Hinterland

HINTERLAND

I traveled to Norway to document the experience of driving along several roads that had been given the special title of Tourist Route. I intended to find a means to express my observations about the comprehensive experience of the roadways and the ways in which they shape our understanding of nature. The Gamle Strynefjellsveg route became the center of my interest and attention. I walked, biked, and drove along this historic mountain route located between Grotli and Videsaeter. The road was developed in the 1890s, built by hand, and required manual snow removal until the 1950s. The road opens seasonally, while a tunnel beneath the mountains is open year-round. Because its a pathway through the mountains, the Gamle road has become an opportunistic avenue for sight-seekers, with frequent pull-off areas providing views of the ridges and valleys. I divided a section of the road into intervals and created a painting every 3 kilometers on lightweight aluminum. My preferred working time was between eight pm and midnight when the long twilight created a palette of muted hues, soft gradations, and a narrow contrast range. I also kept notebook with entries on the materials at each site, the duration of the visit, and conditions of the day.