February 1998 The city and its museums focus on art Spotlight on Swedish design Cultural Capital 98 - a theatrical extravaganza PREVIOUS NEWS News 4/97 News 3/97 News 2/97 News 1/97 Navigation page

The city and its museums focus on art The focus is very much on art during Stockholm's year as Cultural Capital, with one of the high points being the inauguration of the new Museum of Modern Art in mid February. The museum has one of the western world's finest collections of modern art and will be relocating to a building designed by the renowned Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. Internationally acclaimed as an architectural masterpiece, Moneo's creation blends in perfectly with the archipelago landscape on the little island of Skeppsholmen in the heart of the city. During Stockholm's year as Cultural Capital the museum will also be serving as a bridge between the pioneers of modernism such as Mir� and the avant garde artists of the last few decades. In the same way Stockholm will act as a platform for a variety of art during 1998, everything from Tintoretto to the masters of the future. ARKIPELAG is one of the year's largest events. The diversity of contemporary art is reflected in 40 or so exhibitions shown over five different periods at seven museums and other venues. Located a comfortable distance from each other, these venues do not normally house art exhibitions, in fact one is a power station from the turn of the century, and another is the recently opened Royal Coin Cabinet in Gamla Stan, the old part of Stockholm. A hundred artists - Swedish and international, famous and not so famous - have contributed to Archipelago with installations, video art, sculptures, photographs etc. 16 Jan-29 Nov. The work of Eug�ne Jansson, one of Sweden's most fascinating painters from the turn of the century will be shown in a major exhibition in the recently renovated Liljevalch Art Gallery. Internationally there is considerable interest in this expressionist who is best known for his "blue" paintings: panoramas of Stockholm and its waters in a spellbinding blue twilight. 17 Jan-15 Mar. Contact. Färgfabriken (The Paint Factory), an exhibition centre in an old factory on the edge of Stockholm, kicks off its programme for the year with seven gigantic paintings by Ernst Billgren together with a number of his classical pieces. 17 Jan-15 Mar. Art Vending Machines. A number of red art vending machines will be located in popular parts of the city throughout 1998 and will sell pieces costing between SEK 5 and SEK 200 provided by 40 or so artists. Wounds: Between Democracy and Redemption in Contemporary Art is the title of the inaugural exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art - an exhibition of the work of leading European and US artists from the 1960s to the present day, from Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol to Joseph Beuys and Georg Baselitz. The title alludes to the impact of the conflict between collective will and individual freedom on art. 14 Feb-19 Apr. Insight. 50 or so artists take over shop windows in central Stockholm, including those of department stores NK and Åhl�ns, and fill them with all kinds of art - including paintings, photographs, videos, sculptures, design, film, circus. 1-15 Feb. The Word - The Eternal Drama is a project on the relationship between faith and art. It opens on 25 March, Annunciation Day, in the Skeppsholm Church where contemporary art focuses on Jacopo Tintoretto's painting of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Tensta Art Gallery - Stockholm's new centre for contemporary art located in a former warehouse in the suburb of Tensta. Opens during March. Stockholm Sculpture Triennal. Alfred Nobel's former sulphuric acid factory has been renovated as the House of Sculpture, which is to open in April with a sculpture triennial. 36 artists from Sweden and beyond exhibit their work. Three dates: 18 April, 18 July and 17 October. The World Walks in Stockholm Art. An exhibition of around 50 signs from different countries with a figure showing where to cross the road. On some he looks like Flash Gordon, on others like Jacques Tati. Apr-Nov on Djurgården. ArtGenda. A major event where the most promising young artists and performers from 16 Baltic cities meet the public for a journey through every genre: visual art, fashion, dance, performances, video, architecture, interactive media etc. No fewer than 300 of tomorrow's stars will take part in this event at the Cultural Centre and the Stockholm City Theatre on 1-24 May. Joan Mir�: Creator of New Worlds. The Museum of Modern Art's other major contribution to Stockholm's year as Cultural Capital is a look back at the work of Joan Mir�, focusing on his early paintings from the 1920s to the 1950s, from cubism to the light and playful style that became his trademark. 