On a dark and wet evening, the street artist “Dr. AW” on a concrete wall at Danmarksplass in Bergen. With spray cans, measurement and several layers of stencils, a picture is created. An image that has proven to be provocative. Because it is not the first time he has seen the image of two policemen kissing each other. Destroyed with solvent The first time was before Pride last summer, but after a few days the image was destroyed with powerful solvent. – I think that some people find it uncomfortable that traditionally masculine roles such as the police are mixed with something that is perceived as more feminine or queer, says “dr. AW”, whose real name is Aron Wells and is actually a doctor. – 50 years after homosexuality was decriminalized, there are still negative attitudes. It shows both the destruction of the police photo and what happened outside the London Pub in Oslo last year. “Dr. AW”‘s name is actually Aron Wells and he works as a doctor. Here is the police station in Fyllingsdalen, where he wanted to set up the artwork. Photo: Jan Børge Leirvik / news Wanted to put the picture up at the police In his art, Aron is preoccupied with diversity and love in various forms. And for him, it is important that society clearly shows that queers are now accepted. Thus came the idea of putting up the picture of the kissing policemen at the police itself. Under a rainbow-coloured umbrella, he stands outside the entrance to the Fyllingsdalen police station, where all Bergen officers who must have a passport must go. – Inside the door here, I thought the picture could be sprayed on the wall. It could be a strong signal about what the police are up to, says Aron. So he contacted the police and offered them the picture, both to put on a wall and to use in material for attitude-building work. Aron Wells has now set up the artwork at the light rail stop at Danmarksplass in Bergen instead. Photo: Jan Børge Leirvik / news The police master: – Important motive And the police were not directly dismissive, even though street artists often operate a little on the edge of the law. But after many weeks of discussions and assessment, the final answer came: No thanks! – This is an important motif, it is an important message, and we would like to make use of this kind of art at the police station, says police chief Kaare Songstad in Police District West. – But due to rules about gifts to the police, neutrality and trust that we follow the rules, I have to say no this time. – Neutrality? – Neutrality in the sense that we must treat everyone equally, there must be trust in how the police handle this type of offer. For Aron, the rejection did not come as a direct surprise, but he admits that it was a bit sad: – I think perhaps the police are not quite mature enough to show what attitudes belong in 2023. Police chief Kaare Songstad in the West police district says the photo can be reassessed when the new police house in Bergen is finished and will be decorated. Photo: Jan Børge Leirvik / news Lack of trust from queers In a survey conducted by the Norwegian Police Directorate last year, it emerged that one in three queers have lower trust in the police than others. Street artist Aron had hoped that his picture with the police could also send a signal to queers and contribute to raising confidence. – I’m a little disappointed. I hope that one day we will get to the point where trust in the police is the same, regardless of orientation, gender or wherever it may be. But I have a way to go. The police chief also believes that trust among queers is an important point. – I think the picture could have had such an effect. Therefore, I have spent quite a lot of time assessing whether we could actually accept this picture, says Songstad. Opens for new assessment But the police chief does not want to close the door completely. – When we are going to build a new police station in Bergen, and start decorating there, then we will reassess the image. But when the new police station will be built, no one knows for now.
ttn-69
The police say no to street art of kissing policemen – news Vestland
