individual project research and realisation, curatorial practice research in collaboration with Marcus Appelberg (www.mappelberg.com)
Gothenburg, SE, April 2025
fourth week
This week was filled with engaging encounters and interactions with people from the cultural sector in Gothenburg.
Anna Liljedal (annalijljedal.se), a paper-based artist, shared her insights about her artistic practice and the importance of connection and dialogue. She lives on one of the islands in the Gothenburg archipelago, teaches at the BA Fine Art program at HDK-Valand (gu.se/hdk-valand), and is actively involved with Galleri Box (galleribox.se) . We met at Trädgårdsföreningen, a park founded in the late 19th century and modeled after the Royal Horticultural Society in England. The public’s desire for a change in urban design—one that emphasizes beauty and flora—has made this park a beloved, year-round gathering place for all.
A visit to 3:e Våningen, a platform for experimental performance and the arts, offered insight into the work of choreographer Benedikt Esperi, performed by dancer Ida Kjällquist with music by Jesper Cederholm.
After working in the studio, I took a walk to the Humanistiska Biblioteket, where I discovered intriguing books made by second-year BA Photography students from HDK-Valand. Marcus Appelberg (mappelberg.com) introduced me to the exhibition spaces at Konstepidemin, where we visited the BA Fine Art graduation show, featuring a diverse range of media. From this cultural hub, located on a hill, it’s a short walk to Galleri Box —an artist-run experimental space founded in 1998. Board members include Marcus, Anna, and Maral. Small scale painterly works on board by Susanna Antonsson are on display there at the moment.
The following day, I met with and viewed work by Michaela Peterson (michaelapeterson.se), whose studio at Konstepidemin is currently undergoing major renovation.
Cora Hillebrand (corahillebrand.se) took a moment to share more about her gallery on Fabriksgatan and discussed the broader art scene and climate for artist-run spaces and more commercial locations in Gothenburg.
A visit to the BA Photography graduation show IMAGO at Viktoriagatan 10 concluded this particularly inspiring day. A performance by Folke Högman and Eskil Högman captivated the visitors, Erik Högman also exhibited his photographic works.
The second part of Dusk and Dawn at the operan, choreographed by Christopher Pipe, was stunning—and made even more special thanks to Anton, the orchestra’s first alto violist who managed for us to get reduced tickets which made a difference!
I also had a vivid and inspiring visit with Trinidad Carrillo, (trinidadcarillo.com) a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the realms of dreams and fantasy. She has published three major books of her photographic works and performes on stage mainly using her voice and sound body in collaboration with other (acoustic) artists.
The open studio on the 29th marked the end of this working visit to Gothenburg, filled with wonderful conversations. As the studio had to be left “blank,” I erased the mural on the final day—an act that reflected the projects proposal of a heterotypic concept of the garden in relation to the active condition of Heimat:en. The ephemeral nature of this work once again highlighted the value of exchange and connectivity to me exposing the quiet beauty of timelessness.
third week
Over the past few days, work on the mural in the studio and the concept for the ‘garden’ installation have taken center stage. A printed piece on recycled plastic fibre—ordered in the Netherlands—finally arrived after a prolonged delay.
A visit to Gallery PS in Sockerbruket, which featured handcrafted works by Marie Holmgren and Maria Saveland was followed by the art walk along the Älv River. This route led over the Älvsborg Bridge and past several figurative, mystical sculptures, as well as a grand brick structure by Per Kirkeby alongside other stone-crafted pieces.
At the end of her workday, Maja Sikorska contributed some handmade ‘Trollsdeg’ (salt dough) pieces to the heterotopic garden. While the hands formed spirals and handprints -a gift from such a talented sculptor- we exchanged thoughts on art education and the importance of staying grounded as an artist.
Some gardening at the communal grounds in front of the apartment, together with Malin who had asked for some help, transitioned into the Easter weekend. Most of that time was spent in the studio, with a hike in drizzly weather to Lake Kåsjon a stunning natural habitat. enjoyed an excellent espresso offered by Rijon, a bartender at a small bistro in the middle of nowhere.
the reading of a paper on Persian gardens, written by Leila Mahmoudi Farahan, Bahareh Motamed, and Elmira Jamei—kindly shared by Maral Mavizi a few days ago. The text highlights the importance of enclosure in (oriental) garden design, and discusses the symbolic, historical, and architectural role of these cultivated spaces, particularly in desert regions.
The documentary Valhallabadet, produced by Staffan Bengtsson for Föreningen FASAD (https://foreningenfasad.se/aktiviteter/filmprojekt-dokumentera-valhallabadet/) and shown for free at the Capitol cinema, is a true gem of small-scale filmmaking. This amazing local building is threatened with demolition.
