Consisting of 16 angels in human size in cement, modelled over dustbin armatures
These angels were given wheels so that they could move. Composer Geir Johnson produced sounds that buzzed out of speakers moulded into each angel, based on insects and birds, so that they could create their own sound world.
These angels have rolled through the centre of Oslo, for the opening of the Jakob Kultur church, after which they rolled through Wick in Northern Scotland, then on to London, English National Opera and a stay at Trafalgar square between Christmas and New Year. Afterwards, they visited the Church of St. Martin in the Fields and Salisbury Cathedral concluding with a roll around Sæby in Denmark. Over the course of the whole journey the Norwegian Solistkor and the soloist Siri Torjesen followed them, to perform the work ”Rolling Angels” by Geir Johnson, written specially for the work. They also had stays at galleries both in Norway, Denmark and London, as an installation where the stillness provided a possibility for reflection and the sounds were not mixed with sounds from the outside world.
Angels are, just like the figureheads, populist symbols, which everyone has a relationship to at one level or another. It has been exciting and enlightening to make a work that is as adaptable as this one, where audience participation and involvement have been crucial for being able to use them in the public space. They have been pulled and pushed through the towns by both young and old.
These journeys have also demonstrated the relationship that three different cultures have to angels as symbols, and the reactions to the angel sculptures’ effect on the public life. In Norway, with their Inner Mission traditions, most of the focus was placed on the sculptures as a missionary tool and the prejudices surrounding this. Both in the UK and in Denmark the curiosity was directed to a greater degree towards the connection between the spiritual aspect and culture, both in terms of content and historically. The angels staged confrontational and challenging situations by their mere presence. The character of the surroundings was changed by the arrival of this large flock of angels
ANGEL OF SMILES - as a symbolic portrait of Stasé Samuleviciené.
FOR THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE KAUNAS 2022 MADE FOR THE ANGEL MUSEUM OF LINKSMAKALNIS IN THE KAUNAS-REGIONEN
By sculptor Marit Benthe Norheim with inlad music by composer Tonje T.S. Norheim
Since September 2021 my installation titled Rolling Angels, consisting of 15 sculptural mobile angels, (modelled in concrete over second-hand rubbish bins) have been residing in Linksmakalnis. They have been used by a contemporary circus group who have pushed and pulled them through Linksmakalnis and Kaunas City. In addition to bringing this flock of Rolling Angels, I was asked to create an angel specifically for the small town Linksmakalnis, who would be staying there permanently. The sculpture was handed over on the 1st of October in Linksmakalnis, with speeches by the Elder/Mayor of the town, three representatives from the European Capital of Culture Kaunas22, Representative from The Danish Cultural Institute and the artist. There was also a handover performance by Džiugas Kunsmanas and Sigrid N. Ørntoft, accompanied by the music for the Angel of Smiles and a concert by local musicians.
Sept. 2021-Nov. 2022, Linksmakalnis, Lithuania - Kaunus 2022, European Capital of Culture
Rolling Angels is in Linksmakalnis where they will travel around the area and visit and occupy squares and towns, where they will tell the locals and guests angel stories and help warm Linksmakalnis up to Kaunus 2022.
February 13, 2021, Dresdner Heidefriedhof, Dresden, Germany
Every year on February 13, Dresden commemorates the destruction of the city in World War II and the victims of war and violence.
Rolling Angels were part of the silent memorial ceremony at the Heidefriedhof in Dresden on the occasion of the destruction of Dresden 76 years ago.
Photo: Anja Schneider
Rolling Angels in Dresden, Germany 2020 On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Dresden during the war in February 1945.
The flock of 17 Rolling angels where released into the public space in the center of Dresden in front of the Culture Palace on the 5th of February, in the presence of the mayor of Dresden, Dirk Hilbert. Then they moved around Dresden until the Memorial on February 13, set in the program as a Performance of 17 angels. A day when thousands of people held hands in a ring around the city to show that they are united for peace. The Angel Flock continues its journey in Dresden, until May 8, 2020, the day of capitulation. They want to use Rolling Angels as messengers of hope, comfort and peace.
