Wild Shades
PUBLIC ART IN SWEDEN - on the Stenportsgatan, Lidkoping
31 May - 30 June 2008
Nicola has spend the Spring creating New Public Art in Sweden. "I
am an artist from Glasgow, Scotland. I have recently bought a lovely
house in Jarpas, and was considering painting it pink (not Barbie
doll pink, but a soft rose) when I discovered there was a protocol
to follow. I needed to apply to the Kommun for permission and the
colour was to be acceptable to them. I could say that as this is
my house I can paint it whatever colour I like. But would this be
thought egocentric, and would it ignore the truth that one lives
in an increasingly more crowded and complicated society in which
exercising the freedom to express oneself can be seen at the least
as dissent, at the worst as an attack.
When does the need for harmony and not upsetting others, become
conformity and subservience.? The irony is that Society, in the
long run, often advances because of the dissenters and the trailblazers,
even though at the time they can be a "xxxxx" nuisance.
If one has to conform to the general will, (which can end up being
the lowest common denominator,) how is that will arrived at? By
listening to the few who speak or who shout the loudest? In which
the case the decision can be as idiosyncratic as if it were by an
individual.
We all have an opportunity to explore these questions when considering
the makeover that is planned for the Stenportsgarten here in Lidkoping,
a collection of shops where styles and designs, interlocking and
overlapping, have evolved over decades of decisions, but which has
had over 33 years the common thread of the 24 beautiful lights,
like translucent wild berries.
This seems the best place to start my public art event wild shades,
I felt that this might give the public an opportunity to see the
process of ‘a personal choice’ in action. I have asked
the people who work in the shops on Stenportsgarden to create a
single light shade out of cotton fabric. I have provided them with
a simple pattern, in which they are welcome to add to. All I have
requested is that the design be based on their own personal taste,
such as selecting their favoured colours fabric and bits of lace
etc… For four weeks you will see the personal tastes and
artistic preferences of many individuals. There are 24 lights, 10
lamps per light, making it 240 light shades altogether. The public
will able to see wild shades from May 31 – June 30.
.
