Sculpture stop: "Gripping" - Gjøvik

Artist Richard Deacon has created an amalgamation of his impressions from Gjøvik in the form of a five-metre high sculpture in sand cast aluminium. Gripping is enthroned in front of Fjellhallen in Gjøvik.  It does not depict a specific shape and if we approach and move around it, it gives the impression of being composed of different elements that have been melted together.  Associations of stone and mountains are immediate, and Gripping can be viewed as a site-specific commentary.

The artist's comment
“The sculpture is inspired by Fjellhallen, a huge cave inside the mountain, and the industrial activity in Gjøvik - especially when it comes to fishing tackle” says the artist Richard Deacon.

The symbolism behind “Gripping”
Fjellhallen is known for its climbing walls and the sculpture’s title Gripping emphasises a requisite when climbing: maintaining a firm grasp on the hand- and footholds. But references to the factory O.Mustad & Søn in Gjøvik are also hidden in the title. The factory produces fish hooks, paper clips and nails, objects that are designed to grip and hold. And although we cannot see it directly, the climbing walls, the paper clips and the fish hooks are all elements in the artwork, melted into a composite whole. The forms, functions and variations of hooks and fastenings created the background for Deacon’s work with the sculpture.

About Richard Deacon
The British artist Richard Deacon is internationally well-known and has won a series of prizes. In 1987 he won the Turner Prize which is awarded annually to a British artist. His public sculptures are to be found throughout the entire world.

Artist Richard Deacon has created an amalgamation of his impressions from Gjøvik in the form of a five-metre high sculpture in sand cast aluminium. Gripping is enthroned in front of Fjellhallen in Gjøvik.  It does not depict a specific shape and if we approach and move around it, it gives the impression of being composed of different elements that have been melted together.  Associations of stone and mountains are immediate, and Gripping can be viewed as a site-specific commentary.

The artist's comment

“The sculpture is inspired by Fjellhallen, a huge cave inside the mountain, and the industrial activity in Gjøvik - especially when it comes to fishing tackle” says the artist Richard Deacon.

The symbolism behind “Gripping”

Fjellhallen is known for its climbing walls and the sculpture’s title Gripping emphasises a requisite when climbing: maintaining a firm grasp on the hand- and footholds.But references to the factory O.Mustad & Søn in Gjøvik are also hidden in the title. The factory produces fish hooks, paper clips and nails, objects that are designed to grip and hold. And although we cannot see it directly, the climbing walls, the paper clips and the fish hooks are all elements in the artwork, melted into a composite whole. The forms, functions and variations of hooks and fastenings created the background for Deacon’s work with the sculpture.

About Richard Deacon

The British artist Richard Deacon is internationally well-known and has won a series of prizes. In 1987 he won the Turner Prize which is awarded annually to a British artist. His public sculptures are to be found throughout the entire world.