In Trondheim, February 2025 marked the opening of one of Scandinavia’s most intriguing new cultural spaces: PoMo, the city’s modern and contemporary art museum. Its name is an acronym for Post Office Modern, a direct tribute to the building that houses it—the former main post office, an elegant Art Nouveau structure dating back to 1911. At first glance, with its dark brick façade and pistachio-green plaster, PoMo feels like it has stepped out of a carefully composed film set. Crowning the entrance is a rainbow emblazoned with the words “Our Magic Hour”, a playful, almost cinematic invitation that draws visitors inside. PoMo was conceived and fully funded by collectors Monica and Ole Robert Reitan, with a clear and ambitious goal: to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. That philosophy is evident not only in the exhibitions, but in the building itself. The transformation of the historic post office was entrusted to architect Erik Langdalen, working in close collaboration with celebrated designer India Mahdavi. Together, they reimagined the space as a vibrant, welcoming environment where architecture becomes part of the artistic experience. Spread across five floors, PoMo unfolds in a sequence of boldly colored interiors, each designed to guide visitors intuitively through temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Rather than imposing silence or reverence, the museum encourages curiosity, movement, and emotional engagement—an approach that feels refreshingly contemporary in itself. The 2026 exhibition program opens with a major highlight: ‘Echo of the Morning’, a show dedicated to Louise Bourgeois, running from 5 February to 31 March. The exhibition sets an ambitious tone for the year ahead, positioning PoMo not just as a regional museum, but as a significant new voice in the Nordic contemporary art scene. With its blend of historical architecture, bold design, and an inclusive vision of art, PoMo is quickly becoming one of Trondheim’s most compelling cultural destinations—proof that sometimes, the magic really does begin at the front door.
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