Visual artist, sculptor and graphic artist Mia Gjerdrum Helgesen has for the past six years had a studio in one of the old hospital buildings at Dikemark in Asker, which she rents from Oslo University Hospital.
On Tuesday night, she was called by Sector Alarm, who said that the fire alarm had been triggered. It turned out that the fire alarm had gone off due to dust smoke, as a result of the roof having collapsed.
– What happened last night was surprising. It was only when I received the first pictures that I realized how bad it was, Helgesen tells Dagbladet.
The case was first mentioned in Budstikka.
During the night, she had good contact with the fire brigade and guards who were on site, and who, among other things, went through the building to check that no people had stayed there.
The youngest victim of the natural disaster: – Was helpless
– Could have lost his life
Helgesen himself had been in the room only hours before the roof went to the ground.
– I could have lost my life yesterday, and it’s hard, today. No one had the preconditions to believe that it would be dangerous to stay in the building, she says.
Helgesen rents a total of around 120 square meters, composed of two rooms. In addition to her, there are about 30 others who use the building.
– It is tragic that you are in a tenancy where the building is more dilapidated than you have anticipated, and that it should go beyond safety. This has tragic consequences for everyone.
LOST ART: Helgesen has worked on an art exhibition that should be ready in August. Now she has most likely lost everything she has worked on in the last six months. Photo: Mona Nordøy
view more
Helgesen does not yet have a complete overview of the material damage, but estimates that art worth between half a million and 700,000 kroner has been lost.
– The roof is sprayed with concrete and very heavy. I would think most of what lies beneath is ruined. Everything around is broken, plus the room is dusted down.
In shock
Helgesen has for six months worked towards an art exhibition that should be ready in August. She has now lost six months of work, as well as working hours, she says. In addition, equipment and tools have been lost.
– It’s very tragic. I’m incredibly late. It was very violent, so I’m still a little shocked. Now I am without a job and no plan to solve it, she says.
RECOMMENDS USE: The landlord on Tuesday apologized for the incident and advises against staying in the building before an investigation has been made. Photo: Private
view more
During the day, the visual artist has been in dialogue with the landlord repeatedly. The landlord has apologized for the incident and updated on what happens next.
– The insurance company will assess the damage, but it will take time. Everyone else also became anxious, so the building will be investigated. The rental manager has now advised against others using the building before this has been done. That is the least they can do, Helgesen concludes.
Nine-year-old killed by tornado
To Avisa Oslo says communications consultant at Oslo Hospital Service, Katrina Chamberlain, that there is damage to the ceiling and fixtures in the room in question.
– We have secured the building and are mapping whether there are similar ceilings in other premises that are rented out on Dikemark, she writes in an e-mail to the newspaper.
–
