New Småland

New Småland is the first edition of a triennial and a four-year investigation of issues about entrepreneurship, immigration and emigration. It also looks at the relationship between rural and urban. These three themes characterize both a common and a historical understanding of the region of Småland in South Sweden while also addressing several global concerns.

The project included multiple residencies, collaborations with universities and local initiatives and it culminated in a series of exhibitions over the course of a year throughout the entire region. The extensive string of exhibitions and meetings took place at: The Glass Factory, Jönköping County Museum, Konsthall Betel in Mariannelund, Kalmar konstmuseum, Kultivator on Öland, Kultivera in Tranås, The Polar Centre in Grenna, The House of Emigrants and Italienska Palatset in Växjö, Linnaeus University, The Rävemåla Residency, Vandalorum, Växjö konsthall, Virserums Konsthall, Österängens Konsthall and at other sites spread across Småland. The project was to a large extent focused on infrastructural development; so, building relationships and methodologies have only just begun. As the first edition of the Triennial, it can thus be seen as a draft for a collaborative exhibition that will take place every three years, and which focuses on and develops ways of working as much as it concentrates on organising public events.

by Jonatan Habib Engqvist curator, project manager and artisitic director of New Småland

More information about the book: http://ao-publishing.com/new-smaland/

Archive of the project: http://www.nyasmaland.se/