Geunhee Lee

Gentrification in Stavanger: Perspectives and Narratives

In collaboration with Listen to the City, I exhibited a multi-faceted exploration of gentrification in the Stavanger region of Norway at Rogaland Kunstsenter. The exhibition focused on examining the socio-economic changes reshaping the area, delving into the impacts on local communities, urban development, and cultural displacement.

Through a series of installations, films, and interactive media, the exhibition invited viewers to critically engage with the transformation of Stavanger. Each piece highlighted different narratives – from the voices of long-time residents facing displacement to the vision of developers pushing for modernization.

A key element of the exhibition was its immersive storytelling, using in-depth interviews and archival footage to juxtapose the old and new Stavanger. By blending artistic interpretation with factual representation, the project sought to create a dialogue around the sustainability and ethics of urban renewal.

This work represents a culmination of months of research and fieldwork, reflecting on the delicate balance between progress and preservation in contemporary cities.

My Contributions

Pedersgata Gentrification Facade

This series of two 8-meter-long graphic installations examines the profound changes that occurred along a single street over the course of a decade, focusing on the effects of gentrification. The orange line running horizontally across the graphics represents Pedersgata, serving as a central axis that divides the visual elements.

In the top section, the graphics showcase the same building photographed in 2014 and 2024, highlighting the stark contrast between the two time periods. The changes in architecture, design, and usage reflect the broader forces of urban development reshaping the area.

The left and right sections represent the northern and southern views from this street, providing a comprehensive visual perspective on how both sides of the neighborhood have evolved. These contrasting images, which reveal the shift from a culturally rich community to a more commercialized environment, invite viewers to reflect on the social and aesthetic impact of these changes.

These large-scale works offer an immersive and detailed exploration of gentrification, encouraging a deeper understanding of the intersection between time, space, and urban change.

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Properties owned by PU

This graphic work visualizes the transformation of Pedersgata under the influence of aggressive property development. The red line running across the center represents the street, while the black circle enveloping it symbolizes the overwhelming expansion of gentrification, giving the impression that the street is being consumed by the forces of urban change.

The design incorporates an "X-ray" effect, allowing viewers to peer beneath the surface of the city, revealing the properties owned by a single real estate company. This layered visual approach emphasizes both the transparency and the dominance of corporate control over the urban landscape. The stark contrast between the dark circle and the surrounding map accentuates the feeling of encroachment, as the area’s original identity is gradually subsumed.

The intent of this piece is to provoke reflection on the far-reaching consequences of gentrification, and how the physical and cultural landscape of a city can be altered by a single powerful entity.

Magazine Infographics