The exhibition Unknown Landscapes introduces stories previously untold. In this exhibition you will meet a few of the 900.000 who emigrated from Norway – each with their own unique story to tell. We delve into Norway’s migration history as told by those who have experienced it. We also take a closer look at a few myths surrounding immigration to America.

“The empty land” Was it really empty? Or did someone live off the land Norwegians were given for free or bought for next to nothing?

“In the US anyone could succeed as long as they worked hard” Did that apply to everyone or where some immigrants given privileges? Where in the American racial hierarchy were Norwegians to be found?

“Norway was a poor country at the time” Was that really the case? And were our emigrants primarily poor people?

In their letters home many wrote about large farms and abundant crops. What happened to those who were never heard from again?

The exhibition also accentuates the similarities between historical emigration from Norway and current immigration to Norway. Images and letters from our emigrants are presented alongside the same from our present-day immigrants.

In the exhibition's video installation by Damir Avdgić, we meet five young adults who all came to Norway as refugee minors in the 1990’s. They present testimonies from the period 1980–95 regarding the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. During the presentation, the participants interrupt their roles and switch between languages. They review the history they have in common and share their experiences of national, political and social belonging.

About the artist

Damir Avdagić's works with historical memory and identity through text, performance and video. An essential part of Avdagić's family history is the conflict in former Yugoslavia. He uses this as a starting point to address themes such as changing political systems, migration and intergenerational relationships.