New Gallery Showcases Films by OFKS Students

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Hjørnet will be hosting a two-day screening of films by students from Oslo Fotokunstskole on August 7th and 8th.
How did this collaboration come about, and what made you want to invite the students to show their work at your venue?
 
From the very beginning, when we started Hjørnet as a gallery and café, we wanted it to be more than just an exhibition space. We always imagined it as a place where different kinds of cultural events could happen—film screenings, book launches, lectures, music, and conversations. Hosting film screenings was part of the plan from the start.

The collaboration with Oslo Fotokunstskole came about very naturally. One of the students invited us to the graduation screening, and we were genuinely impressed by the quality and variety of the films. That's when we thought, "Why not invite the filmmakers to Hjørnet?" It felt like a natural fit. We already had the space, and it was a great opportunity to give the films another chance to reach a wider audience beyond the school.

We're really looking forward to welcoming the filmmakers in August and introducing their work to our neighbourhood. We believe creativity happens at the intersections—between disciplines, between people, and between ideas. That's the philosophy behind Hjørnet.

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Hjørnet is a newly opened venue in Frogner. Could you tell us a bit about your vision for Hjørnet and the kind of programming and events you will host?

Our vision is to build a vibrant cultural space where visual art is the foundation, while many other creative expressions can naturally come together.
Hjørnet presents a new art exhibition every two to three weeks, creating a constantly evolving programme. Alongside the exhibitions are live music performances, DJ evenings, film screenings, artist talks, literary events, workshops, and wine tastings. Rather than seeing these as separate activities, they're all part of the same cultural experience. One of the most rewarding aspects is giving artists and performers the freedom to interpret the space in their own way. Every event brings something new to Hjørnet.
Becoming a meaningful part of the local community is equally important to us. Located between Majorstuen and Vestkanttorvet, Hjørnet sits in a neighbourhood where many people pass by every day. The hope is that it becomes a place where people feel comfortable dropping in — whether for coffee, an exhibition, a film screening, or simply to discover something unexpected.
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What made you start Hjørnet, and who are the people behind it?

Behind Hjørnet are Daniela, an architect, and Li Xia, a designer, both with backgrounds from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO). Together, we shape the overall concept and direction of Hjørnet—from the space itself to the café, the pastry selection, the exhibition, and the cultural programme. We've always shared a passion for creating concepts and bringing together different creative disciplines.

An important part of Hjørnet is also Hilde, an art historian and the curator of Hjørnet Gallery. She shapes the exhibition programme and brings her knowledge and perspective to the gallery.

But what has really shaped Hjørnet is not just the three of us—it's the community around us. From the very beginning, our friends were our first visitors and biggest supporters. They bought coffee when we had just opened, helped us test ideas, lent us equipment, shared honest feedback, and encouraged us to keep going. Our neighbours have also played an important role. Kristian, for example, generously volunteered his time to make the seat cushions for us.

Hjørnet wouldn't be what it is today without all of these people. Their support, generosity, and willingness to contribute have shaped Hjørnet just as much as we have. 

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This is the very first time you are doing a film screening. Do you plan to host more screenings in the future?

Absolutely.

Film has always been part of the vision for Hjørnet, so this collaboration feels like a natural first step rather than a one-off event.

We hope to organise regular screenings in the future, especially for independent filmmakers, students, documentary films, artist films, and experimental cinema. We're interested in creating intimate screenings followed by conversations between filmmakers and the audience. We think that format fits very well with the atmosphere at Hjørnet. 

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You are doing monthly exhibitions. What will you be showing in the foreseeable future?
 
In fact, we've recently begun referring to our exhibition programme as Hjørnet Gallery, reflecting how central art has become to our identity.

Hjørnet Gallery exists alongside our coffee bar and wine bar in the same space, creating a relaxed and approachable atmosphere where people can experience art without feeling intimidated. Visitors often stop by for a coffee and unexpectedly discover an exhibition—that kind of spontaneous encounter is something we really value.

Looking ahead, we'll continue presenting exhibitions by both emerging and established artists while expanding our programme to include film screenings, live music, artist talks, literary events, and other cultural experiences. Our goal is for Hjørnet to remain a dynamic space that is constantly evolving and always offers something new to discover.

HJØRNET IS HOSTING A TWO-DAY SCREENING WITH FILMS FROM STUDENTS AT OSLO FOTOKUNSTSKOLE ON AUGUST 07. & 08. READ MORE ABOUT HJØRNET ON HJORNETOSLO.NO AND FOLLOW @HJORNET_OSLO FOR UPDATES ON CURRENT SHOWS, SCREENINGS AND EVENTS.

‍PARTICIPATING FILMMAKERS: STEIN BJERKAKER, MARIE LUIHN SUUL, CARL ASTRUP, MARTON HARTVIG, JOEL MIANCHO,ELSA LOFTHUS, ELLA BOLLINGMO, JOANNA OLICHWER, XIFEI PAN, EMBLA JOHANSEN, NORA AFNAN RAFAT, JOHANNE UDNES HANSEN, VILDE NERAAL, SANNA KRISTOFFERSEN, CHRISTIAN BAKSTAD, KRISTINE HARTGEN, ASK RIKTOR JOHANSEN, MALENE BREIVIK, ELLE WHITNEY, INGEBORG LØVLIE, TERJE TOLLESHAUG, ERIK ALSTAD.