Astrid Svangren

Astrid Svangren (Sweden 1972)

Mejlgade 46, second backyard, at the back
Open 8.00–22.00

ultra fine lily
born lippy ( oil bubbling bath )
exfoliating ( drops of sun )
bouncy sleeping towel ( cactus long handle brush )
bath pillow ( inflatable soft gel )
foamwash socks ( texturing wax )

Emotional plateaus, energy flows and rites come together in the works by Swedish artist Astrid Svangren. Here, even colours have soul, intensity and a dreamy presence. For You Are in My Veins, Svangren has created an installation for the moss-grown, deep second backyard behind Mejlgade 46. Here visitors will find a collection of tall sculptures, reminiscent of mythological memorials. Each features its own distinctive decoration made out of fabrics, plastic wraps and remains of dried flowers, setting a specific emotional tone for each. Materiality is prominently featured in Svangren’s art, where the materials chosen are associated with particular colours – or trigger them. They are like amorphous, primordial human archetypes simplified to textures, hues and folds.

The title points to wellness culture and its sensuous references to the transformation of body and soul, to healing and purification. As in Japanese tombs, spirits seem to be present in the poles – as if they were charged with magical power. The sculptures become portals, offering spiritual cleansing, catharsis, before entering another state of being. They are outposts heralding the coming of an exuberant regime of emotions.

Read more about the exhibition and the other works here:

Astrid Svangren: ultra fine lily… fra You Are in My Veins ved Mejlgade 46,2 kurateret af Charlotte Sprogøe for Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og Galleri Image. Foto: Jan Søndergaard.
Astrid Svangren: ultra fine lily… fra You Are in My Veins ved Mejlgade 46,2 kurateret af Charlotte Sprogøe for Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og Galleri Image. Foto: Jan Søndergaard.
Astrid Svangren: ultra fine lily… fra You Are in My Veins ved Mejlgade 46,2 kurateret af Charlotte Sprogøe for Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og Galleri Image. Foto: Jan Søndergaard.