{"id":310,"date":"2009-12-22T13:55:19","date_gmt":"2009-12-22T17:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/?p=310"},"modified":"2009-12-22T13:55:19","modified_gmt":"2009-12-22T17:55:19","slug":"gothenburgian-epidemy-to-strike-sweden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/swedish\/gothenburgian-epidemy-to-strike-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"Gothenburgian epidemic to strike Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Before you’d start running to your GP for another injection let me console you
\nthat this epidemy although contagious isn’t a lethal one.
\nGuys, it’s gonna be a\u00a0long one\u00a0this time! And there’s a part two and a part three
\ncoming up in the near future.<\/p>\n

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Konstepedemin\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>(The Epidemic of Art):
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

The Epidemic of Art is a former epidemic hospital situated in the
\ncentre of Gothenburg. It was abandoned in the sixties when a new
\nhospital was built outside the city centre. For a long time it stood
\nempty, until 1983 when\u00a0a group of artists and architects “discovered”
\nthe place and saw the potential. They presented the vision for\u00a0some\u00a0local
\nartists, the city council and the state authorities. Thanks to insecure\u00a0plans
\nfor the area, Konstepedemin was established\u00a0in 1987. <\/span><\/span>
\nI talked to Sofia \u00c5hrman, project leader at Konstepidemin.<\/p>\n

What is the story behind Konstepidemin, when was it established
\nand what has changed since then?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

– <\/strong><\/span>At that time there was a shortage of affordable studio spaces due to
\nmajor rebuilding projects in the central parts of G\u00f6teborg.
\nThe ambition was to build a cultural centre where different types
\nof artists could work close to each other in a surrounding that supports <\/span>
\ncreativity and artistic exchange. There was
\nalso an ambition to become a pressure group for the arts towards
\nthose in political and economical power.<\/span><\/p>\n

From that starting point Konstepidemin has taken shape. It is run as
\na non profit organization with a board consisting of artists and
\npeople from “the outside world” who can bring useful knowledge and
\nenergy. Konstepidemin is financed by studio rents. G\u00f6teborg city
\ncouncil supports the public work we do. For projects we apply for
\nsupport from all kinds of sources; the city, the region, the
\ngovernment, sponsors and private funds. Besides studio spaces it was
\nearly decided to have a common restaurant and a gallery as meeting
\nground for artists and visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The core from the start is still the heart in all work and in the
\norganisation. But since then The Epidemic of Art have obviously
\nchanged… And as a\u00a0contemporary actor in the field of arts, we have
\ndeveloped with time and in a changing world. We have ambitions and
\nvisions we cannot always fulfil with our limited resources. The
\nname, Konstepidemin, is a pun, for infecting people with the epidemia
\nof arts. Seriously, we work hard to make more connections both with
\nthe local society and with the international world of art. The basis
\nis always the artistic work and the idea of the arts as a necessary
\npower source in the society.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays we run more aware public work and open up for new projects
\nand temporary activities. We are trying to reach a wider audience
\nand thus share all the knowledge the artists here have. The growing
\nactivities with young people and children are very, very important.
\nAnd the world does not look the same as in 1987, there wasn’t internet back then!<\/span><\/p>\n

So, most of all it is a working place for the artists, but on the
\nagenda there is also a lot of public happenings. The single gallery
\nis now for exhibitions, where you can see around 30 exhibitions every
\nyear. Hnoss, is an artist run gallery dedicated to contemporary
\njewellery. Galleri Konstepidemin also have two more experimental
\nexhibition spaces and a newly started web based gallery.
\nKonstepidemin arranges public events besides all the artist\u2019s
\nindividual shows and performances. For\u00a0the young\u00a0people\u00a0we run a workshop
\nprogram and summer job program called “The Youngs” <\/span>
\nand\u00a0 “the Children’s Academy” <\/span>gives around 1200 kids an artistic experience every year. <\/span><\/p>\n

Five guest studios provide work space for mainly international artists.
\nKonstepidemin is a member of several international studio and culture networks. All
\nthis could not be done if it wasn’t for the efforts of a dedicated group of artists and staff.<\/span>
\n<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The arts program for young people at Konstepedemin,”The Youngs”.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You guys have made it possible for so many artists to create in an
\nenvironment where they can have interaction with other artists on a daily
\nbasis. How many artists have studios at Konstepidemi and how hard
\nit is to get a studio like this?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

– Yes, it is based in the spirit of non profit and solidarity. Close to
\n150 artists work in around 100 studios here. Some share studios and
\nsome are on second hand lease. The main criteria to get a studio on
\nKonstepidemin are artistic quality and artistic integrity: that you
\nhave a personal, artistic project. There is also an ambition to have a
\ndiversity of art forms represented. We have sculptors, actors,
\nwriters, textile artists, designers, dancers, jewellery and ceramic
\nartists, painters, performance artists, print makers, poets, film
\nmakers and others.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact it is very hard to get a studio, as it is rare that an artist
\nleave Konstepidemin. Anyone can apply. A studio committee of artists will
\ndecide who will be the lucky one. The people in the committee
\nchanges over time to make the process more democratic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Outside Konstepidemin in G\u00f6teborg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do you have programs for everyone? What projects are you the most
\nproud of?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

– No we don’t have programs for everyone, this is most of all a work
\nplace. But in all the things that we do for the public we do try to
\nbe welcoming. There is something for everyone here… All the
\nproductions made for children and adults, all the art that
\nis created, all the exhibitions, all the\u00a0stage productions, all the\u00a0different
\nworkshops… Or perhaps you just want to have lunch in the restaurant or take a walk
\nin the park with the dog. The condition of the area and houses
\naccessability is not so much to brag about. The list can be long over
\nproblems like slippery steps, lots of stairs, difficulties for
\ndisabled…. But the hospitality and all the openminded people is what makes
\nthis place.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long have you been working here? Can you tell me about any
\nspecial areas that\u00a0are close to your heart?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

– For five years I have worked as a project manager, mostly for “The Youngs”
\nin different projects. So a big part of my heart is there, close to
\nthe energy and work of young people. Hopefully to provide a place
\nfor their creativity and to bring them a possibilty to find their own
\ndifferent expressions and strengthen them in various ways. The main
\npoint of the summer job program is the importance of realizing that
\ntheir art, made during the work period here, makes a difference for
\nsomeone else. The work is in much built on cooperation, for example, with
\nThe Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital\u00a0(Drottning Silvias Barn och Ungdomssjukhus), <\/span>
\nit is\u00a0one favorite. I\u00a0also work as a producer for some of the artists <\/span>at the producer’s office here.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think that many families, people who were born and lived in
\nG\u00f6teborg, can tell their own stories related to the former Epidemic
\nHospital. For example, my mother was hospitalized here in the end of
\n1940s. When I started to work here, she pointed out the window where
\nshe stood as a\u00a0four year old girl, waving to my grandmother because
\nthey did not allow visitors. There are many stories to be told, both
\nfrom then and now – the world look different – and that challenge is
\nfor the artistic work and for the visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

(foto: Bibbi Forsman)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Before you’d start running to your GP for another injection let me console you that this epidemy although contagious isn’t a lethal one. Guys, it’s gonna be a\u00a0long one\u00a0this time! And there’s a part two and a part three coming up in the near future. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Konstepedemin\u00a0(The Epidemic of Art)…<\/p>\n

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