But first things first. Somewhere on the E75, much farther south, I’d contacted the municipality of Vardø, telling them about my project and the destination of my drive, the northeastern-most point.

And a couple days later, I received an invitation from Vardø to exhibit there. That changed something in me. Now I had a goal, a destination, and the knowledge that I’d be welcome there.

And they greeted me most warmly, indeed, and then … they stuck me right in the museum. Which is where I’m living, now. But am I already a museum piece? For an artist, of course, that’s as nice a compliment as there can be … but all jokes aside, it’s wonderful, living in this empty museum; I feel good all over, and I’m in good company. And of course, I’d learned the following beforehand:

Two days after my arrival, Vardø was going to open its new library at the town hall. And they ended up making the E75 exhibition’s opening a part of it, with all due honors.

My pictures now hang in the Glashuset, a modern addition opened three years ago. I’m also impressed by how a community of just 2,000 people can make a cultural statement. This community was hit hard by the decline of the fishing industry over ten years ago—a fact to which vacant buildings bear witness. So they decided to invite in street artists. There are interventions all over the port facility. And just like that, an entire street that could have been depressing was turned exciting. So they set right to dealing with things, discussing their most recent history. Is my hometown doing this, too?

I return home—to the museum—and ponder that for a bit.

Photo: Asbjørn Nilsen