M A R T H A • S K O G E N
Marine pollution is an exponentially growing problem. This goddess/monster is a large public sculpture commissioned by the Trondheim Municipality’s Climate and Environment Unit (Klima- og miljøenhet) and launched in September 2024 with city officials and political leaders.
The 3-meter tall sculpture anthropomorphizes the water itself, using trash collected from the local ocean water and the Nidelva river. GYGA is a shortening of the word Margyge, an evil mermaid from Norrønsk mythology. My version has two faces, one benevolent and one that shows a sorrowful rage. Water can either support or destroy us and we can benefit by remembering that. GYGA, a creature made of our own refuse, rises out of the water to reflect a small bit of our consumption and entitlement back to us.
The sculpture uses a wide variety of techniques that include welding, cable weaving, bolting, etc. The marine trash was left intact as much as it suited the piece. It incorporates many symbolic references to artistic and cultural archetypes to reflect humanity’s concerns for the health of our waters.
It is located near the entrance to Dokkhuset at Solsiden, and will remain in place until September 2025.
(Summer overview photos by Rune Sumstad)