Thursday 03.07.25

Exhibition: Kongsberg Jazz Festival 1964 – 2024: A design history.

Experience a treasure trove of graphic design that is unparalleled in Norway

Concert starts: 12:00 Single ticket price: ,-

Free

Don't miss the opportunity to see this unique exhibition during this year's festival at Quben! We show posters, printed matter and collectibles from 60 years of jazz!

Opening hours
Wednesday: 14:00 – 18:00
Thu-Sat: 12:00 – 17:00

Address:
Quben, 1st floor
Nymoens Torg 6, 8, 3611 Kongsberg

This exhibition was shown at Grafill in Oslo in the fall of 2024. Now we can also present it at Kongsberg, in its rightful element!

Kongsberg Jazz Festival is an institution in Norwegian cultural life, and has been held annually since 1964. Its 60-year history offers a treasure trove of graphic design that is unparalleled in Norway. On the occasion of its 60th anniversary in 2024, we are dusting off this unique collection and inviting you to an opening at Quben.

At the exhibition you can experience…

  • Posters from all years. Each poster reflects its contemporary visual expression and graphic style, and several have iconic qualities that have made them collectibles for Kongsbergens and jazz lovers.
  • A selection of programs, printed matter, merch and other collectibles.
  • In the same room, works by several of the artists who have contributed to the festival's posters are exhibited; Wenche da Cruz, Nils Skare, Sissel Gjersum and Morten M.
  • A separate "Axel hook" honoring drummer Axel Skalstad, who passed away this summer.

"Kongsberg Jazz Festival 1964 – 2024: A Design Story" was curated and produced in 2024 by the design office Smuss Studio, which is also behind the new visual profile of the festival. The exhibition was created in collaboration with Kongsberg Jazz Festival and the National Library, and was made possible by grant funds from Grafill.

The exhibition is open from July 2-5.

Other artists

Photo by Bugge Wesseltoft, Arild Andersen and Gard Nilssen
Kongsberg kirke
Friday, July 3rd / Time: 17:00

Bugge / Arild / Gard

Photo by Annie & The Caldwells
Energimølla
Saturday, July 4th / Time: 23:59

Annie & The Caldwells

Photo of Ghosted: Ambarchi/Berthling/Werliin
Energimølla
Wednesday July 1st / Time: 20:30

Ghosted: Ambarchi/Berthling/Werliin

Photo by Solveig Slettahjell and Tord Gustavsen
Kongsberg kirke
Thursday 11 December / Time: 19:30

Night in Bethlehem – Solveig Slettahjell & Tord Gustavsen

Pictures of festival posters Kongsberg Jazz Festival
Qube
Thursday, July 3 / Time: 12:00

Exhibition: Kongsberg Jazz Festival 1964 – 2024: A design history.

Pictures of festival posters Kongsberg Jazz Festival
Qube
Friday, July 4rd / Time: 12:00

Exhibition: Kongsberg Jazz Festival 1964 – 2024: A design history.