Twist and Turns – The Art Gallery of Kistefos Sculpture Park, Norway
Just a stone’s throw away from Oslo, capital of Norway, visitors are charmed by the contemporary and refurbished industrial art at the Kistefos Sculpture Park. Designers BIG (Bjarke Ingles Group) have added a little twist to the park, that doubles up as functional infrastructure and a visual feast for the aesthetic eye. The Twist Art Gallery acts, as a functional pedestrian bridge over the river. The iconic twist design actually controls the river banks, that had varied heights. Besides that, the bridge was added to form an access point across the river, so visitors are able to enjoy the park, that was built over an old wood mill.
The exterior of The Twist is ingeniously built, with raw aluminum strips. They are bent in a way, that creates the visual illusion of a stack of cards. If you think it’s visually unique on the outside, then just wait till you reach the inside. The south side of The Twist is, what designers explain to be the introverted side. It’s a wide double-height structure, with a monolithic entrance, that lacks any windows for sunlight to seep in. Visitors are amazed by the extroverted side. It is a large single-story area, with floor-to ceiling glazing across the walls, that spirals along the twist region. As the twist ends, it leads to a well-lit gallery area full of light, that looms over a stunning view of the old pulp mill.
Cross this unique bridge, with stunning modern and industrial artwork, gives an added edge of interest to the sculpture park and provides visitors with a continuous treat of aesthetic splendor. Whether you’re a fan of architecture, modern art lover or the great outdoors enthusiast, this place is definitely a unique destination of a lifetime.
Photography is by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- The Twist gallery, Kistefos, near Jevnaker, Norway
- Coordinates
- 60.22166, 10.36379
- Access
- The Twist is an indoor gallery inside Kistefos. Kistefos has closed for its 2026 exhibition season and says it reopens May 2, 2027; the gallery is closed outside the season. The sculpture grounds remain accessible outside the season with a NOK 100 area ticket from an entrance machine, but this does not open The Twist or other indoor galleries. Kistefos recommends the South Entrance for visitors with reduced mobility; check current access information before travel.
- Admission
- Kistefos currently lists 2027 in-season admission as NOK 210 adults, NOK 180 seniors, NOK 110 for ages 20–25/students, and free for ages 0–19. Outside the exhibition season/opening hours, the NOK 100 area ticket covers the outdoor grounds only; The Twist and indoor galleries remain closed. Confirm the ticket terms on the official site.
- Time needed
- No fixed total duration is published for a visit to The Twist or Kistefos. The operator’s one-hour figure is the length of its outdoor introductory guided tour, not the full sculpture park and gallery visit. The Twist itself is closed until the 2027 season opens on May 2.
- Best season
- For entry to The Twist and indoor exhibitions, visit during the 2027 exhibition season, May 2–October 17. The outdoor sculpture grounds have a separate off-season area ticket, but the indoor gallery is closed outside the exhibition season.
- Opening hours
- The Twist and indoor galleries are closed after the 2026 season. Kistefos announces reopening on May 2, 2027, with the season ending October 17; daily 2027 hours were not posted on the official site as checked Oct 27, 2026. The outdoor sculpture grounds have a separate NOK 100 off-season/after-hours ticket. Check Kistefos’s official hours page before travelling.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-24
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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