MOVEMENTS
IN TIME
6
Since the decision to demolish the Y-block was taken in 2014, the battle to save its collective memory raged on as the government stood firmly by its decision. It led to protests, marches, homage exhibitions, and debate panels as the terrorist bombing in Oslo on 22 July 2011 "became the catalyst for the politicians wanting to demolish the Y-block, despite its obvious conservation values," (Save Oslo's Y-block with murals by Picasso 2019). The attack occurred just one month after the Norwegian National Trust included the Highrise and Y-block in 'Landsvernplanen'; a list of the state's most significant cultural monuments and properties. These structures were cited in the report as the first examples of modernism in Norway, as well as some of the most iconic buildings in the democratic-socialist era after World War II. (Breivik 2020) The protesters further emphasized that demolishing the building would only contribute to what the terrorist could not.
Erling Viksjø, the architect of the former Oslo Government District, was known for his chaotic urban area and desire to clean it up. He demolished the old Empire quarter in the 1950s to create the Høyblokka and the Y-block. Viksjø aimed to separate the neo-Gothic church and neo-classical library with one of the Y's arms, solving the "stylistic chaos" by giving the buildings their own space. (Breivik 2020) The Architecture Uprising, which did not object to Viksjø's legacy being demolition in 2020, can still highlight for their own cause for autonomy that this event displays the minimal influence people have on the built environment.
The fight was therefore about security and the desire for a green and accessible government quarter. An assent so crucial that not even Jackie Kennedy's famous words could be saved. The new government quarter will balance security and a green, accessible environment, as well as the design of the building will include the remnants of Picasso's ornaments, yet aim to become more open, and transparent, and represent the values of the Norwegian government. (Haptic Architects 2022) The high-rise block, which was a stronger example of Viksjø's architecture, according to Stokke, will be fully transformed and retrofitted, as the goal is to achieve a sense of timelessness through durable materials and proportion. Flemming and other architects from the Architecture Uprising oppose a new Oslo project, arguing it resembles a "large wall rising" from Youngstorget. They suggest a more comprehensive dialogue considering public aesthetic needs and opinions to ensure Oslo's future is well-planned. As Hardy put it, even "building a wall is a political act," as the representation of buildings will never be fully neutral. Thus, it is even more important from the movements' perspective that large projects are decided collectively rather than imposed from above since they will become an integral part of the fabric of the city, and eventually people’s neighbourhood.
