Artist Talk with Toril Johannessen

Toril Johannessen is an exciting artist based in Bergen, working across a variety of media including printmaking, textiles, and installation. Johannessen has gained international recognition with an extensive exhibition practice both in Norway and abroad. Earlier this year, she was the featured artist at the Bergen Festival with the exhibition «Avskrekking og beroligelse», which explores the geopolitical situation in the Arctic and the military presence in the region.

Her work spans from research-based and systematic information gathering to sensory expressions through form and materials. A major interest in her practice is the structures and frameworks for knowledge, ranging from folk knowledge to scientific methods. A recurring theme in her work is how historical, political, and technological conditions shape how we perceive the world.

This evening's conversation will focus on her artistic practice in light of the question, ‘What is unique about artistic competence?’. This year, Trondheim Open has invited artist Edvine Larssen to curate the festival’s professional program under the theme «KUNSTNERKOMPETANSE – hva er det, og hva kan det være?», with this artist talk being part of the exploration.

“We live in an unsettled world where art and artists must also be considered from a preparedness perspective. Through their work, artists are trained for quick adaptation, to ask critical questions, think innovatively, and face the unknown. At the same time, we live in a highly specialized society, where competence is required in every field. Artistic competence is often not clearly defined. Through these events, I aim to explore what it is and what it can be – together with others.”

– Edvine Larssen

Toril Johannessen (b. 1978) lives and works in Bergen. She holds degrees from the Mountain School of Arts in Los Angeles, California (2011), and from Bergen Academy of Art and Design (2008). Her exhibitions include «Avskrekking og beroligelse» at Bergen Kunsthall (2024), «Unlearning Optical Illusions» at Trondheim Kunstmuseum (2016), Documenta(13) in Kassel (2012), «Liquid Properties» with M. Dijkman for Munchmuseet i Bevegelse (2018), and «Norsk natur» with Tue Greenfort at the Museum of Contemporary Art (2016). Her works are part of collections such as KODE – Art Museums of Bergen, the National Museum of Art, and the Northern Norwegian Art Museum. She has also completed public art projects for KORO, including for the University of Bergen, Bergen City Hall, and the upgraded Evenes Air Base in Nordland. www.toriljohannessen.no

Edvine Larssen (b. 1977) lives and works in Trondheim, with studios at Rake and Stokkøya. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma from CCA Kitakyushu in Japan (2007), an MFA from the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (2005), and a BA Honours from Kingston University in London (2001). She earned a Ph.D. in artistic research from PKU/NTNU in 2018. Larssen works both materially and conceptually, at the intersection of performance, sculpture, and architecture. She creates both within and beyond traditional gallery spaces, referring to her practice as "Passage Works" – artworks that are not static, but require movement, change, and active engagement from the viewer. In January 2026, she will present a major solo exhibition titled «Isfjellteknikk» at K.U.K. in Trondheim. www.edvinelarssen.com