Public sculptures for the Vallviken Preschool in Växjö
Gammelskogens skattkammare
concrete, foam coat, styrofoam, metal, glass, epoxy, paint, leds...
The commissioned sculptures (Treasury of Ancient Forest) were inaugurated in Växjö 2019
In 2018 Furbacken was invited by the city of Växjö (VöFab) to make a sketch for the new Vallvikens Förskola at Välludden. After having been well received, the proposal “Gammelskogens Skattkammare” (Treasury of Ancient Forest) was produced by the artist at his Studio in Bromma. The lighting was developed in collaboration with Conny Åhs (Ad Lumen) and the works were installed in June 2019.
The artistic proposal consists of two parts: a few sculptural pieces in the ceiling of an outdoor resting place (utesov) and some patterns on the facade contrasting the red faluröd retro-architecture.
Here below is the map and list (Swedish/Latin) of the endangered spices that have inspired the artist
1. Liten trumpetmossa (Teiloria tenuis)
2. Skogsfru (Epipogium Aphyllum)
3. Svartnande Kantarell (Cantharellus melanoxeros)
4. Olivjordstunga (Microglossum olivaceum s.str.)
5. Lamellsnäcka (Spermodea lamellata)
6. Rosa lundlav (Bacidia rosella)
7. Lunglav (Lobaria pulmonaria)
8. Ladlav (Cyphelium Tigillare)
9. Mindre hackspett (Dendrocopos minor)
10. Revig blodrot (Potentilla Erecta)
11. Ädelguldbagge (Gnorimus nobilis)
12. Olivjordstunga (Microglossum olivaceum)
13. Tvåfärgsnoppling (Entoloma tjallingiorum)
14. Hartsticka (Ganoderma pfeifferi)
15. Violettkantad guldvingelarv (Lycaena hippothoe)
16. Trubbnate (Potamogeton obtusifolius)
17. Loke (Lotalota) fisk
18. Sjöhjortron (Nostoc Zetterstedtii)
“Treasury of Ancient Forest”
(Gammelskogens Skattkammare)
concrete, foam coat, styrofoam, metal, glass, epoxy, paint, leds...
The ceiling-sculptures are all handmade in a type of lightweight concrete and other building materials with the desired surface properties. The choice of installing the "forest floor" upside down is a way to enhance the child perspective by creating a mind shift for the adult viewer. The title's metaphorical comparison to treasures invites us to revalue the importance of these endangered and often unknown organisms for the ecological balance of our nearest environment.
In order to ensure the diversity in animal and plant life of forest areas, old stumps and murky wood need to be left on the ground, a key factor that the forest industry often chooses to ignore. It was therefore a given choice to let the red-listed organism from the surrounding area of Växjö be harboured by old stumps. The decomposing ancient trees become a hopeful and healthy base for young life and diversity to flourish.