Will Coldwell 

Art in the Arctic: SALT festival, Norway – in pictures

SALT festival is a unique arts festival that takes place on the beach of a small island in the Arctic Circle. These photographs reflect the remoteness of the site, the creativity that is on display – and the spectacular landscape that surrounds it all
  
  


The northern lights glow in the sky over the SALT festival site during the opening weekend. Even the locals were surprised to see such a strong display so early in the year.
The northern lights glow in the sky over the SALT festival site during its opening weekend. Even the locals were surprised to see such a strong display so early in the year. Photograph: Kristian Sivertsen/SALT festival
A man watches a performance at SALT’s main stage, one of three wooden prisms built specifically for the site. The structures are based on traditional fish-drying racks from the region.
A man watches a performance at SALT’s main stage, one of three wooden prisms built specifically for the site. The structures are based on traditional fish-drying racks from the region. Photograph: Will Coldwell/The Guardian
Artist Yang Fudong lived on the island while producing a film installation for SALT, which is projected onto screens on wooden boxes situated along the beach. The Northern Lights can be seen faintly in the background.
Artist Yang Fudong lived on the island while producing a film installation for SALT, which is projected onto screens on wooden boxes situated along the beach. The northern lights can be seen, faintly, in the background. Photograph: Gunnar Holmstad/SALT festival
Visitors to SALT festival attempt to climb one the largest of the three wooden prisms on the site. Lots of families attended the opening weekend.
Visitors to SALT attempt to climb one the largest of the three wooden prisms on the site. Lots of families attended the opening weekend. Photograph: Will Coldwell/The Guardian
Local girls sell Torr Fisk (dried fish) on the beach. The snack is a local speciality and it takes up to three weeks to dry the fish, which is usually cod. The fish needs to be hammered with a mallet to soften it before eating.
Local girls sell Torr Fisk (dried fish) on the beach. The snack is a local speciality and it takes up to three weeks to dry the fish, which is usually cod. The fish needs to be hammered with a mallet to soften it before eating. Photograph: Marte Antonsen/SALT festival
A view of Sandhornøya from the sky. The sparsely populated island in the Nordland region can be reached from the mainland by road - winding through the hills and fjords - or by boat.
A view of Sandhornøya. The sparsely populated island in the Nordland region can be reached from the mainland by road – winding through the hills and fjords – or by boat. Photograph: SALT festival
Festival goers gather around the main stage. Performances during the opening weekend included musicians from the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra and Norwegian electronic artist Biosphere.
Festivalgoers gather around the main stage. Performances during the opening weekend included musicians from the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra and Norwegian electronic artist Biosphere. Photograph: Gunnar Holmstad/SALT festival
The “amphisauna” at SALT festival is tipped to be the world’s largest. Capable of seating around 120 people the sauna has a bar at the back and fills up in the evening with those escaping the Arctic chill
The “amphisauna” at SALT is believed by some to be the world’s largest. Capable of seating around 120 people, the sauna has a bar at the back and fills up in the evening with those escaping the Arctic chill. Photograph: Kristian Sivertsen/SALT festival
Your room for the night: several
Your room for the night: several “njallas”– movable tents that sit on skis – are available for visitors to sleep in. The tents can sleep four and have beds made out of branches and reindeer pelt. Photograph: Marte Antonsen/SALT festival
 

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