16 May-30 Aug. Eco-sculptures in the Bergius Botanic Gardens. Fifteen sculptors use turf and grass seed to transform the gardens into a green work of art. The sculptures will then be composted to feed new plants. 5 Jun-31 Dec. Returning to Folk Art. The verdant Skansen open-air museum inspires 26 artists to fantasise about the roots of the Swedish people. 1 Jun-31 Aug. Memento Metropolis. The city as a phenomenon is the theme of this exhibition in an old factory just outside Stockholm. A number of artists "... visualise the relationship between memory and expectation which is expressed in the modern metropolis". The central works are G�ricault's "The Raft of the Medusa" and Martin Klippenberger's production of "The Happy End of Franz Kafka's America". The Culture Factory 1 Sep-15 Nov. The Scandinejvian Sauna Prodjekt Art. Artist Peter Johansson embarks upon a research project: a sauna which visitors may use if they wish at the Milles Estate Museum. Sep-Oct. The European Fire Sculpture Championships. Fire is used as an independent form of artistic expression in this open competition. Fire sculpture involves finesse, dominating and controlling the form, volume and mass of fire...16 teams take part at Gärdet Field on 25, 26, 28 Nov. Charged Light. A magnificent display showing the amazing power of light. Projections against the facade of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and plays of neon and shadow on the windows provide a clue as to the light spreading throughout the exhibition rooms inside. Dec-Jan. Spotlight on Swedish design Swedish Grace, Swedish Modern... Swedish design has achieved international recognition under several guises and today Sweden's designers are claiming new victories around the world. Their work is characterised by simplicity, practicality, natural materials and a desire to create "beauty for all". The 1990s have seen international designers adopting a more ecological approach, with Scandinavian simplicity back in the limelight and inspiring designers the world over. During its year as Cultural Capital, Stockholm will give international visitors a chance to see for themselves a broad range of new Swedish design. The following are just some of the highlights: Instead of opting for normal souvenirs, eleven young Swedish designers have created a Design Collection to celebrate the year. Eleven different items which can be used all year round for both festivities and everyday living will be available through a total of 60 Åhl�ns stores. From rucksacks to glassware - they are all made from Swedish materials, designed with sophisticated simplicity in mind and cost less than SEK 400. Available throughout 1998. The inauguration of the Museum of Modern Art in February will also be something of a design event. Swedish interior and furniture designers such as Thomas Sandell and Jonas Bolin have made their mark on the museum's interior. Look out too for exhibitions on Swedish modernism and Russian constructivism. A Mirror of the Century: An exhibition at the Royal Army Museum depicting people's relationships with design and objects over the 100 years since the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897. Years gone by will be brought to life by various everyday objects, sounds, photographs and moving pictures. April-October. Art Nouveau Porcelain from Rörstrand: 70 pieces from Robert Schreiber's collection of masterpieces from the famous Rörstrand porcelain factory. Ceramists and designers during the late 1800s and early 1900s took their inspiration from Nordic light and Swedish nature. Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde, 3 April-29 June. Orrefors' Centenary: The world's most famous glass factory celebrates with an exhibition depicting its history and presenting the work of its most famous designers. National Museum of Art, 28 May-11 October. Wonderful Crafts: An exhibition of useful items inspired by Swedish national costume and folk art. Visitors will also be given an opportunity to try their hand at carving, cutting, whittling, embroidering and knitting. Liljevalch Art Gallery, 29 May-23 August. A Love of Glass: Together with the National Museum of Art, Millesgården will be showing Agnes Hellner's collection of Orrefors and Sandviken glassware - an art form which has made Sweden famous since the 1920s. 12 June-23 August. Gardens and Crafts: Just a walk from the city centre, the royal park of Djurgården will play host to an eclectic mix of landscape gardening, handicrafts, ecology and cookery in one of the year's largest events. 