Ghosts, giants and trolls. Nymphs, lantern-carrying spirits, werewolves, and witches. The region of Halland, southwest on the Swedish westcoast has a history filled with old stories, myths, and legends about supernatural creatures and phenomena, and the county of Kungsbacka is no exception. These are narratives and testimonies that have been passed down for generations and become part of a cultural-historical heritage. In the old farming society, nature’s beings were a living element of everyday life and gave expression to fears, cares, and moral dilemmas. The sea, lakes, and the deep forests were portals to that which could not be controlled – a border between the everyday life and the supernatural, where humans were only temporary visitors of whom respect and reverence were demanded. In the twilight hour, the unthinkable became possible.
In a time characterised by advanced weaponry, ‘fake news’, conspiracy theories, extreme weather, selfies, screens – speed and affect – ensouled nature, the spiritual and magical world seems to have taken on new meaning that tempts our fantasies and needs in the search for our inner selves. Global mobilisation in the face of environmental and climatic threats, along with a growing longing for a life in harmony with nature, have meant that the forest and its inhabitants’ mystique, knowledge, and power have become a sought-after refuge – far from the din of city life. Mythological and magical beings’ re-emerging presence crosses the boundaries of reality’s possibilities and points toward new queer worlds in which gender roles, perceptions of good and evil, beautiful and ugly, and us and Others stand to be dissolved.
With the artistic residency Forgotten Realms, Art Inside Out will invite two artists to Tjolöholm Castle to explore the irrational, fantastic and magical in our lives through various forms of artistic investigation over 8 weeks.
Submissions from international artists in an interdisciplinary field of contemporary artistic production are welcome. The residency schedule is as follows: research 11–24 March 2024, production 15 May – 23 June 2024. The artworks created during the residency will be presented in an exhibition at Tjolöholm Castle, opening by mid June 2024.
Each residency artist will receive a fee of 100,000 SEK (~8600 EUR) for an 8-week long residency and a have access to a production budget of approximately 50,000 SEK (~4300 EUR). There is also an additional budget for installation and other exhibition related costs available. Art Inside Out covers associated costs such as travel, housing, workspaces and process management.
