Hjem Proposals for a new national memorial for 22 July Merete Røstad and Jad El Khoury
Røstad+Khoury’s sketch proposal for a new 22 July memorial site, The Fold, consists of three layers. The top, outer layer is a communal, vibrant, and grassy outdoor area with seating and a reflecting pool, while the middle layer serves as the entrance to the 22 July Centre and displays the names of the seventy-seven terror victims. A curtain of falling water sets the tone for serenity and contemplation and leads the way to the third layer, the 22 July Centre itself. © Merete Røstad and Jad ElKhoury / KORO

Merete Røstad and Jad El Khoury

Fold

Fold is an inclusive memorial commemorating the tragic events of 22 July. Located in Norway’s government quarter, Fold redefines traditional monuments by inviting continuous participation and reflection. It features three distinct areas: Above the Fold for community interaction, Within the Fold for peaceful contemplation and Below the Fold housing an education centre. This innovative space integrates serene water elements and annual artistic interventions, fostering a living testament to resilience and hope. The essence of Fold lies in its ability to evolve and adapt – reflecting the changing needs and aspirations of the community it serves.

– Røstad + Khoury

Read the full proposal here

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Sketch proposal for a new 22 July memorial site, The Fold, Merete Røstad and Jad El Khoury.  © Merete Røstad og Jad ElKhoury / KORO

Merete Røstad and Jad El Khoury

Røstad+Khoury emerge as the dynamic duo. This collaboration combines the expertise of Merete Røstad (1975), an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and artist-researcher, with that of Jad El Khoury, an artist and architect.

Røstad’s artistic and academic merits include a doctorate in artistic research from the Oslo National Academy of Arts (KHiO), awarded for her research, The Participatory Monument – Remembrance and Forgetting as Art Practice in Public Sphere (2018) and her international interdisciplinary research project MEMORYWORK supported by the Abakanowicz Arts and Culture Charitable Foundation and Norwegian Artistic Research Programme (PKU). As head of the MFA in Art and Public Spaces at KHiO and research leader for the Art and Craft department, she brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative perspectives to the collaboration. Her ongoing research on contemporary commemorative art practice in the public space makes her an invaluable asset.

Complementing Røstad’s artistic prowess is Jad El Khoury (1988), a skilled artist and architect. His passion was ignited during his formative years in post-civil-war Lebanon when he felt compelled to transform the urban landscape. He turned war-torn buildings into graceful, choreographed installations, with «Burj El Hawa» (Tower of the Wind, 2018) one of his notable works. His talents have received international acclaim and prestigious awards, including the Arte Laguna Prize for Urban Art and Land Art. He was awarded an artist studio at Rådhuset in Oslo until 2024. Khoury’s exceptional ability to transform the scars of war into poetic installations and Røstad’s expertise in engaging the public through participatory processes build a solid foundation with their high artistic integrity.

Røstad+Khoury’s multidisciplinary approach bridges art, architecture, and artistic research. Together, their vision aligns with the mission of amplifying the societal significance of public art within the public sphere. 

See all ten proposals to a national memorial for 22 July here