Kulturista - Cultural Experiences in West Sweden

C U LT U R E E X P E R I E N C E S I N W E S T S W E D E N 40 On the one hand, there is the rumble of lorries crossing the bridge overhead and the unsightly view out over the district’s oil tanks, cranes and industrial wharfs. On the other hand, there is also the western hori- zon studded with the islands of the archi- pelago and the pier along the river where boats glide gracefully by. Yes, Röda Sten Konsthall stands right at the intersection of an industrial landscape and the beauti- ful sea. The venue displays exhibitions of cont- emporary art from all genres, including pho- tography, performance art, installations, sound art and painting. For example, the gallery has previously hosted the Reverbe- rations exhibition, which adopted sound as a phenomenon as its theme and included audio and video installations, sculptures, photographs, paintings and performance. The Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art (GIBCA) is also held at Röda Sten Konsthall every second year. The old boiler house from 1940 stood abandoned and condemned for many years before its resurrection. While it remained unused, young people used to gather here, paint graffiti on the walls, play music and hold parties. The years when the site ser- ved as a haven for youth culture have left their mark down to this day, explains Mia Christersdotter Norman, Director of Röda Sten Konsthall: “The building’s past is still with us. Many galleries and museums have white walls and sterile flooring to help give them a neutral air. In our case, our visitors appre- ciate the fact that we’ve preserved the en- vironment as it once was.” The gallery’s educational activities are also evident throughout the building; a creative workshop is offered for children every Saturday and other workshops are held four times a week for youths aged 12- 26 years. Indeed, one in four visitors to Röda Sten Konsthall is under 25. “We especially enjoy welcoming young visitors. It’s they who will visit us in the future,” Christersdotter Norman says in closing. Contemporary Art at One of Gothenburg’s Most Distinctive Venues An old boiler house, way from the city centre, covered in graffiti and located directly underneath a car bridge is hardly an obvious venue for art. Still, that may be just what makes Röda Sten Konst- hall, with the gourmet restaurant Sjömagasinet and Stena Line ferries for neighbours, worth a visit. MUSEUM OF GOTHENBURG Experience Gothenburg’s history from prehistoric times to the modern age. See what a 19th-century Gothenburg home looked like and how the city has developed over time and relive the city’s pop music history from the 1950s until today. Just the museum building itself is well worth a visit. It was built by the East India Company in the 1750s and is one of the city’s oldest remaining structures. The museum also has a fun gift shop. MUSEUM OF WORLD CULTURE One of Gothenburg’s newer museums, the Museum of World Culture houses exhibitions about current global issues and encourages visitors to re-think their view of the world. To date, the museum has held workshops in Japanese embroidery, a photo exhibition examining our view of the African continent and, most recently, an exhibition about the joy and difficulty of being with others. It also has a pleasant lunch restaurant for visitors to enjoy. UNIVERSEUM Wander through a tropical rain forest among marmosets and sloths, follow waterways as they flow through the Swedish countryside, or test your reaction speed. Universeum is not a true museum, but a science centre. Visitors to Universeum learn about animals, nature and technology in fun and inspiring ways. To get the most out of your experience, we recommend setting aside a full day for your visit. The museum is especially well-suited for children. MARITIMAN A floating museum moored at the dock alongside Gothenburg’s opera house. Visitors are invited to board different vessels, including a submarine, a warship and an old lightship. Maritiman is only open to visitors during the summer months. THE GOTHENBURG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY This museum is home to a gigantic blue whale as well as other animals ranging from savannah-dwellers to birds of prey and tiny insects. Learn about how these animals live and take in exhibitions about the history of life on Earth and works of art that focus on the museum. At almost 200 years old, this is Gothenburg’s oldest museum, although it has relocated since its founding and now stands on the edge of the Slottsskogen park. Would you like to climb inside a submarine, take a journey through the history of pop music in Gothenburg, or wander through a rain forest? All you need to do is step inside one of Gothenburg’s museums.