There is more than one narrative about a location
25 January 2017
An archaeological excavation, meetings at different levels and parallel narratives. Artists Anna Högberg and Johan Tirén are on site in Gamlegården in Kristianstad, one of the locations in the government initiative Art is Happening. In October 2016 the preliminary study was completed and now the project will proceed to perform full-scale tests of different ideas.
“It’s a cool, traffic-free place that can be used for numerous purposes,” says artist Anna Högberg.
We are on a paved, desolate road just north of the Gamlegården residential area in Kristianstad where the nature of the rambling area Näsby fält begins. In the summers cows are put out to pasture here. Dog owners take advantage of the large open fields outside the enclosed pasture to play with their dogs – at the correct distance from the animals. Several roads lead here. But they don’t really.
“There is a walkway running from the centre of Gamlegården straight towards the field and parallel to Bataljonsvägen that adjoins the Näsby housing development. The areas are linked by roads that are also barriers,” says artist Johan Tirén.
Full-scale tests in situ
Anna Högberg and Johan Tirén’s project in Gamlegården is part of the government initiative Art is Happening. The starting point of the project was a silent walk with closed eyes in the residential area, a temporary performance by artist and choreographer Myriam Lefkowitz. A few months later, Högberg and Tirén’s preliminary studies were completed based on the residents’ experiences of the performance. Now it’s time to try out different ideas in full scale. Among other things, they want to extend a walkway all the way to Näsby fält. Now it ends abruptly, forcing people to either take a detour or step over a ditch in order to reach the field.
“We are about to send out invitations for a first test on the road adjacent to the field. In the summer there will be activities providing opportunities to meet the residents and obtain feedback on how they feel about the housing environment and learn more about current issues,” Johan Tirén explains.