By listening to them, they guided you toward the best possible bathroom visit.
Sven Henriksen on social control: Author, actor, and social commentator Sven Henriksen returned to Kristiansand to perform his self-written monologue titled “Revelation of John.” Based on his own experiences growing up in a family affiliated with a strict religious sect.
Write a letter to a politician: In an era where the path to the highest level of public debate is unclear, it’s hard to know how to engage with our country’s elected officials. That’s why we turned things on their head. Whoever was best at making paper airplanes and managed to land their letter on the politician’s hat would be heard. The invited politicians promised to read the questions or thoughts—and perhaps even bring them up in the Storting itself?
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