The Fountain at Labyrinth Square

You are now standing by the beautiful Fountain, the oldest part of the Vigeland installation. Vigeland started modelling the fountain sketches as early as 1900. At first, he planned to place urns and human statues on the edge of the basin, but later altered these plans to the tree sculptures with people that you see today. Besides the practical task of transporting water, the central group also has a symbolic character. Just like the tree, water has been a symbol of fertility from ancient times, and it is possible that the flowing water in the fountain should be perceived as an expression of nature's renewing ability. It is certain that Vigeland saw the bearing men as a symbol of life's burden. Around the basin, there are a total of 23 tree sculptures and 60 reliefs on the edge of the basin. The symbolism of the fountain trees is entirely clear. The tree has been a symbol of life since time immemorial, and there are many references to it, from the Assyrian reliefs to Christian depictions of Adam and Eve under the tree of knowledge. The Ash Yggdrasil from Norse mythology could also be the starting point for the tree sculptures. The first main motif in the tree groups is therefore the introduction of the vast, life-giving nature that embraces humanity. The second main motif is that the groups together should give a picture of humanity; all age groups are represented in equal distribution, children, young people, adults and the elderly. The third main motif is the idea that existence is an eternal cycle without beginning and end. The individual ages and dies, the generation renews itself. The 60 reliefs around the edge of the basin depict, just like the tree groups, humanity's eternal cycle. As you walk around the basin, you will see the beginning of life from a child's curiosity to the daring initiative of youth. When you have come around, you will see old age where life fades out before death catches the reliefs in the eternal realm.