Now, the price tag for the project's three public artworks has also increased – from 32 to 70 million kronor, which the so-called Waste Ombudsman Philip Syrén from the Taxpayers' Association has pointed out.
The State Art Council explains the increased cost with higher material and transportation costs due to inflation, according to GP. At the same time, the requirements for the artworks' lifespan have been extended from 30 to 120 years.
The State Art Council is now contributing 10.5 million kronor – the rest is covered by other state, municipal, and regional actors, according to Lotta Mossum, art project manager at the State Art Council. Since 1937, the state has followed a rule that up to one percent of the total construction cost should go to art. The three artworks of Västlänken do not reach three per thousand, she emphasizes.
Art gives so much and costs so little, she says.