15 May-31 October. Stockholm Modern: A guide through the city's design. Everyday objects, items and interiors from throughout the century taken from public places, restaurants and shops. May-December. The Rowing Boat: A historic means of transport in Stockholm. The summer will see skilled rowers taking to the city's waterways in streamlined "gondolas" - the very latest in rowing boat design. Jump aboard for a trip to a destination of your choice. From the landing stages by Af Chapman and Galärvarvet, 1 June - 30 September. And Now: A workshop headed by Europe's leading designers, including Ettore Sottsass Jr, James Irvin, Alberto Meda and Konstantin Grcic, who will be getting together with their Swedish colleagues to interpret Swedish traditions in furniture design. The results will be displayed along with Swedish classics in a 17th century building in central Stockholm. Exhibition: Museum of National Antiquities, 8-18 June. Workshops: 4-6 June. Seminar: 7 June. Ceramics '98: 15 artists representing a cross-section of contemporary Swedish ceramics, students and young ceramists take part in exhibitions, workshops and discussions. Konstfack, 9-15 June. The Timber House of the Future: Traditional skills in a new architectural form with new technology. Look inside for a new approach to furniture, textiles, porcelain, storage, eating, socialising and sleeping in the new millennium. Outside the National Museum of Art from the end of May until August. Silver - The City: Two exhibitions of jewellery and other items made from various metals by Sweden's leading goldsmiths and silversmiths. Nutida Svenskt Silver, Arsenalsgatan, 16 April-6 May & 20 August-8 September. Outstanding Swedish Design: Contemporary Swedish design and a selection of pieces by young visionaries. National Museum of Art, 18 November-25 January 1999. Cultural Capital 98 - a theatrical extravaganza During its year as Cultural Capital of Europe, Stockholm will be hosting many dramatic and operatic performances. A multitude of international guest performances will rub shoulders with new Swedish opera and drama. The summer months will see a number of outdoor events in which our special Nordic light will be playing its part. The city's venerable theatres will also be taking part in this cultural extravaganza. Stockholm's magnificent opera house will be celebrating its centenary although the royal opera company itself was actually set up in the 18th century by Gustav III, a great lover of opera and theatre who both wrote and took part in his own works. Drama and real life combined when Gustav was fatally wounded while attending an operatic performance - an incident which later inspired Verdi's Masked Ball. A cruel fate also awaited the Swedish autocrat's contemporary Marie Antoinette. One aspect of her links with Sweden - love - is the theme of one of the many exciting dramatic events set to take place in 1998: Marie Antoinette is a new Swedish opera by Daniel Börtz. Swedish diplomat Axel von Fersen's reciprocated passion for the French queen will be staged at the Folk Opera. 24 Jan-26 Apr (except 6-14 Apr). Carmina Burana at the Royal Opera House gets Stockholm's year as Cultural Capital off to a spectacular start. Carl Orff's theatrical cantata is based on the songs of wandering poets and monks. Opens 2 Jan. Kristina från Duvemåla (Kristina from Duvemåla) is a musical by ABBA's Björn and Benny. A gripping, beautiful and humorous portrayal of a Swedish classic about the mass emigration to America during the last century. Premiere 14 Feb at Cirkus. Bildmakarna (Image Makers) is a play in which two of the greatest names in Swedish film meet. Ingmar Bergman, who celebrates his 80th birthday during Stockholm's year as Cultural Capital, produces this play in which one of the leading figures is Victor Sjöström, the silent movie director who made it in Hollywood in the 1920s. Premiere 7 Feb at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. Tolvskillingsoperan (The Threepenny Opera). Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill's musical about corruption and bribery is very contemporary. The music is performed by rockabilly band Fat Boys. 5 Feb - end of May at the Pistol Theatre. Mor Kurage och hennes barn (Mother Courage and Her Children) by Brecht at the Stockholm City Theatre marks the centenary of Brecht's birth. The play is set in the 17th century where Mother Courage is attempting to make money out of the Thirty Years' War. Premiere 6 Mar. 100 Objects to Represent the World - a prop opera by Peter Greenaway which is his own alternative list for the 100 objects sent into space from Cape Kennedy in 1977. A Machiavellian, galactic toy shop and wish room � la Faust with light, sound, voices and music. 