Welcome to my digital world, where technology, culture, and creativity intersect. I’m Kjartan Abel, a New Media Artist, Accessibility Advocate, and Digital Consultant working at the intersection of artistic experimentation, digital infrastructure, and inclusive storytelling.
Profile
I’m a tech-savvy, content-driven web developer with over 20 years of experience in the cultural sector and digital media. I specialize in accessible, user-friendly web solutions that combine design, structure, and storytelling. Whether building websites, developing AI tools for image metadata, producing Creative Commons music, or creating podcast and streaming solutions, I bring both creativity and precision to the table.
With a background in contemporary art, audio production, and digital systems, I’m passionate about making culture and creativity accessible to everyone — and about bridging the gap between technology and human experience through sound, storytelling, and design.
Projects & Creative Work
Music & Creative Philosophy
Music has always been a way for me to connect with people, tell stories, and express emotions. Over the years, I’ve realized that creativity thrives when it’s shared openly, not hoarded behind paywalls or exclusive rights. That’s why I’ve made the decision to give away my music for free, under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license.
Empowering Collaboration and Creativity
The CC BY-SA license isn’t just about free access—it’s about empowering others to build on my work, remix it, and make it their own. This license aligns with my belief that art should be a conversation, not a monologue. By allowing others to adapt and share my music, I hope to contribute to a cycle of creativity that grows larger than any one individual.
Fairness in Sharing
CC BY-SA is, in my view, the fairest way to share music. It ensures that anyone who uses my music gives proper credit to its origin, while also requiring them to share their own adaptations under the same open terms. This creates a level playing field where creative freedom is balanced with responsibility.
For Creators, By Creators
As someone passionate about supporting others—whether artists, filmmakers, podcasters, or hobbyists—I want my music to be a resource, not a barrier. Making it freely available means it can reach projects and people who might otherwise not have the means to access professional-grade music.
A Personal Philosophy
This decision isn’t just about music; it’s about my values as a creative individual. Sharing openly reflects my belief in collaboration, inclusivity, and the idea that creativity knows no bounds. By giving freely, I’m not losing control—I’m gaining the joy of knowing my work can live on in ways I might never have imagined.
So, whether you’re scoring a short film, creating a podcast, or simply enjoying the melodies, I’m honored to share my music with you. Together, let’s create something extraordinary.
Conceptual Art Installations – Works like The Longest Circuit and Waiting Room explore existential themes by blending everyday objects with cutting-edge technology, transforming the mundane into thought-provoking experiences.
Museum Innovation – At Østfoldmuseene, I develop interactive exhibitions and implement advanced digital tools to make cultural history engaging and accessible to all.
Creative Commons Music – Through my compositions, I empower creators worldwide with royalty-free soundscapes for films, videos, and games, ensuring art remains accessible to everyone.
- The Longest Circuit – An installation using mundane objects and circuits to reflect on emotional distance.
- Zero One – An experimental system on surveillance, AI and resistance.
- Creative Commons Music – Royalty-free music library for creators and cultural projects
- Museumspodden.no – Shared podcast platform for the Norwegian museum sector
- AI in Museums – Internal GPT-based tools for metadata enrichment and accessibility
Core Competencies
- Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, eZ Publish, Umbraco)
- CMS management, content structure, and editorial strategy
- Universal design (WCAG 2.1), accessibility and user experience
- Content production (text, photography, video, podcasting, drone footage)
- Music production, sound design, and royalty-free audio for creative use
- AI-supported tools for metadata, forms, and creative workflows
- Digital forms and self-service solutions for the public sector
- SEO, analytics, and social media campaigns
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration, training, and creative consulting
Work Experience
Østfoldmuseene – Web Developer, Digital Editor & Exhibition Advisor
2017 – present
- Lead developer and maintainer of websites, intranet, and self-service tools
- Developed internal AI tools for metadata tagging and digital forms
- Created Museumspodden.no, a shared podcast platform for Norwegian museums
- Project lead for digital solutions in exhibitions and public outreach
- Provides interdisciplinary consulting on structure, language, and accessibility
Herresalongen.no – Webmaster & Co-founder
2002 – 2006
- Relaunched what became Norway’s largest lifestyle portal for men
- Implemented eZ Publish CMS and scaled site to 10,000+ daily users
- Managed a content archive of over 3,000 articles
Bonnier Media – Freelance Photographer
2004 – 2007
- Editorial and commercial photography for Max Power and Woman magazines
- Retouching and pre-press image preparation
FAST Search & Transfer ASA – Webmaster (Project)
2002 – 2003
- Led CMS migration and intranet redesign
- Introduced open-source solutions to reduce licensing costs
- Delivered documentation and training in English
Radio Tango – Multimedia Developer
2000 – 2001
- Developed Flash-based games, web-TV, and digital advertising
- Produced multimedia content for clients including TV2, Egmont, and VG
Nordialog Drøbak – Sales Assistant and Technician
1998 – 1999
- Technical support and configuration of office IT and mobile systems
NRK TV – Sound Assistant
1992 – 1994
- Studio and OB team work on major Norwegian TV productions
Radio Oslofjord – Sound and Broadcast Assistant
1991 – 1992
- Audio production, studio setup, and local radio broadcasting
Education
University College London (UCL), Slade School of Fine Art – MFA in Fine Art Media
2007 – 2009
- Explored interaction, spatiality, and the merging of physical and digital environments
- Hands-on practice with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Processing
- Critical engagement with the role of technology in society and art
- Master’s project explored time and space through installation art
Kingston University – BA(Hons) Fine Art
2005 – 2007
- First Class Honours (A)
- Early work on AI-driven interactions and physical-digital connections
- Focused on digital storytelling, visual communication, and media history
Strykejernet Art School – Foundation in Visual Arts
2003 – 2005
- Colour theory, composition, photography, and darkroom practice
- Introduced to digital tools and cross-media collaboration
NISS (Nordic Institute for Stage and Studio) – Audio Engineering
1995 – 1998
- Training in digital sound design, acoustics, and music production
- Developed skills in both studio work and live recording