"Landskabshammeren" (2013)

Can a hammer be a symbol of preservation rather than destruction? Before you stands Landskabshammeren – The Landscape Hammer – a sculpture by the Norwegian-Danish sculptor Øivind Nygård. Cast in white concrete, it carries a clear message: Protect the untouched – protect nature. Inspired by the literature of Knut Hamsun, the work explores the relationship between humans and the landscape – between intervention and preservation. The sculpture was first exhibited at Bærum Verk during one of Nygård’s final exhibitions, and was later acquired by the artist’s family in 2013. Like many of his works, Landskabshammeren plays with ambiguity – balancing between the figurative and the abstract, between a powerful tool and a poetic reflection. In 2019, it was illuminated, further enhancing its visual presence. What thoughts does this hammer awaken in you? Is it a tool for change – or a reminder to let nature remain untouched?