Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Norway Oslo 'She Lies'

'She Lies'

This floating sculpture of ice is a poignant reminder of nature's power.

Oslo, Norway

Added By
Denver Applehans
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
“She Lies.”   Der Robert/cc by 2.0
  abogadapascualaguilar / Atlas Obscura User
  Gogostevie / Atlas Obscura User
  Gogostevie / Atlas Obscura User
“She Lies” as seen from the Oslo Opera House Roof.   DenverApplehans / Atlas Obscura User
“She Lies” in the water in front of the Oslo Opera House.   DenverApplehans / Atlas Obscura User
  abogadapascualaguilar / Atlas Obscura User
  Illeatabooger / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The power of Mother Nature over human endeavors is on display in Oslo Harbour just off the shore of the Oslo Opera House. This striking sculpture evokes the power of ice and water ever-present in the high north.

The floating stainless steel and glass sculpture named She Lies was designed and created by Italian artist Monica Bonvicini. It is based on Caspar David Friedrich’s painting Das Eismeer (The Sea of Ice).

The artwork floats on a concrete platform tethered to the harbor floor, allowing it to turn and change based on the tides and currents. Its subtle movements are a reminder of nature’s constant change. According Public Art Norway (KORO), which supported the installation, the name She Lies adds intentional ambiguity that encourages further reflection.

The sculpture is permanently installed in Oslo’s Bjørvika harbor area near the Oslo Opera House.

Related Tags

Sculptures Public Art Art

Know Before You Go

It's best viewed from the roof of the Oslo Opera House.

Community Contributors

Added By

DenverApplehans

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe, tjw2121, Illeatabooger, amcagg...

  • Kerry Wolfe
  • tjw2121
  • Illeatabooger
  • amcagg
  • Gogostevie
  • abogadapascualaguilar
  • mstein3005

Published

November 30, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.newsinenglish.no/2010/05/11/new-sculpture-berths-off-opera-house/
  • https://www.art-agenda.com/shows/monica-bonvicini-she-lies-in-oslo/
  • https://koro.no/kunstverk/she-lies/
'She Lies'
Inner Oslofjord
Oslo
Norway
59.906455, 10.750851
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Oslo Opera House

Oslo, Norway

miles away

The Mini Bottle Gallery

Oslo, Norway

miles away

'Glory Glory with Crutches'

Oslo, Norway

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oslo

Oslo

Norway

Places 24
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Oslo Opera House

Oslo, Norway

miles away

The Mini Bottle Gallery

Oslo, Norway

miles away

'Glory Glory with Crutches'

Oslo, Norway

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oslo

Oslo

Norway

Places 24
Stories 3

Related Places

  • Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • ‘Oscar the Bird King’ is one of sculptor Thomas Dambo’s ever-growing army of trolls.

    Vashon, Washington

    Oscar the Bird King

    Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture wears a crown with birdhouses on his head.

  • The rear panel on Çanakçı Heykeli featuring a woman on a donkey.

    Avanos, Turkey

    Çanakçı Heykeli

    This giant work of Cappadocian pottery includes a memorial for the artisan who created it.

  • ‘Square the Block’ at first glance resembles an architectural oddity.

    London, England

    Square the Block

    A jumble of concrete on the corner of one of London’s terraced buildings is actually a work of art.

  • This ‘Traveler’ is not all he appears to be.

    Orlando, Florida

    'The Traveler'

    If you don't look closely, you might mistake this sculpture for just another passenger waiting at the airport.

  • The Pointer

    Corona, New Mexico

    'Cowboy Ruckus'

    Catch two 18-foot-tall ranchers mid-brawl as you drive by on Highway 285.

  • Bainbridge Island, Washington

    Pia the Peacekeeper

    This 18-foot-tall public art installation is another of sculptor Thomas Dambo's trolls.

  • Blue Sky Sculpture

    Newton, Kansas

    'Blue Sky Sculpture'

    This vivid painted ceramic sculpture evokes the expansiveness of the prairie sky.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.