Blaafarveværket, Art museum and electric vehicle charging station in Modum, Norway.
Blaafarveværket is a museum complex in rural Modum that combines preserved mining operations with contemporary art spaces across multiple buildings and grounds. The site includes former industrial infrastructure alongside modern galleries and outdoor areas.
The site began operations around 1776 and grew to supply a significant portion of the world's material for blue pigment production until operations ceased in 1898. The industrial infrastructure documents how extraction and processing supported global manufacturing.
The site tells the story of how a single mineral transformed global industries and continues to inspire artists today. Visitors encounter this connection through exhibits that show the link between industrial material and creative expression.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring a layer of clothing since the tunnels stay cool year-round and have limited natural light. The site offers guided visits through the mining areas and includes several places to eat and rest.
The tunnel walls still display a blue tint from cobalt oxide residue that reveals decades of intensive mining activity. This coloring serves as a physical record of the work that happened deep underground.
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