The sun mirror Village

  • Dates
    2015 - 2017
  • Author
  • Topics Daily Life, Fine Art
  • Location Norway, Norway

Located in a narrow valley, during the cold winter months, Rjukan lies in shade, as the sun, covered by a 1800 meters high peak, can’t illuminate the village. For this reason, the community built on the top of the mountain three huge mirrors, to reflect the sunlight on the townsquare.

The Sun mirror village

Located in a narrow valley three hours north-west from Oslo, Rjukan counts 3400 inhabitants, who during the cold winter months from September to March, live completely in the shade, as the sun, covered by a 1800 meters high peak, called Gaustatoppen, can’t illuminate the village.

For this reason Martin Andersen, a 40 year old artist, brushing up on an idea of the founder Sam Eyde, considered unworkable at the time due to a lack of technology, sub- mits to the community the intention to put on the top of the mountain three huge solar- powered mirrors, able to reflect the sun light on the town square. The project, called SOLISPEIL, became true in 2013, for the price of 5 millions Crowns.

The town of Rjukan was founded by Sam Eyde between 1905 and 1916, when the com- pany Norsk Hydro decided to start the production of Saltpetre.

The mirrors are located 450 meters above the town, and they reflect a 2000 square-feet circle of light. A solar-powered engine installed behind each mirror follows the sun move- ments during the day to maximize the effect.

Sam Eyde, during the first decade of the last Century, unable to realize something similar, decided to bypass the problem of direct sunlight absence, which also caused depressive disorders and vitamin D deficiency, building a cable car that carried workers and miners on the top of the mountain, so that they could receive the winter sunlight.

Some inhabitants decided to mark on a small notebook the days in which sun reaches the village during winter.

In April, Rjukan celebrate the SOLFEST, the return of sun from behind the mountain, with a costume parade. Often, these dresses are related to the sun or to its absence.

During the parade, the Lord of Sun is elected by the community, he remains in office for one year and keeps the title for life. The Sunborn Child is also elected, a child born near the day in which sun crosses for the first time the mountain edge and shines again on the town.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. The town of Rjukan, 3400 inhabitants, was founded between 1905 and 1916 and is located in a narrow valley 3 hours north-west from Oslo. During the winter months, from September to March, the village is completely in the shade, as the sun, covered by the 1800 meters high peak Gaustatoppen, can't illuminate it. In 2013, a local artist named Martin Andersen, submitted to the community the intention to put on the top of the mountain three huge solar-powered mirrors able to reflect the sun light on the town square.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. Lena Benita Dokka, wife of Martin Andersen, born and raised in Rjukan.She owns a second-hand shop near the town square.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2015.As the village isn't reached by the sun during winter, temperatures are particulary low.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015.As the village isn't reached by the sun during winter, temperatures are particulary low.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2015. A painting illustrating the Gaustatoppen, the mountain responsible for sun absence in the village.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015. A painting illustrating the Gaustatoppen, the mountain responsible for sun absence in the village.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2017. The 1800m high peak Gaustatoppen, responsible for sun absence in the village.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. The 1800m high peak Gaustatoppen, responsible for sun absence in the village.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015. The thermal pool Rjukan Badet, situated in the centre of the village, where local people go to relax and meet each other.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2017. A detail of a house in the village, during the cold month of October.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. A detail of a house in the village, during the cold month of October.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015. In April, Rjukan celebrate the Solfest, the return of sun from behind the mountain, with a costume parade. During the parade, the Lord of Sun is elected by the community, he remains in office for one year and keeps the title for life.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015. The Måna river which flows in the middle of the town. On its shores was built the Norsk Hydro Hydroelectric plant, the reason why the village of Rjukan was born in 1905.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. Martin Andersen, 40, brushing up on an idea of the founder Sam Eyde, considered unworkable at the time due to a lack of technology, submits to the community the intention to put on the top of the mountain three huge solar-powered mirrors, able to reflect the sun light on the town square. The project, called SOLISPEIL, became true in 2013, for the price of 5 millions Crowns.

© Federico Borella - Image from the The sun mirror Village photography project
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2015. Some inhabitants decided to mark on a small notebook the days in which the sun reaches the village during winter.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2017. Gro Rainman, hotel manager, inside the hotel that once was the house of Sam Eyde, Rjukan's founder.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. Gro Rainman, hotel manager, inside the hotel that once was the house of Sam Eyde, Rjukan's founder.

© Federico Borella - Rjukan, Norway, 2017. The effect of the sun mirrors in the main square.
i

Rjukan, Norway, 2017. The effect of the sun mirrors in the main square.

Latest Projects

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.