QUEER ICONS IN ÅLESUND

Queer Icons is a unique project that marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Norway by depicting the life stories of some of the foremost individuals and communities who actively contributed to the fight for freedom and equality before and after the repeal of Criminal Code 213 in 1972. As non-conforming individuals, they actively fought against discriminatory structures in Norwegian culture and society.

The exhibition and book Queer Icons are the result of a series of meetings that photographer Fin Serck-Hanssen and authors Bjørn Hatterud and Caroline Ugelstad Elnæs have had with these pioneering people in Norway who were born before 1970.

For the exhibition in Ålesund, Serck-Hanssen has photographed new queer icons with connections to Møre og Romsdal, and these are presented to the public for the first time. The local icons are Gro Dalen, Alice Slyngstad, Arild Mæhle Waksvik, Vidar John Myklebust and Jeanette Solstad Remø.

The book Queer Icons is published and distributed by Pitch forlag with editor Bente Riise and design by Den Luca. First shown in 2022, the travelling exhibition was curated by Antonio Cataldo, then Artistic Director of Fotogalleriet, with exhibition design by HAiKw/ (Harald Lunde Helgesen and Ida Falck Øien). Håkon Traaseth Lillegraven and Miki Gebrelul curated the public program, and Alf Ollett carried out the installation.

May 28: Opening of the exhibition, with AaUM and conversation at 18:00

Aalesund Youth Music Corps will perform the work John and Jim on the main stage, and there will be a conversation with two of the new queer icons, Gro Dalen and Arild Mæhle Waksvik, as well as Fin Serck-Hanssen and Harald Lunde Helgesen in the exhibition. The conversation will be led by Brita Møystad Engeseth.

Engeseth is herself one of the queer icons in the exhibition. She has extensive experience as a film critic, author and presenter for television and radio. She was also for several years deputy chair of LLH – the National Association for Lesbians, Homosexuals, Bisexuals and Transgenders (now FRI). She came out in 1986, and is thus celebrating her 40th anniversary as a professional lesbian this year.

May 29: Open exhibition 11:00-21:00
– Guttejente av og med Maiken Schjøll Frisch, main stage at 19:00-20:10
– Beharie intimate concert in the exhibition at 21:00-22:15

May 30: Open exhibition 11:00-16:00
May 31: Open exhibition 12:00-16:00
June 1: Open exhibition 11:00-16:00
June 2: Open exhibition 11:00-16:00

Queer Icons is supported by the Norwegian Non-Fiction Association for Authors and Translators (NFFO), the Norwegian Arts Council, and Fritt Ord. The exhibition in Ålesund is supported by Møre og Romsdal County Council.

For press inquiries please contact:
Jorunn Kjersem Hildre (Arrangementsansvarlig, Parken Kulturhus)
✉ jorunn.kjersem.hildre@alesund.kommune.no

For more information about the exhibition please visit:
⇱ https://www.parkenkulturhus.no/program/46808-skeive-ikoner/

For more information about the opening please visit:
⇱ https://www.parkenkulturhus.no/program/47094-apning-skeive-ikoner/