SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 . . . Fotografiska’s expansion continues. The world’s most foremost photography museum is opening in the Norwegian capital. In 2027, Fotografiska Oslo will open in the historic Deichmanske building in the city center’s Government Quarter. Fotografiska has become a global focal point for photography with locations in Stockholm, New York, Berlin, Shanghai and Tallinn, and has welcomed millions of guests since the opening in 2010. “We are incredibly proud of adding Oslo to the Fotografiska family,” says Yoram Roth, Fotografiska’s Executive Chairman.
History is everywhere in the well-known old Deichmanske in the middle of Oslo, where the country’s main public library was situated from 1933 until 2020. Now the building will soon embark on its next chapter with stories told on its walls, once Fotografiska Oslo opens at the heart of the Deich house of photography in autumn 2027. This is the world’s sixth Fotografiska and the second in Scandinavia. The ambition is, as is with its other venues, to create a cultural meeting spot that combines internationally renowned photographers with local talents and rising stars. The building is a central part of the new Government Quarter, with connecting parks, all due to open in the years to come.
“Being able to combine this beautiful, old architecture with a modern meeting place, inspiring photography, and exciting events felt like a unique opportunity. We understand that moving into this historic building comes with some serious expectations, and naturally we want to live up to these. Oslo is a cultural city on its rise and Fotografiska fits perfectly into the city’s new vibrant art and culture scene,” says Yoram Roth, Fotografiska’s Executive Chairman.
Fotografiska first opened its doors in Stockholm in 2010, with a major exhibition by the iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz. Since then, it has grown into a global meeting place for contemporary photography, always with the goal of maintaining the sense of the buildings and including the local art scene, both with exhibitions and events.
“We want to create a special moment for each of our guests. We view them not as visitors but rather as guests. You should have a fun, joyful, inspiring, and thought-provoking time with us, and each visit should offer a range of experiences. Norwegian photography maintains a high international standard and is on the rise. We have already exhibited such names as Simen Johan, Christian Houge, Margaret M. de Lange, Jonas Bendiksen, and Anja Niemi,” says Yoram Roth.
This autumn you can get a first taste of Fotografiska Oslo, when Fotografiska Stockholm lends the exhibition The Echo Chamber by the celebrated photographer Erik Johansson to the Nobel Peace Center, opening on September 19.
The new Fotografiska in Oslo will be operated by Deich and Møller Eiendom, together with Fotografiska’s global management team. Møller Eiendom owns the building and has Norway’s largest private photography collection.
About Fotografiska
Fotografiska: is the contemporary museum of photography, art and culture and one of the world’s leading museums dedicated to photographic art. Established in Stockholm in 2010 with the mission to inspire a more conscious world, Fotografiska has become a home for inspiration, inclusion and creativity. Fotografiska is currently located in Stockholm, Berlin, Tallinn and Shanghai.
Acquisition: Møller Eiendom acquired Deich from Oslo Municipality in 2020.
About Deich
Previous Use: Served as diverse rental and event spaces, including hosting the Oslo Negative Photo Festival, until it closed for renovation in summer 2023.
Architects: Lundhagem Architects AS
Interior Architects: Paulsen & Nilsen and GrecoDeco
Future Plans: The building will feature Fotografiska museum, several restaurants, bars, meeting-and event places, and programming. It will gain approximately 3,000 new square meters for experiences and exhibitions on ground level with it’s own Fotografiska entrance. The former backyard, will reopen as a glazed winter garden as part of the museum.
Aside from Fotografiska, the rest of the house will also be filled with photographs from the Møller Collection, one of Norway's largest private photography collection whose works span from the 1800's to today.
The Møller collection will be featured in the restaurants, bars, meeting, and event spaces in Deich.
Ownership: Møller Eiendom is owned by the family company Aars AS, which also owns the Møller.
Planned Opening: Late 2027.
At the Crossroads of Power and Culture
Located in the heart of the city center, a newly constructed Government Building Complex and the surrounding Hammersborg neighborhood area are undergoing a massive transformation. The area, which was damaged after a terror attack in 2011, is finally reconstructed into large car-free quarters to by 2027 once again house the Prime Ministries office, ministries, and thousands of government workers.
A large public park will serve as an urban oasis in the heart of the city. The library garden, with outdoor seating and direct access to cafés and bars, will be incorporated into this new green hub.
Oslo has finally taken its place within the Nordics as a destination for art and architecture, with the Opera House and the newly opened National and MUNCH Museums. Not to be overlooked is a vibrant food scene with 11 Michelin starred restaurants and one of the ‘50 of the World’s Best Bars’ of 2023. The planned world class photo museum will underscore the rise of the city’s cultural offerings - all of which contributes to Oslo’s reputation as becoming a cultural hotspot.
"So many new and exciting things are being built and created throughout the Hammersborg area. The district is perfectly located, where east meets west, politics meets culture and power meets the people. In the middle of this, the old library building will be a hub for new meetings and impressions," says Siri Løining, Concept and Development Manager. “Deich will be an open house filled with activities for everyone. It will feature restaurants, bars, meeting and event spaces, exhibitions, as well as a museum shop and winter garden. Our goal is to give back to the city by connecting the east and west parts of Oslo. We aim to stay relevant to the government quarter and actively participate in societal debates through the medium of photography.”
Media Contact: For high resolution images, or further information, please contact KVD Communications in NYC - Kathleen Duda kathleeen@kvdcom.com or Angela Nigoghossian an@kvdcom.com