Here at Civilisation Sculpture in Stockholm, art plays an important role. Sweden believes that art should be available to everyone. You will find artworks scattered throughout Stockholm. They are in parks, squares and along streets. Even the subway stations display art for everyone to enjoy.
Sweden has a long tradition of public art. In 1963, Stockholm City Council implemented the 1% rule. This rule states that 1% of the total cost of construction projects must be allocated to publicly accessible artwork. Stockholm Konst commissions and purchases art for Stockholm’s public spaces. These spaces include both indoor and outdoor areas.
Many of Stockholm’s most prestigious art museums incorporate artworks into their surrounding nature. Several public sculpture parks are scattered around the city. This makes art accessible to anyone at any time.
One notable piece of public art is the statue of Margareta Krook. She was a cherished Swedish actor. The statue stands on the corner of the Royal Dramatic Theatre. This was her favorite spot for cigarette breaks. Marie-Louise Ekman created the statue in 2002. It is heated to 37 degrees Celsius.
Another interesting project is Art Made This. Female artists make their mark on public facades and doors in the city. Xavier Veilhan’s “Vårbergs Jättar” features two sky-blue concrete sculptures. They are located in Vårberg in southern Stockholm. The largest giant is 19 meters long.
Yash created a mural on Södermalm street Luthens Gränd. Charlotte Gyllenhammar’s “Osagd/Untold” is located on Royal Djurgården. The Princess Estelle Cultural Foundation acquired it. Subtopia is a center for art and culture in Alby. It has an outdoor gallery with artists from all over the world.
You will find Sweden’s smallest public statue in the courtyard of Stockholm Cathedral. It is called ‘Boy Looking at the Moon’ but is now known as ‘Iron Boy’. Liss Eriksson made the statue in 1967. People often leave gifts for him.
In Rinkeby, secondary school children created a light-art installation. Marianne Lind and Stina Wollter directed the project. The results are six bright art pieces decorating Rinkebystråket. Max Ockborn’s artworks inhabit Bredängsparken. He transformed four rocks into trolls.
Amara Por Dios created a colorful mural in Södermalm in 2017. Mari Rantanen created a mural in Hjulsta. Mihály Kolodko created a miniature bronze statue of Alfred Nobel. It is located outside the Hungarian Embassy.
Elmgreen & Dragset’s Life Rings is located in Royal Djurgården. This sculpture park focuses on contemporary art. The collaborative public art project På Sergels Torg connects commercial life with artists. It creates a vibrant meeting space.
Sculptures of Swedish rulers have been created since the 17th century. Most of them are located in Stockholm. You can see many in the city center. They are around Stockholm Palace, in Gamla Stan and in Kungsträdgården.
Triumfbåge för halta is a tribute to everyday heroes. It is located in Stockholm Royal Seaport. Anders Sletvold Moe’s installation, Window Reflections, connects with the facade of Bobergsskolan. Elle Klarskov Jørgensen created Light House Io for Hjorthagens IP. It is a counterpart to Ferdinand Boberg’s gasometers.
Gunilla Klingberg designed Vardagslivets gång. It is a pedestrian and bicycle path from the Hjorthagen metro station to the gasometers. Eva Löfdahl’s 108 källor forms a visual gateway from Stockholm Royal Seaport to the Royal National City Park.
Kirsten Ortwed created eight bronze sculptures in Hästhagsparken. Jeppe Hein’s Water Pavilion sprays water to form walls at Storängstorget. Johanna Karlsson’s poodle Theo commemorates the Dog Shelter. Hans Rosenström’s artwork 2066 is located on the rooftop terrace of the Värtan Terminal. Pia Törnell’s Tone of Water consists of ceramic modules inside the new passenger terminal at Värtahamnen. Mattias van Arkel’s Cut Open Strip Painting is made of braided silicone strips. Lisa Gerdin’s sculpture group Port creates spaces and openings at Hamnplan. Josefina Anjou’s Flyttar in och Hamnar i is based on a wordplay. The artworks are placed on three pink containers.
Civilisation Sculpture like all public art in Stockholm invites us to reflect. It encourages curiosity. It enriches our experience of the city.