Exploring Oslo - Norway - page 135

Aker Brygge is a unique shopping venue by the Oslofjord. It carries a wide
variety of merchandise, and the complex also includes restaurants, theaters, cin-
emas, and cafes.
SHOPPING A TO Z
ANTIQUES
Blomqvist Kunsthandel Built as an auction house by its original owners in
1870, this place is full of history and style. Its two large rooms have glass ceil-
ings creating tons of natural light. Inside you'll find either one of their six annual
auctions or one of their many Norwegian art exhibitions. In 1918 a gallery show
released the full collection of an artist by the name of Edvard Munch. His prints
and canvasses can still be seen here during temporary exhibitions. While this
venue acts as an auction house, items up for bid include antiquities ranging from
fine jewelry and paintings to furniture and sculpture. Tordenskiolds 5. & 22-70-
87-70. T-banen: Nationaltheatret.
Far & Sonn Brukt Antikkmarked This huge secondhand and antique
emporium sells just about anything for the home. Within its large open space
you'll find mainly 18th- to 19th-century furniture, including rocking chairs,
dressers, lamps, fine china, and antique bed frames. The array of merchandise
sold ranges from state-of-the-art electronics to rare out-of-print books. 3 Sanner
Gate. & 22-35-05-36. Tram: 1, 4, or 9.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Baerum Verk For a unique adventure, head outside of town to a restored
ironworks site dating from 1610. Here you'll find more than 65 different shops
selling handicrafts and other items, including jewelry and woolens, plus exhibi-
tions and six restaurants. If time remains, visit the ironworks museum on-site
and see a smelting production dating from the 17th century. Verksgata 15, Baerum
Verk. & 67-13-00-18. Bus: 143 or 153.
Kunstnernes Hus This is the best place to see and to purchase the latest
in cutting-edge Norwegian art. Meaning “The Artists' House” in English, this is
an artist-run exhibition hall for contemporary art that first opened in 1930 and
since that time has been one of the country's major showcases for the presenta-
tion of avant-garde national art. On the ground floor are two well-lit galleries
and a reception area, and on the floor above are two more sky-lit galleries.
Admission is 50NOK ($7.10) for adults and 10NOK ($1.40) for students and
ages 7 to 17. Children 6 and under go in free. Hours are Tuesday and Wednes-
day 11am to 4pm, Thursday and Friday 11am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sun-
day noon to 6pm. Wergelandsveien 17. & 22-85-34-10. T-banen: Sentrum.
Norway Designs This is the only store in Norway that came into being as
the result of a crafts exhibit. Shortly before it was established in 1957, an expo-
sition of Norwegian crafts went to Chicago and New York, and it attracted a
lot of attention. The upscale merchandise here—crystal, pewter, jewelry, and
knitwear—emerged from the innovative designs of that exposition. Stortingsgaten
28. & 23-11-45-10. Tram: 2, 8, or 9.
BOOKS
ARK Qvist This light, airy, and welcoming bookshop specializes in English
and Norwegian titles. There is a large focus on fiction from both countries as
well as extensive biography, history, and true-crime sections. Its convenient loca-
tion places it just next door to the American embassy. Drammensveien 16. & 22-54-
26-00. T-banen: Nationaltheatret.