Kistefos is proud to present Blind Boat by American artist Dana Schutz — the artist’s first monumental public sculpture, created specifically for Kistefos.
Blind Boat is the 57th permanent work in the Kistefos sculpture park.
Cast in bronze, the sculpture stands 7 metres tall, stretches 9 metres in length, and weighs more than 12 tonnes. The work depicts a boat carrying three figures surrounded by symbolic elements including a stylised sun, hollowed-out eyeballs, and a carrion bird. One figure is blind, while the others are one-eyed, recalling the Cyclopes of Greek mythology. At the centre, a figure raises an eyeball like a guiding light — evoking themes of vision, uncertainty, and the search for direction.
William Flatmo, Director of the Christen Sveaas Art Foundation and Collection, stated during the unveiling:
“Kistefos is a place where artists are encouraged to dream big — where we cultivate artistic freedom and go the extra mile to create something truly magical.”
Known for her expressive paintings and sculptures, Schutz creates works that are both absurd and unsettling, often using satire and allegory to reflect on the anxieties and contradictions of contemporary life. In Blind Boat, themes of power, vulnerability, and collective uncertainty emerge through a composition that feels both turbulent and alive.
Installed beside the river and waterfall at Kistefos, the sculpture enters into dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The movement and sound of the water heighten the work’s sense of instability, motion, and emotional intensity.
Schutz is regarded as one of the most important artists of her generation, with works held in the collections of institutions including The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Blind Boat is now on view at Kistefos.
Photo: Einar Aslaksen
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