The Twist gallery is uniquely constructed to bridge the river, effectively serving as an inhabitable sculpture that twists 90 degrees at its midpoint.
The museum site was originally a functioning wood pulp mill operating from 1889 to 1955.
Christen Sveaas, a Norwegian businessman, established the museum in 1996 to preserve the industrial heritage of the family-owned factory.
The sculpture park contains permanent outdoor installations, some of which are commissioned specifically for the site's challenging topography.
The mill's original turbine hall still contains vintage machinery preserved in situ.
Kistefos Museum is a cultural destination centered around a restored 19th-century wood pulp mill located on the banks of the Randselva River. Its focal point is The Twist, a 1,000-square-meter building designed by Bjarke Ingels Group that functions as both a bridge and a contemporary art gallery. The surrounding sculpture park features over 50 works by internationally renowned artists such as Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, and Marc Quinn. The industrial complex retains its original machinery and workers' housing, preserved as a living museum of the early Norwegian cellulose industry. Visitors move between the historic factory buildings and the modern, geometric architecture of The Twist. The site integrates the river landscape, with the structure spanning the gorge directly above the waterfall. It currently serves as a major hub for large-scale installation art in Northern Europe.
The perspective from the bridge landing that captures the architectural curve of The Twist against the river gorge.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes as the sculpture park covers a large, varied terrain with gravel paths and inclines.
Bring a waterproof layer, as the mist from the nearby waterfall can create damp conditions on the walking paths.
Check the exhibition rotation before arriving, as the interior gallery space in The Twist changes periodically.
Do not attempt to walk through the entire park in formal dress shoes, as the terrain is uneven and hilly.
Open seasonally from May through October; typically closed during the winter months due to harsh weather conditions.
No food or drink allowed inside the indoor gallery spaces; remain on designated paths within the sculpture park to protect landscape installations.
