A Swedish Culture Trip - Natalie Bays
My experiences of art and culture in Sweden have always been genuinely rich. The Swedish way of life includes culture and heritage everyday. From simple home design, to extraordinary happenings on the streets, to events in diverse areas and international exhibits. Lets take a quick dive into Swedish life with some Street Art, Home Design and Svenska London.
In june 2015 I took a day trip to a small town outside of Gothenburg one day with a couple of friends. On the advice that there was some beautiful street art PLUS amazing fika and vintage clothes shops - this place did not disapoint!
At the time i was working on a street art programme in Romford and this city had decided a year prior that they would regenerate their town through art and culture starting with a ‘painted town’ festival called ‘No Limits’ where a couple of new large-scale international artworks would be erected in the town every year until the artworks became a tourist destination themselves.
Something, ten years later which seems to be ‘trending’ across Europe.
What they have achieved over the years has been phenomenal :
NO Limits Street art in Borås
Constantly pulsating and present
In Borås, street art is an obvious part of the cityscape. And it all started with No Limit®. A large-scale street art festival that is now developing into something more. The legacy of the festivals can be seen in the 40 or so murals and countless street art installations around the city centre. Ready to be experienced all year round. Now No Limit® is entering a new era and can appear in the most unexpected places, like a new street art installation, mural painting or something else.
Here are some of my headliners -
PEETA
Also known as Manuel Di Rita, lives in Venice and has been active as a graffiti artist since 1993. He is a member of EAD Crew (Padua Italy), FX and RWK Crew (New York). He has participated in graffiti jams and "Meetings of Style" events in Europe and the USA. Through his work, PEETA explores the limits of sculptural writing in both painting and sculpture form.
Joe Iurato
American artist Joe Iurato uses hand-cut paper and spray paint to create monsters and shapes, a kind of modern adaptation of the early printing process. His art is about exploring and documenting personal experiences. He often places his artworks in places that blend into the urban environment and its history. In addition to creating art outdoors and for galleries, he has also done several commercial commissions for clients such as Adidas, Nike and ESPN.
Lonac
Croatian artist Lonac is known for his masterful technique and photorealistic murals. His art is often based on personal memories and observations, but he is also inspired by skate culture, comics, movies, music and social issues.
Ethylene
Etile comes from Karlstad and today works as a tattoo artist in Gothenburg, the city where he also creates many of his street art pieces. Etile's style is called Calligraffiti, which is a mix between calligraphy and graffiti.
If you do decide to take a trip to Borås get some tour guide advice with the help of the app Hej Borås. In the app you will find everything from guides and tours in central Borås to various maps with hiking trails and tips on second-hand shops.
Find out more about the Street Art and many many other cultural plans that the city has to offer on their yearly schedule on the Borås City website:
Swedish Design
How could we talk about Sweden without mentioning Ikea?
& if you are an Ikea lover, every Sunday in Sweden you can go for an ‘all you can eat breakfast / brunch’ in ikea. Its quite a big deal and you need to get in early for a seat!
Look forward to getting your load of Vafflor, lax and Kaffe.
But aside from the food, Ikea represents most things that are important in Swedish minimilist design which I feel links to the very Swedish word ‘Largom’ which means ‘just enough’.
Unlike minimalism in other Europe which values just space and functionality which can often seem stark and un-lived in - Scandinavian minimalism values simplicity, functionality and calmness. Although the difference seems minute the idea that a feeling can be a value in design is almost the difference itself.
Swedish homes are made with and filled with organic materials - a wooden house filled with cotton blinds, pine tables, woollen rugs and lots of plants. Locally sourced materials are integral and all designed products are constructed with clean lines and simple pattern and colour. This link to the organic & outside also provides a unique smell and light source inside the home, an amazingly unique intangible feeling.
When something is designed in a different way to this (for example, an english biscuit tin or a colourful cushion) it usually holds an important story and is in prime position in the home, with its history ready to be too to visitors.
And what do you do when you come home?
I lived in Malmö in the south of Sweden for about 6 months, but I’ve probably visited in addition c. 50 times since 2013. So when i get second home sick i have a couple of places that i can go to feel a bit less home sick. Ikea does a good authentic vegetarian meatball meal - but these places bro the flame a little brighter -
Finding FIKA! - Possibly the most Swedish thing you can do is to share a fika, and you can get the best cardimumbullar in London at ‘Fabriken’ - a small chain of swedish bakery that have just popped up in London. The coffee is also VERY good. It is authentic too with the first appearing in Queens Street in Stockholm.
-Easily accessible is the one near fopp on Shaftsbury Ave.
Celebrating the holidays - Scandinavian Kitchen is another go-to for all of your Swedish needs. Whether it be buying some Ost for a midsummer Paj from the grocery store downstairs or stopping for an easter Semlor, or birthday (bright green) Princess cake. This is a little bit like stepping into a portal into Gothenburg.
Scandinavian Kitchen lives just off Marylebone high street - but can also deliver groceries to your home. Which i tend to do as a rule every Christmas now!
I also recommend, if you are making a trip to Scandinavian-kitchen to also check out the Swedish church while you are there - its just down the road. This is a small congregation for Swedes away from home and have quaint Swedish events all year round, from Midsummer fares to Lucia events at Christmas.
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