HOW WAS IT LIKE TO GROW UP IN KRAGERØ?

Growing up in Kragerø was truly a privilege: Perpetual access to wild, clean nature: the coast and plenty of deep green pine forests, everyone knows everyone, it felt safe and I am very thankful to have been surrounded by such a good community and scenery throughout my childhood. 

 

  

 

 

 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

Definitely during summer, ideally around August! That’s when you will be able to truly enjoy the coast with warm temperatures but less tourism. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE SHOULD WE SETTLE DOWN WITH OUR LUGGAGES? 

Rent a cabin by the sea side, either around the city center, in beautiful Portør or in one of the surrounding islands like Jomfruland or Skåtøy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

DRESS UP OR DRESS DOWN? 

Dress down, but keep it chic.

 

 

DAY OR NIGHT?  

Day! Light is what feeds my soul, health and creativity. Essentially it is also the bread and butter of my job as a photographer.

 

 

 

 

 

WHICH ARE YOUR GO-TO LOCAL MARKETS?

“Bondens Marked” (Farmer’s Market) which is arranged once a month. You’ll find local delicacies like ling honey, “munker”, cured fish, “lefser”, veggies and much more.

 

 

 

 

 

EATING LIKE A LOCAL, WHAT IS A TYPICAL MEAL THERE?

BREAKFAST:
Steamy breakfast rolls or rye bread served with “pålegg” (all the stuff you add on top of your bread; like cheese, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs etc), sweet and tangy strawberries, filter coffee and cloudy apple juice from a local farm.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUNCH: 
November serves the best lunch and brunch in town. They also do great cocktails and wine in the evening. Big bonus: it’s literally at the waterfront and in the heart of the city center, perfect for people watching.

 

  

  

WHERE TO VISIT TO GET IGNITED? 

Edvard Munch lived in Kragero and painted lots of famous paintings during this period.

If you wander around you will encounter signs showing the paintings in that specific location or the location they are based on, in addition to the story behind them.

So essentially you can enjoy Munch’s work whilst exploring the city all the while! One of my favourite paintings are located in Steinmann: a viewpoint which is not to be missed as you can watch the whole city and coast from there. 

  

 

 

Try the Floating Sauna located at Gunnarsholmen and have a dip at the beach afterwards, only 5 minutes from the main city center.

 

Pop by Berg Museum for some history and art accompanied by a pastry and cuppa, ending with a nice walk in the forest or even a swim in the beach nearby.

 

Jump on the ferry to Jomfruland and take in the beautiful vision of the fjord on the way (it’s mandatory to enjoy a waffle and filter coffee enroute, just saying).

 

 

The 7km long, unesco protected island is truly special with white beaches, pebble stone beaches, wild goats and cows trotting around and an oak forest housing lots of rare, some endangered bird species

(the best way to take in the beauty of this forest is simply by laying down on the grass and listen to the bird chirping concert served).

When you sit down at the pebble beach, which is facing towards Skagerak/Denmark, it feels like it is the end of the world. As soothing as it gets.

 

 

 

 

In February I decided to take a round trip with the ferry around the fjords, super early in the morning, to watch the sunrise and the frozen sea. To experience the winter “safari” around the coast. The picturesque scenes were simply breathtaking: it’s incredible how sculptural and unique the ice becomes. Mother Earth is surely the greatest artist of all!

 

 

 

 

 

  

WHERE TO CHASE THE SUNSET?

At the South facing beach in Jomfruland, pure bliss. 
 

BEST KEPT HIDDEN GEMS FOR SHOPPING?

Liseanns for fashion, all the local charity shops for great interior finds.
 

 

 

FAVORITE SONG FROM CURRENT PLAYLIST?

Han Pan by Peggy Gou is currently on repeat 

 

FAVORITE ARTISTS?

• Barbara Hepworth,
• Roni Horn,
• Rinko Kuwaichi,
• Olafur Eliasson,
• Viviane Mayer,
• Agnes Martin,
• Cassi A. Namoda,
• Man Ray.
 

 
FAVORITE FURNITURE DESIGNERS?

Perhaps not the most original selection, but yet my faves:
• Poul Cadovius,
• Hans Wegner,
• Alvar Aalto,
• Charles and Ray Eames,
• Isamu Noguchi.

 
WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT PLANS IN 2021?

To try and stay covid free, manifest my energy into creating and photographing, hopefully finalise some projects and collaborations I set out to do this year, spend quality time with loved ones, move into a new flat, stay grounded. That’s as far as I can plan ahead in these uncertain times.