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Swedish Culture Special
Oasis for local art history, craftsmanship and contemporary art By Malin Norman
The Rackstad Museum is a fascinating mix of local art history in Arvika combined with craftmanship and contemporary art. The Rackstad Museum outside Arvika dates back to the famous artist and sculptor Christian Eriksson, who grew up in the area, where the family had a farm and a furniture workshop. Although initially he intended to develop his furniture craft, Eriksson entered the world of art in France. While living in Paris, he built the home and studio Oppstuhage in the mid 1890s, as he wanted to move back home with his French wife Jeanne Tramcourt. This old building is now part of the Rackstad Museum, and visitors can see how the artist lived and worked. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition that shows early 20th-century arts and crafts, such as textiles, furniture and ceramics made by members of the Rackstad Colony. The small group consisted of friends Gustaf Fjæstad and Maja Fjæstad, Bjorn
Ahlgrensson and Fritz Lindström, and other artists and artisans who were active in the area at the time. The other exhibition hall houses the museum’s temporary displays of contemporary art. This year, the museum presents Arvika Konsthantverk – 100 år av lustfyllt
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Photos: Rackstadmuseet
skapande, which tells the story of Sweden’s oldest cooperative for arts and crafts. “The Rackstad Museum is unique in that it has one foot in the world of art and the other in crafts,” says museum director Anneli Strömberg. “You can sense the heritage, experience the old furniture workshop run by Christian Eriksson’s family, see works by the Rackstad Colony, and discover new artists in the temporary exhibitions. Also, we have a wonderful garden, a shop and a café – it’s an oasis where you can relax after exploring.” Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 5pm
Web: www.rackstadmuseet.se Facebook: rackstadmuseet Instagram: @rackstadmuseet
Swedish industrial history meets the future If you like to explore old tractors and construction machines, the Munktell Museum is going to be a veritable paradise for you. Here, you can climb up and step inside old, restored machines. But it’s not just about the past, as simulators and the latest VR technology bring you into the future. By Malin Norman
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Photos: Munktellmuseet
The Munktell Museum in Eskilstuna is a popular destination for the whole family, including curious children who love tractors, people interested in steam engines, and real tech enthusiasts. The museum opened in 1991 in the heart of Sweden’s industrial district and is owned by Volvo Construction Equipment, one of the world leaders in construction machinery, dating back to engineer Johan Theofron Munktell. In 2008, it was named the world’s best museum in its category. The collections include around 200 objects that represent Sweden’s industrial history – everything from pioneering engineering to modern construction machines. In addition to the exhibition halls of around 3,000 square metres, 52 |
Issue 140
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central Eskilstuna, which has been renovated and now houses everything from culture and education to sports, music and food.
March 2022
the museum has a repair workshop and an auditorium with room for 100 people, plus facilities for conferences and events, and a popular café. “Here, you can follow the progress of Volvo Construction Equipment through nearly 190 years of innovation, see machines that have been restored, and even climb up and step inside,” says Jannicke Serneberg, museum director. “But we also show how history meets the future with interactive elements and digitalisation.” Visitors can try simulators and experience the latest VR technology, and there are lots of events throughout the year. The Munktell Museum is located in Munktellstaden, an old industrial district in
The Munktell Museum is open six days a week. Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm Saturday: 11am to 4pm Sunday: closed
Web: www.munktellmuseet.com Facebook: Munktellmuseet Instagram: @munktellmuseet