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The War Room (2018)
Performance installation The War Room is a fictitious play space for the capitalist profit driven Thorn Group whose main pre-occupation is to dominate the Grønland area of Oslo though aggressive gentrification. The installation shows hints of planned strategies to change the local area through development of leisure business, replacing the current local independent character of Grønland. Working in partnership with leading international coffee shop chains the Thorn Groups War Room is built around a strategy table in the heart of the room, where a high stakes casino game takes place. The casino game hints towards current gentrification strategies in the area with initiatives such as Olav Thons militarisation of security and Starbucks new presence causing a ripple effect of closing down smaller businesses. The Thorn Group gambles casually on property occupation, slowly changing the face of the area. Performed by: Per Magnus Barlaug, Sophie Charlotte Barth, Silje Johannessen Photographs: Istvan Virag |