Kivik Art Centre is making a fresh start this summer at Svabesholm's royal estate, which is located just two kilometres from Bergdala, where the tower struggle with author Ulf Lundell has taken place.
It is not yet decided whether the tower will be moved.
We felt compelled to move, as we couldn't progress further in our development, says Axel Mörner, artistic leader.
In the undulating, lush nature surrounding the royal estate, Kivik Art Centre now has larger areas to play with. However, establishing a new sculpture park takes time, as permits from the county administrative board are required before the works can be placed.
For now, a process work is in focus this summer, Gunnel Pettersson's "Field Walking – how do I take hold of my place on earth?"
The Field in Motion
The artist has received help from a farmer to cultivate 0.8 hectares of buckwheat, a plant with white flowers and heart-shaped leaves that was previously called "poor man's grain".
At the inauguration of the new Kivik Art Centre next Sunday, she will perform a dance performance together with three dancers to set the field in motion.
What we're working with is expressing our love for this place, says Gunnel Pettersson.
Between the buckwheat plants, paths are being built, where visitors can go on a field walk themselves. Later in the summer, improvisation to music in the buckwheat field will also be offered, and when it's time for harvest, visitors are welcome to participate.
Svabesholm offers entirely new opportunities, believes Axel Mörner, not least in terms of more generous opening hours and eventually being able to offer exhibitions in an indoor hall all year round.
Moving in Phases
The actual move of the artworks from Bergdala will take place in phases. It has already been decided where they will stand, so visitors can walk around the area and take part in the works by scanning a QR code on each location with their mobile.
But what about the 18-metre-high tower that remains on Bergdala?
Ulf Lundell, who lives nearby, has wanted to get rid of it, as he claims that visitors to the tower get a glimpse into his garden. However, after many legal twists and turns, the Land and Environment Court of Appeal has decided that it can remain.
The creator Antony Gormley believes that the artwork is site-specific and should therefore remain. It could thus become the case that the entire sculpture park is moved, except for the tower. But nothing is yet set in stone, emphasizes Axel Mörner.
The artist would like it to remain. And we're not opposed to that, as it's possible to have satellites.
The centre opened in 2007 on Bergdala farm just outside Kivik, with Sune Nordgren as artistic leader for the first ten years.
The centre operates at the interface between sculpture, architecture, and nature.
Starting this year, a new sculpture park is being built on the nearby Svabesholm's royal estate in Svinaberga.
During the construction phase, admission is free.
Source: Kivik Art Centre
