2024-2025

In the 1960s and 70s a demolition frenzy took place in Stockholm wiping out large parts of the city center. This was a time with social and urban transformation en masse. Conflicting visions about a future in plural.

Suburbs grew up at the outskirts where everyday life would play out. In Vårberg, two artificial mountains were placed, designed to resemble an amphi theatre. They were built of the demolishing material from houses, blocks and blowouts from the expanding subway system. Its nickname became The Vårberg dump. The soil that covered the massive piles came from many directions. A flora that was versatile originated with time, just like the area itself where people from over a hundred nationalities live today. 

Wildflower Tales is shot with 16 mm film and processed by hand with flowers and plants from the filmed locations on the mountains. A document of short scenes with landscapes, flowers, family and friends in simple poses sweeps by, linked with what became the culmination of further blunt transformations in Stockholm this time around, the riot in Kungsträdgården 1971. 

A common quote from the urban planners in the 60s was the aim to create a new city for the new man. Decades later here we are, man and nature caught in-between opposing forces in a milieu both created and suppressed. It’s a wildflower, is a flower, is a flower.

Special thanks to my professor Tris Vonna Michell & the input from the student group of performance in the expanded field at the Royal Institut of Art during this process. Love to Caio Marques De Oliveira, Vladyslav Kamenskyy, Mikael Beckman Thor, Daniel Norrman, Björn Larsson, Jenny Nordmark, Åsa Andersson Broms, Liv Strand for additional feedback and artistic guidance!