A once half-dead plant from one of the studio rooms is now being revived with water and spoken work performance actions, becoming part of the ‘garden’ installation. Its leaves have been cleaned with a sponge—perhaps a sign of new life will be returning.
A visit to ceramic artist Eva Zethraeus (www.evazethraeus.se) and painter Nils Ramhøj (www.nilsramhøj.se) at the Konstepidemin studios provided fascinating insight into this creative hub on the hill near Linnéplatsen, close to the botanisk trädgårdan. It was truly enriching to connect with the artistic and creative community, to learn more about city politics in relation to the arts—as well as to see some stunning works.
second week
The outline of the mural in the studio is now set, forming part of the broader garden concept and overall Gesamtkunstwerk. The first lumps of salt dough are prepared and ready to be worked with.
A digital contact provided by Marcus led to a meeting on Thursday with artist and teacher Malin Bogholt (www.malinbogholt.com), who teaches at Dômen Konstskola (www.domenkonstskola.se). The school overlooks the beautiful Slottskogen park and exudes an open, welcoming atmosphere. Friendly staff and students received me warmly. Malin generously facilitated meaningful conversations and connections across various departments. I had the opportunity to talk to students about the garden project — a very inspiring hour. Thank you, Malin.
Maral Mavizi, who has Persian roots, visited her former studio, where the carpet piece is currently taking shape. Our conversation led us to reflect on the garden as a phenomenon representing diverse human desires and traditions. We agreed to continue this dialogue in the near future.
The Stadsbiblioteket (City Library) ,designed by Tommy Granström and Erik Östberg in 1960, offers a broad range of specialist literature. The friendly staff welcomed me as a new library member and patiently explained some useful technical tricks and customs for navigating their system — very helpful.
Artist Maja Sikorska (www.majasikorska.com), currently working on a relief piece for Marcus at the Fabriksgatan studio, dropped by for a chat about visibility in the arts and the relationship between artistic practice and survival. It was a great opportunity to get to know Maja and her work. We’ve set a date for a small collaboration sometime in the coming days.
Viewed works by Jonas Liveröd and Emilie Florin, accompanied by a lovely conversation with Pontus Lidgard at Göteborgs Konstförening (www.goteborgskonstforening.org).
Student Hanna Biersing, who presented her intimate multimedia installation last weekend at the container gallery of Dômen, shared some reflections and thoughts on her future plans with me.
The woman working at Capitol Cinema (www.capitolgbg.se) had pointed out the demonstration in support of preserving the Valhallabadet — a stunning piece of 1950s architecture just around the corner from the studio, and an important recreational space for all citizens (www.byggnadsvard.se/radda-valhallabadet). It felt only natural to join the crowd and walk along, listening to their chants and trying to understand.
Later, a visit to Konstnärscentrum Väst (www.konstnarscentrum.org/vast) was followed by one of the most physical theatre performances I’ve experienced — a powerful piece by the KonstAB group at the Folksteatern (www.folkteatern.se). That evening, I finally met Marcus Appelberg, who, thankfully, is recovering from a severe bout of flu.
A Sunday hike through relatively untouched nature offered a glimpse of the wilderness surrounding Gothenburg.
first Week
After spending three days prior to the start of the mobility familiarizing myself with the location, distances, the urban and surrounding environments, the atmosphere of Gothenburg, and so much more, I moved into the Airbnb of Malin Johansson (www.realstars.eu) April ,2. The apartment is located about a 30-minute tram ride east of the city centre. The key to the studio was handed over by Marcus’s colleague, Maral Mavizi (www.maralmavizi.com), since Marcus had the flu.
a nice small room, not far from the city centre and close to the Valhallabadet — a nice bonus, and a great name for a place to unwind and relax but endangered by demolition (https://thegermanyeye.com/gothenburg-historic-bathhouse-demolition-debate-16460).
The call for the collaborative work I am planning to realise has already been sent out to several institutions and individuals (through Marcus’s network), including schools and organisations like Konstepidemin, Dômen, and Konstnärscentrum.
In parallel, I’ve been conducting street research around the concept of ‘heimat:en’ which is proving to be a very interesting experience. The process has been shaped partly by language barriers — especially pronunciation — and partly by the unfamiliarity or ‘strangeness’ of the question itself. People often ask me how to spell the word and whether it’s meant in a personal sense.
Starting tomorrow, I have scheduled studio sessions with volunteers who are interested in collaborative work on a special kind of ‘garden’.
hand out – project ‘gardan’ gothenburg, tanja isbarn 2
