ANNEX artist group: It´s Good to have Friends!
A rose-painted container, decorated like a bunker, which the public can enter. The interior installation is inspired by Bodø's many bunkers from the Second World War

Inside the bunker, an audiovisual work is shown, including an extract from Jens Stoltenberg's speech to Congress in the USA, with the closing words it's good to have friends.

Rose paint covers all sides of the container, including the roof. This alludes to the concept of beautiful painting and links this to a traditional Norwegian/Scandinavian craft. In the Norwegian context, rose painting is often associated with nation-building in the 19th century.

The back of the container has a brass sign with the inscription: All mentioned, all forgotten and a names painted of the countries in which Norway has actively participated in hostilities. Underneath is a wreath. The text is a play on words and must be seen in connection with the memorial outside Bodø Cathedral, for fallen Bodø parishioners in connection with the Second World War. The original text reads None mentioned, none forgotten.

The container is linked to Norway's participation, and subsequent excuses, in international military operations, and the country's growing influence on the global stage through global trade and aid. The interior construction is inspired by Bodø's many bunkers from the Second World War and the ongoing debate about Bodø as a Scandinavian NATO capital.

ANNEX was formed in 2015 and today consists of Mona Bentzen and Kjersti G. Andvig. The group works on the basis of its own experiences and a shared interest in various aspects of migration and asylum policy, with a particular focus on the underlying causes linked to war and arms production, the human and environmental consequences, based on Norwegian policy. The aim is to create debate and engagement around important societal choices through traditional and non-traditional expressions and spaces.

Music at the opening
Øystein Fellberg - trumpet
Rolf Cato Raade - drums
Excerpts from Stars and stripes for ever and Valdresmarsjen

ANNEX artist group
Mona Bentzen and Kjersti G. Andvig

Rose paint
Geir M. Kåsastul

Carpenter
Jack Markussen

Brass signs and letters:
Interiørprodukter AS

Opening and closing
O. Johanson

Supported by
KORO, Biledkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, Norwegian Council of Culture, Nordland County Municipality, Bodø2024, Bodø Biennale

Sponsored by
Hydrogenparken AS, Thermokraft AS, Notodden Energi AS, Intracon AS, Notodden Renovasjon & Gjenvinning AS, CargoNet AS, Nordland Culture Center, Bodø Kran & Transport AS, Bodø High School, Dept. Culture Center, O. Johanson

Thank you
Astrid Stensønes Arnøy
Susanne Forsland