Maihaugen's Christmas tree 2017

Maihaugen's Christmas tree in 2018 created by Snøhetta. Kjetil Trædahl Thorsen and Jorunn Sannes. Photo: Camilla Damgård / Maihaugen

Every year Maihaugen exhibits a tall Christmas tree with decorations designed especially for this occation by an artist or designer.

This year 600 glass tubes filled with different materials decorate the tree. The installation is made by the well known Norwegian architecture and design company Snøhetta.

Recycling

Snøhetta had reuse and recycling in mind when creating the decorations. The glass tubes were left overs from a previous project, and the filling is various colorful, sparkling, decorative or special materials that were found in Snøhetta's office, like broken glass, paper strips, wires and even instant coffee!

Many of the company's employees have contributed to making the Christmas tree, with artist Jorunn Sannes in the lead.

Anniversary exhibition

Since this year is the 10th anniversary of Maihaugen's Christmas tree, the ornaments of the nine previous years are also shown.

The first designer was Per Spook in 2008. He decorated the tree with glass figures. The next year Pia Myrvold made ornaments of Plexiglas. Then Arne & Carlos put knitted Christmas balls on the tree, while Danish Karen Bit Vejle filled the tree with paper clips.

Then artist Gunnar Torvund made houses of different materials for the Christmas tree. In 2013 there were houses, moose and other figures of woodcut/veneer, signed the artist couple Hanne Borchgrevink and Tore Hansen.

In 2014 the tree was filled by metal flowers made by recycled materials by jewlery artist Ingjerd Hanevold. While the decorations in 2015 was mouth blown glass ornaments made by Kari Mølstad who lives in Lillehammer.

Last year, the design duo Anderssen & Voll was decorating the tree with white 3D-printed Christmas ornaments.

Maihaugen's Christmas tree is up from 1. December til 7. January. Then the Snøhetta-ornaments will be put out for sale in the museum shop.