Frantzsen&Mjanger was established in January 2017 and consists of Maria Almås Frantzsen, visual art with a focus on glass and Ruth Hol Mjanger, drama / theater.
The artist duo challenges the traditional studio oriented approach to craft in meetings between glass and performative contemporary art in outdoor spaces. The duo works process-oriented and involves the audience in co-creation of the artworks.
They were awarded The Norwegian Craft Prize 2019 from The Relief Fund for Visual Artists (BKH) for the piece “Holding breath” as the most striking work at the Annual Craft Exhibition.
Frantzsen received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in art with specialization in glass from Edinburgh College of Art. Her work develops around human encounters as well as emotional and physical experiences and is presented in the permanent collection of KODE in Bergen and Sogn og Fjordane Art Museum. She was a team member of S12 Studio and Gallery in Bergen for 11 years, running their educational program, but is now focusing on her own career full time.
Mjanger holds a master in drama from Bergen University College. In 2015, she qualified as an associate professor at NLA University College focusing at the three-folded competence of being an artist, teacher and researcher. Thematically there is considerable variation in Mjanger’s work. Through art-based research and as a reflective practitioner, she investigate new approaches and methods in the borderline between art and applied science. Her artistic work is interdisciplinary and explores the connections between body, space, identity and existential questions.
