The picture “Erna in the pond” is auctioned off during the TV campaign – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio

– This picture was quite stupid then. That’s what Bård Hoksrud, FRP representative from Telemark, says. He talks about the picture from 2016 where he is driving a watercraft – smooth and with glasses on his forehead: The Norwegian Watercraft Association had a celebration in 2016. Storting representative Bård Hoksrud took part there. Photo: Vegard M. Aas / NTB scanpix It was taken by NTB, and has run its course in the media and online – and has become iconic, and is one of many images where politicians pose in unfamiliar settings. But Bård Hoksrud’s image is perhaps not as iconic as Erna Solberg’s. Was sold During this year’s TV promotion, “Erna i tjernet” went for NOK 66,666. – We were standing there with a bit of mud up to our calves and some roots from water lilies, says the main character himself. It was when Solberg was a new party leader in 2005 that she accompanied a photographer up to, and into, a pond. Wearing a blue dress. – When I was going to take that picture, I wanted to make a picture that was a bit dreamlike, mysterious, beautiful, strangely humorous. That’s what the photographer behind it all says, art photographer Marie Sjøvold. Lifeguards kept people away from “Erna in the pond” or “The blue mermaid” was published in the very first VG Helg issue. Only two other physical prints of the image exist. One belongs to Preus’s photo museum, and the other belongs to Erna Solberg herself – hanging in the cellar in Bergen. With the permission of Erna Solberg, Marie Sjøvold and VG, the TV campaign has been allowed to produce one extra copy. It was this that was posted on Finn and auctioned off on Sunday. Solberg agrees that the setting around the picture was a bit special. – It felt strange. We were in this pond, which has a path next to it. People were passing by. I had two bodyguards who made people move on, she says with a laugh. Art photographer Marie Sjøvold wanted to portray Erna Solberg a little out of the ordinary when she took her to the pond. Both the photographer and Solberg were out in the water. Sjøvold had not quite thought that the picture would become as legendary as it has become. – I wanted to present her in a completely different way than we were used to, she says. Nice to show people from another side NTB photographer Heiko Junge has taken pictures of most things. He has followed politicians for many years. Junge believes an iconic image can mean a great deal. – It has an incredible amount to say for politicians how they are portrayed in the media, says Junge. He points out that politicians are often portrayed as dry and grey, and that other types of images can help make them harmless. They get a little closer to the people. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has jumped into a pond naked. He has let photographers take pictures of him at home, and he has offered himself. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) in an interview situation with news’s ​​Joakim Reigstad in 2023. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news Not difficult to get Erna in the pond Erna Solberg has previously been active in swimming. Sjøvold has often been asked if it was difficult to get Solberg into the pond with him. – That was no problem, she was very sporty, says the photographer. – And I was standing there with the dress. Of course it was a bit of a strange experience, says Solberg, who believes it is important not to take oneself too seriously. Besides, she was very pleased with the result. – When someone tells me that they think the picture is nice, I say: “I think so too”, says the leader of the Conservative Party. Getting away with most things Ken Andre Ottesen, the man behind the Instagram account BA-desken, harasses about things that appear in the media. Including politicians. He believes there is a fine line before it tips over. – I’ve seen my fair share of what-on-the-world-are-you-doing pictures with Norwegian politicians. Ken Andre Ottesen complains about things in the media, including politicians. Photo: news He says the balance can be different from politician to politician. – Erna gets away with most things. That’s because she’s genuine. She has stood up for most things. – But if you try to hit too wide, you will meet yourself at the door. Solberg herself says she is not particularly fond of being photographed. – It has been a long time since I thought that I could present myself as something other than who I am. And then I have to have fun with it. Published 21.10.2024, at 11.59 Updated 21.10.2024, at 12.31



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