Welcome to the opening of (Sinne) Käsin at the Vigeland Museum, which is Åsne Kummeneje Mellem's most comprehensive exhibition to date. The works I Never Learned my Mother Tongue (2021), Pehmeä paaro (2024), and Vekki (2024) are displayed across three of the Vigeland Museum’s exhibition halls.

Throughout the evening, there will be performances by the electro-poetry duo Petter Pogo and Kjersti Feldt Anfinnsen. They combine spoken word with music, creating a diverse and playful universe with a Kven orientation.

The title (Sinne) Käsin has a double meaning: In Norwegian, the Kven word käsin can be translated to "by hand" or "in the direction of," while sinne means "there." When combined, a new meaning arises: "towards there." In the exhibition, Mellem explores käsityö, the traditional Kven handicraft characterized by a pragmatic use of natural materials, often combined with reuse and creative solutions. This exploration of everyday craftsmanship is a consistent theme in her artistic work, where she continuously investigates what käsityö has been, what it is today, and how forgotten traditions can be made visible through new artistic expressions.

Welcome!