11-14 Jun at Kulturfabriken on Liljeholmen. På Sicilen och Pajazzo (Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci). Two dramatic operettas in Italian by Pietro Mascagni and Ruggiero Leoncavallo respectively. Intense passion under the hot Mediterranean sun. Opens 5 Mar at the Royal Opera House. Otello by Giuseppe Verdi. Based on Shakespeare's drama about the jealous Moor who served the Venetian state in Cyprus. Israeli tenor Gabriel Sad� takes the lead role at the Royal Opera House. Premiere 9 Apr. Rhenguldet (Das Rheingold). Musical drama by Richard Wagner performed in German. The first part of the Ring Cycle is packed with gods, heroes, mermaids, dragons and giants in a spellbinding production at the Royal Opera House. Premiere 23 Apr. Japanskt Kabuki-gästspel (Japanese Kabuki guest performance). Kabuki is a powerful, colourful and popular mixture of speech, song, dance and music where male actors play female roles. Jun at the Stockholm City Theatre. International Puppet Theatre Festival with eight of the world's leading puppet theatre companies. 3-18 Jun at the Stockholm City Theatre. Glucksommar på Drottningholms Slottsteater (Gluck Summer at the Drottningholm Court Theatre). Three operas and a ballet by Christoph Willibald Gluck, including Orpheus and Eurydice. Premiere 26 Jun. Nils Holgersson. Selma Lagerlöf's famous story about the journey of a little boy, Nils, across Sweden on the back of a goose in a sparkling performance with music, song, dance and imaginative costumes. 1-22 Jul, performed in a marquee in Gärdet Field. Celestina directed by Robert Lepage is a Romeo and Juliet story written a hundred years before Shakespeare by Spaniard Fernando de Rojas. A joint production by Lepage's own Canadian group Ex Machina and the Royal Dramatic Theatre's ensemble. 8 Aug-end Nov at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. Don Giovanni. Direct from the festival in Aix-en-Provence, Peter Brooks brings this personal version of Mozart's opera with Swedish baritone Peter Mattei in the lead role. 1-15 Aug at the Royal Opera House. Opera på krogen (Restaurant Opera). For one month young opera singers will be performing at 15 restaurants, caf�s and bars at various times during the day and night. 15 Aug-13 Sep. Strindbergsfestivalen (Strindberg Festival). For a third year Stockholm's streets, squares and theatres will buzz with performances, exhibitions, readings and other events, particularly at the Strindberg Theatre. Several international guest performances are on the festival programme, including a German production of Strindberg's play Gustav Adolf directly from the Ruhrfestspielen in Recklinghausen. 22 Aug- 12 Sep. Staden (The City) is a new opera by Sven-David Sandström, one of Sweden's leading composers. The lead roles are sung by Anne Sofie von Otter and Loa Falkman. Premiere 12 Sep at the Royal Opera House. Union des Th�atres de l�Europe comprises 15 theatre companies, incl the Od�on in Paris, Piccolo Teatro in Milan, Royal Shakespeare Company in London and the Berliner Ensemble. 1998 sees the Royal Dramatic Theatre of Sweden hosting the annual festival where a number of these theatre companies work together on a single work. 20 Oct-5 Nov. Barberaren i Sevilla (The Barber of Seville) by Gioacchino Rossini is one of the most popular comic operas in the Royal Swedish Opera's repertoire. Premiere 31 Oct. Johanna by Mats Ek is a performance about the myth and reality surrounding Joan of Arc. A mixture of drama, dance and music. Premiere late Oct/early Nov at the Orion Theatre. Ett drömspel (A Dreamplay) by August Strindberg produced by Robert Wilson. Two theatre revolutionaries meet despite their 100 year age difference. Wilson views drama as a meeting of the arts and is inspired by 19th century American melodrama. Premiere Nov at the Stockholm City Theatre. Internationell vetenskapsteaterfestival (International Scientific Theatre Festival) at the Stockholm City Theatre. 4-10 Dec. Stockholmsblod (Stockholm's Blood). A whirlwind of a musical with a medieval setting. Burlesque humour, noble-mindedness and courage based on a piece of Swedish history: the Danish king's bloodbath of Stockholm's nobility. Premiere 26 Dec at the Stockholm City Theatre.