The exhibition of young Austrian art that Kunstnernes Hus now has the pleasure of presenting has been made possible as part of the cultural agreement between Austria and Norway. On a trip that representatives of Kunstneres Hus undertook to inform themselves about contemporary art in Austria, interest soon focused on what seemed to be a common denominator for a number of young people - namely a combination of a clearly defined, often almost constructive form and a poetic expression that can tend towards the metaphysical. This contemplative art stands in clear contrast to the "fierce" expression that has been so dominant in recent years. It is interesting to note that similar tendencies can be traced in young Norwegian visual art. The exhibition presents young artists, some of whom are unestablished and relatively unknown, who are still very much in the process of clarifying and deepening their individual positions. In a certain sense, the exhibition can thus be said to reflect a process; we get a close look at the creative process itself and gain insight into tendencies that are just now beginning to manifest themselves. Grita Insam's gallery in Vienna is an important catalyst for these efforts, and Kunstnernes Hus has drawn heavily on her knowledge and insight during the preparatory work.

The path from the first concept to the finished exhibition has in this case been exceptionally short. Grita Insam and Beatrice Schlanitz have shown great efficiency in their work with the arrangements, and the Austrian cultural authorities have followed up with corresponding great agility. From the point of view of the Kunstnernes Hus, the project has developed in an exemplary manner, and at such a pace that one would think there were bureaucratic shortcuts.

Many individuals have contributed to the exhibition. Without mentioning names, our thanks go first and foremost to the Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Sport and the Galerie Grita Insam in Vienna, and the Austrian Embassy in Oslo. On the Norwegian side, our thanks go to the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Homansbyen Credit Union and all others who have made their contribution. It has been a long time since Kunstnernes Hus presented contemporary art from Austria, but many still remember Joannis Avramidis' large solo exhibition in 1968 as one of the truly significant manifestations in the House's history. It is our hope that the exhibition we are now showing will contribute to strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.

Arne Malmedal, Chairman of the Board - Kunstnernes Hus