At first glance, it looks like an ordinary stone plaza. But look closer and you'll discover tens of thousands of tiny green people holding it up.
Grass Roots Square is one of Oslo's most unusual works of public art.
Recently returned to the rebuilt government quarter, the installation by Korean artist Do Ho Suh is both an eye-catching curiosity and a powerful symbol of Norwegian democracy.
Although thousands of people walk across the square every day, many don't notice what's beneath their feet until they stop for a closer look.
Why are there 50,000 tiny people?
The artwork consists of around 50,000 miniature bronze figures, each finished with a distinctive green patina. Together, they appear to emerge from the ground while supporting the granite paving slabs above.
The illusion is deliberate. Rather than simply decorating a public space, the installation conveys a message: government rests on the support of ordinary people.
The title, Grass Roots Square, refers to the grassroots of society, the citizens whose everyday lives and contributions form the foundation of democracy. In that sense, the tiny figures represent the people politicians are ultimately there to serve.
Like much of Do Ho Suh's work, the sculpture encourages people to think about the relationship between individuals and the larger communities and institutions they belong to.
From a distance, the square appears solid and permanent. Up close, it reveals thousands of individuals, each playing a small part in supporting the whole.
A new chapter for the sculpture
Grass Roots Square was originally installed in 2002 as part of the Norwegian government's programme to integrate contemporary art into the government quarter.
Following the terrorist attack on 22 July 2011, the government quarter underwent years of planning and reconstruction. As work began on the extensive redevelopment, the sculpture was carefully removed and placed into storage to protect it.
With the reopening of much of the government quarter, the installation has now returned to a prominent location at the heart of the district.
While the surrounding buildings have changed dramatically, the artwork's message feels just as relevant as it did more than two decades ago.
Visiting Grass Roots Square
The sculpture is freely accessible as part of Oslo's new government quarter, just a short walk from Karl Johans gate and Oslo Central Station.
Unlike many public artworks, Grass Roots Square rewards patience rather than distance. It's only when you slow down and look closely that the thousands of tiny figures become visible.
It's an easy stop to include while exploring central Oslo, and a reminder that some of the city's most memorable sights aren't towering landmarks, but the small details hidden in plain sight.
