Art on Norwegian Banknotes, despite the controversy, I love it!
Norges Bank has been running a competition in 2014 for designers/artists to develop motifs for new banknotes based on the theme 'The Sea'. Two participants were selected our of the eight finalists by the judging panel: Ripple Effects by Enzo Finger, and Norwegian Living Space by The Metric System and Terje Tønnessen. However, the Bank itself decided to go with The Metric System and Snøhetta Design.
According to Norges Bank about the ongoing process of developing the notes: "The obverses from The Metric System are very well suited to the incorporation of necessary security elements. The expression is open, light and typically Nordic. Using the pixel motifs from Snøhetta Design as the reverse will give the notes both a traditional and a modern expression."
Norges Bank is exhibiting the competition proposals at Grafill's in Oslo, Rosenkrantz gate 21, from 7 to 26 October. The title of the exhibition is "Norway's New Banknote Series: The Sea".
Having visited Norway several times in my student days on working holidays, picking fruit along the Western fjords where the sea dramatically forms the land and the people, I find it exciting to see some of the old stoicism and parochialism translated into a currency that looks modern and artistic.
A catalogue is preovided by Norges Bank at:
Photo and catalogue PDF courtesty of Norges Bank.