Kongsberg Jazz Festival 1964 – 2024: A design history

There will be an exhibition at Grafill with posters, printed matter and collectibles from 60 years of jazz!

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 has no parallel in Norway. We are now dusting off this unique collection and inviting you to an exhibition at Grafill in Oslo.

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.
• Recently digitized recordings of legendary concerts that have taken place during the festival. It will be the first time these recordings have been played to an audience since the recordings took place.
• A selection of films and photographs from the 60-year history.

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

Welcome to the vernissage on Thursday 17 October at 18:00 to 21:00.

The exhibition is open from Friday 18 October to Sunday 24 November.