Welcome to my digital domain, where technology, culture, and creativity intersect. I’m Kjartan Abel, a New Media Artist, Digital Transformation Consultant, and passionate advocate for accessible, inclusive creativity. My journey bridges the worlds of fine art, cultural heritage, and digital innovation, weaving together a career that’s as diverse as it is impactful.
Experience: A Life of Creative and Professional Exploration
From creating conceptual art installations to leading digital transformation in Norway’s museum sector, my career has been a continuous exploration of the spaces where art, technology, and philosophy meet. Whether as a sound engineer in broadcast media or a curator of interactive art, I’ve always sought to push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking.
Some highlights of my career include:
- 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.
Expertise: Bridging Technology, Art, and Culture
With over 25 years of experience spanning art, digital consulting, and technology, I bring a unique transdisciplinary approach to everything I do. My expertise includes:
- Artistic Practice: MFA in Fine Art New Media from Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.
- Technology Integration: Consultant roles with Østfoldmuseene and Public Art Norway (KORO), specializing in collection management systems and digital infrastructure.
- Audio and Visual Storytelling: From radio sound engineering at NRK to creating dystopian audio-visual works inspired by Bosch, I’ve mastered the fusion of sound, image, and narrative.
- Interactive Media: Designing games, web projects, and installations that provoke thought and invite participation, such as Zero One, an ecosystem exploring surveillance and freedom.
Authoritativeness: Recognized Leader in Art and Innovation
My work has been exhibited in prestigious venues across Europe, including the Hayward Gallery in London, the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, and UCL’s Woburn Square Studios. Additionally, I’ve been a speaker at institutions like the Slade School of Fine Art, where I’ve led workshops on interactive art and content management systems.
Awards such as the Julian Sullivan Award and scholarships from Strykejernet Art School highlight my commitment to excellence and innovation.
Trustworthiness: Building a Legacy of Authentic Creativity
Throughout my career, I’ve prioritized transparency and collaboration. My music library on kjartan-abel.com provides royalty-free soundscapes under Creative Commons licenses, fostering a spirit of openness and accessibility in the creative community. My professional work at Østfoldmuseene champions GDPR compliance and inclusive access to cultural heritage, ensuring my contributions benefit as many people as possible.
Explore My World
- Music: Dive into my collection of evocative, royalty-free soundscapes—perfect for creative projects.
- AI and Technology: Learn how I’m leveraging AI for innovative storytelling and creative workflows.
- Interactive Art: Experience installations that invite you to rethink the boundaries between humanity and technology.
Join me in exploring the rich tapestry of ideas and projects that define my work. Let’s create, collaborate, and innovate together!
Work experience
2016 – d.d. Østfoldmuseene
Digital Transformation Consultant, Editor and Exhibition Consultant.
2010 – 2016 Public Art Norway (KORO)
Digital Consultant and Superadmin for Primus (a collection management tool for museums).
2004 – 2007 Freelance photographer
Photographer for Bonnier Media magazine Max Power and Woman.
2002 – d.d. Idéfarmen
Mid-stack WordPress, HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL freelancer.
2002 – 2006 Herresalongen.no
Webmaster for online Lifestyle magazine.
2002 – 2003 FAST Search & Transfer ASA
Webmaster.
2000 – 2001 Radio Tango
Multimedia developer.
1998 – 1999 Nordialog
Sales assistant and technician.
1992 – 1994 NRK-TV
Sound assistant.
1991 – 1992 Radio Oslofjord
Sound assistant.
Education
2007 – 2009 Slade School of Fine Art, University College London
MFA in Fine Art New Media.
2005 – 2007 Kingston University, BA(Hons) Fine Art
First Class (A) Hons.
2003 – 2005 Strykejernet Art school
Audio engineering and music theory course.
1995 – 1997 Norsk Lydskole
Two year Foundation course.
Exhibitions
2009 Graduate Degree show
Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK
2009 Research Images As Art 2009
UCL(University College London), London, UK
2009 Nothing but the voice
Woburn Square Studios, London, UK
2008 Notation
Woburn Square Studios, London, UK
2008 The Body Project
Woburn Square Studios, London, UK
2008 Curated the exhibition “Demoscene”
Galleri brenneriet, Oslo, Norway
2008 COSM, UCL Observatory
University College London, London, UK
2008 Kunstvlaai A.P.I,
Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2008 Norskart
Menier Chocolate Factory, London, UK
2007 Existential Computing
Hayward Gallery, London, UK
2007 LollipopManBlues
Nolias gallery, London, UK
2005 Homeless
Waterloo Underpass, London, UK
2005 Utdanningsmessen
Norges Varemesse, Lillestrøm, Norway
2004 Group Show
Smuget, Oslo, Norway
Lectures/Talks
2009 Introduction to Content Management Systems
The Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK
2008 Introduction to Demoscene
Galleri Brenneriet, Oslo, Norway
2008 Interactive Art
Galleri Brenneriet, Oslo, Norway
2008 Workshop on Interactive Art
Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK
Awards
2009 The Julian Sullivan Award
2005 Strykejernet Kunstskole Scholarship
Residencies
2009 Utopia project, ASFA in Rethymnon, Crete
2008 Residency through the LITTORAL trust at Kurt Schwitters Merzbau site, Cylinders Merzbau, Ambleside, UK
Publications
2009 Landing Space