A cosmic universe in the school’s new language wing
When Viborg Gymnasium & HF built a new language wing, the school wanted to give its eight-metre-high end wall a distinctive artistic presence. Norwegian artist Marius Martinussen was invited to develop a site-specific proposal for the large wall. The result was a monumental mural that brings colour, movement and visual depth to the architecture.
From sketch to cosmic imagery
Drawing on the artist’s sketches and digital visualisations, the school chose a composition inspired by the universe. Fields of colour, circles, luminous points and dynamic movement combine to create an abstract, cosmic vision.
The imagery evokes planets, orbits and phenomena in motion, while remaining open to interpretation. It allows for different experiences and perspectives – fitting for a learning environment in which curiosity and new insights are central.
Art and architecture in dialogue
The mural was developed specifically for the building’s eight-metre-high end wall. Its monumental scale makes full use of the space’s height, allowing the work to be seen from several levels and angles.
Marius Martinussen is known for his richly coloured abstract compositions, in which geometric shapes, precise transitions and a sense of space and movement play a central role. At Viborg Gymnasium & HF, the wall becomes an active part of the work, which changes character depending on the viewer’s position.
Painted directly onto the wall
The height of the wall and its location alongside a staircase presented particular practical challenges. Before work could begin, the floors and stairs were carefully covered, and a lift was brought in to provide access to the full height of the eight-metre wall.
The mural was painted directly onto the wall using an airbrush and silicate paint. This technique made it possible to achieve the precise shapes, smooth colour transitions and spatial effects that define the work.
Today, the mural is an integral part of the language wing’s architecture and the surroundings that students and staff move through every day.
