An art expression may become flat and unviable if the work becomes too obviously dogmatic and doctrinaire. Many of KKV’s projects have had an expressed purpose, often stated in press releases and interviews. Perhaps too many. But perhaps many of them have managed to transcend the simple stated purpose accidentally expressed to the media. Whatever the case, we feel we have been at our best when texts and music, words and pictures have helped the audience and listeners to think and feel in new ways and to draw conclusions: This can happen when we share the unrest that comes from the deep wordless secrets on the inside of the sender’s heart.
"På gyllen grunn" (On Golden Ground). Anita Skorgan sings lyrics about eroticism, birth and death written by Erik Hillestad, who was inspired by Emanuel Vigeland's work of art "Vita" from his mausoleum in Oslo, where the album was also recorded with Arve Henriksen, Eivind Aarset, Rolf Lislevand and Helge Norbakken. 2011
An art policy campaign under the feeling of impotence and united in solidarity. Recorded with Palestinian singers in a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem under threat of being evacuated. A cry protesting Israel's slow, inch by inch occupation of Palestinian life and property. 2010
"Undr" (Wonder). Synnøve Rognlien's mystery-filled lyrics on a techno and trance backdrop by Øyvind Christiansen. 2008
"Ansikter" (Faces). Inger Lise Rypdal sings lyrics by Erik Hillestad, where Biblical characters are superimposed on our own lives and contexts. 2007
"Guds ansikter" (God's Faces) – a new exhibition with installation art pointing out how a context (the inside of a church) can impact art. 2007
An installation art exhibit suggesting what we actually collectively adore in today's Norway: Stars and demigods from the heaven of Hollywood, with an altarpiece displaying a crucified Elvis Presley. 2005
"Min Gud, min Gud" (My God, My God) – an exhibition where video art and exhibits are used as valid means of expression in a church. Highly provocative and gripping. 2004
"11 ubesvarte anrop" (11 unanswered calls). Kari Bremnes with stanzas like open wounds, written and performed under the shadow of 9/11 and events in the micro and macro cosmos. 2001
"Det begynner å likne et liv" (It is starting to resemble a life). Ole Paus meets the Danish hymn author H. A. Brorson, writing and performing songs about death. Oslo Chamber Choir and jazz musicians. 1998
"Gåte ved gåte" (Puzzle upon Riddle). Kari Bremnes' songs in full flourish. Successful album with many small secrets and riddles. 1994
"Cohen på norsk" (Cohen in Norwegian). Leonard Cohen's ambiguous texts from the border country of soul and body, with six female artists and the band CC Cowboys, translations by Håvard Rem 1993.
"Poetenes evangelium" (The poets' gospel) with Morten Harket, poems about the characters and paradoxes of the Bible by Jens Bjørnebo, Erik Fosnes Hansen, Håvard Rem, Kai Skagen, Georg Johannessen and others. 1993
"Den fattige Gud" (The Poor God), hymns by Edvard Hoem set to melodies by Henning Sommerro, recorded in Moscow during the days of unrest when the Parliament was shot at and the city was under martial law in 1992. Featuring Hildegunn Rise and Voskresnje, a Russian church choir.
"Bedre enn stillhet" (Better than silence), Sigvart Dagsland's musical comments on such thoughts the dualism of happiness ("Sangen om gleden") (Song of Happiness), and developments in the new Europe ("Festung Europa"). 1992
"I min fars hus er det mange rom og de fleste av dem er i kjelleren" (In my father's house there are many rooms and most of them are in the cellar), a new encounter with the art of Alf Prøysen. The unknown Prøysen, far removed from cosiness and snug family togetherness. Featuring Jørn Simen Øverli, 1991.
"Messe for en såret jord" (Mass for a wounded earth) by Ketil Bjørnstad and Erik Hillestad with Oslo Chamber Choir and Randi Stene. A painful recognition of man's ambiguous relationship to earth, our mother, a drama of the blue jewel of the universe and its inhabitants, written with the elements of Christian mass as the warp of the woven text. 1991
"Levende bandasjer" (Living bandages) with Jørn Simen Øverli. Lyrics and melodies by Russian guitar poet Vlamidir Vysotskij. Opens for some glimpses into the soul of the Russian people which will both surprise and confuse.1989
"Mitt ville hjerte" (My wild heart). Kari Bremnes' debut album with texts by Danish writer Tove Ditlevsen. Ground-breaking when it comes to the tonal language and expression of an album of folk songs, and through the texts that delve deep into the vulnerability of love and the life force of a female mind. From 1987.
"På leit" (Searching). Bjørn Eidsvåg's rebellion against the clear and unambiguous answers in the church and society. 1984
"Passe gal" (Right crazy), Bjørn Eidsvåg's infamous album with "Eg ser" (I see), "Passe gal" (Right crazy), "Klovnar" (Clowns) and many others of his most well-known songs from the 1980s. An unsettling encounter between theology and psychiatry. 1983
"Noen må våke" (Someone must stay the watch). Svein Ellingsen's intense feeling of life in hymns, for example "Noen må våke i verdens natt" (Someone must watch during the night of the world), performed by Nordstrand Kirkekor in 1978
"Jeremias' klagesanger" (Jeremiah's lamentations). The cries of the prophet over the misfortunes of Israel, a cry that echoes throughout history, reflected by dark timbres. By Kjell Mørk Karlsen, performed in 1976.