The «Y-block» to be demolished in October

Oslo Municipality has given the go-ahead to blast the «Y-block» in the Government Quarter to smithereens. The Directorate for Cultural Heritage objects strongly to the demolishing of the iconic building in October, 2019.

“The demolishing of the renowned building starts in October, according to the plan. The Oslo Building Agency has given Statsbygg the thumbs up,” NRK writes.

“It is incomprehensible that a building of both high international and national value, with artwork by Pablo Picasso, and which is totally usable, now appears to be demolished,” State Conservator, Hanna Geiran, fumes.

“Posterity will condemn us for this!”, Geiran exclaims.

Pablo Picasso

The characteristic «Y-block», located in the Norwegian Government Quarter in Oslo, contains several works of art by Pablo Picasso. The most famous is «the Fishermen» mural, which is an integral part of the façade. That artwork will be taken care of, and form part of the redesigned Government Quarter.

That is far from good enough for artist Anders Nordmo Kvammen.

“It is a site-specific work of art. It cannot be separated from the Y-block. If it suddenly resurfaces in a power centre made of steel and glass – which in my opinion, to a greater extent, represents commercialism – I believe that it is laughing Picasso in his face,” Kvammen criticises.

Minister of Local Government and Modernisation, Monica Mæland (Conservatives), says that the Ministry «takes note» of the permit.

“It is good that the work to realise an upgraded Government Quarter can continue,” Mæland writes in a comment to NRK.

Demolition of the «Y-block» would be a loss

July 22nd national memorial in Oslo

July 22 movie filmed at the government quarter