Photo Nørstegard: Johannes Selvaag

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A bell from Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria, is considered the oldest bronze bell in the world. It is dated to be around 3000 years old. The cradle of bell casting was in Asia. Bells came to the Nordic countries very early, and in 830 Bishop Ansgar is said to have introduced the use of bells in Denmark and Sweden. In Europe, the hours of the day have been marked since the 7th century.

Several people point out that it was the ringing of bells that was convincing when Christianity came here. The faith was simply rung into the hearts of people. This is well connected with the local legend of Ulvei in Sør-Fron. Ivar Kleiven writes it this way in Fronsbygdin (1930):

“In Skuthella and before Kjorstad there lived a Jutulkvinnfolk in ancient times, before Saint Ola came and introduced Christianity here in the valley. She is called Ulvei, and when a church was built at Fron and the church bells could be heard throughout the village, Ulvei was so angry that she threw two huge grey stone blocks at the church.”

In the project Matklokker (Food Bells), folk musician Rasmus Kjorstad has recorded and documented old stable bells in Sør-Fron in Gudbrandsdalen. This spring, Kjorstad has worked on a tingswerk (a musical instrument) and a food bell signal for the opening of the new school in Sør-Fron in 2026. For the exhibition at Harpefoss Hotel, Kjorstad has invited Johannes Selvaag to create a photo series based on the material and the farm bells. In the exhibition, you can also hear the sound of each bell and an example of a ringing signal.

The bell towers were elaborate and distinct in the landscape. They are characteristic and eye-catching, which is why photographers from the late 19th century often focus on them. Thus, Johannes Selvaag stands in a unique tradition with his photo project of the food clocks in Sør-Fron. The food clocks represent craftsmanship and tradition, and in this there is a parallel in photography as a craft that requires time, thought and physical production. The square format also provides a natural opportunity to place the clocks centrally in the motifs, which in the photo series provide a starting point for studying both a difference and a similarity. There are only 12 exposures available per roll of film, which creates a close encounter with each motif.

The exhibition is open from 11th June to 9th August

Sources:
Henning Andersen and kyrkjeklokker.no
Sør-Fron church, Sør-Fron parish council 1992
Fronsbydin, Ivar Kleiven 1930
Registration of matklokker by Fron history association from the 1990s