Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Scandinavian Culture – Sweden
Susan Philipsz, A Single Voice (2017), from Lost in Space.
Susan Philipsz, guest artist at Bonniers Konsthall.
Interior from Lost in Space.
Space, art and war photography Bonniers Konsthall is not only a leading institution for Swedish and international contemporary art. This cutting-edge gallery also raises moral and ethical questions with its upcoming exhibitions. By Malin Norman | Photos: Petter Cohan/Bonniers Konsthall
Bonniers Konsthall has, ever since the start in 2006, been a welcoming place to see exhibitions and take part in discussions about Swedish and international contemporary art. The gallery in central Stockholm showcases new and upcoming names as well as more established artists. Visitors can see collections in a bigger cultural context as well as solo displays with work produced specifically for the gallery, in addition to talks, seminars and special events. With a mission to spread knowledge about modern art to the general public, the gallery is a privately run non-profit organisation. It originated from the Maria Bonnier Dahlin Foundation, which was founded by the late Jeanette Bonnier in 1985 in memory of her daughter Maria Bonnier Dahlin. Its knowledgeable art guides add to the active hosting concept, as curator Theodor Ringborg explains: “We value communication with our visitors and work a lot around active hosting. 60 | Issue 98 | March 2017
Our dedicated guides actually talk to visitors about art, which is not so common in art institutions.”
Lost in space Bonniers Konsthall currently presents Lost in Space, a solo exhibition with Turner Prize-winning artist Susan Philipsz. The Scottish guest artist is internationally renowned for her spatial sound installations, which revolve around themes such as loss, longing and hope. Here, Philipsz has created a new piece around the space opera Aniara, originally a poem written by Swedish Nobel laureate Harry Martinson in 1956. The exhibition is open until 7 May. This summer, Bonniers Konsthall will present a collection from Swedish publishing house Albert Bonnier Förlag. It includes art purchased by bookseller Gerhard Bonnier in the early 1800s. “This display shows Swedish art history from a forgotten period,” says Ringborg. “It’s really interesting to see not just the work by
the artists, but also how a collection was put together during this time.” Later in the year, the art gallery will host the exhibition Images of War, with war photography from the 1960s to the present day. It raises important questions on political awareness and evokes ethical and moral connections with the object. The display will be combined with a conference on 24-25 November, including art performances and discussions on topics such as propaganda and news value.
Susan Philipsz, Radio Star (2017), from Lost in Space.
Opening hours: Wednesday 12pm-8pm Thursday-Sunday 12pm-5pm Free admission.
For more information, please visit: www.bonnierskonsthall.se