Artists Cecilia Parsberg and Erik Pauser, in collaboration with architects Haval Murad and David Martinez Escobar and editor and composer Johan Söderberg, have created an artwork that reflects cracks in modern society. The film-sculpture was first exhibited in central Stockholm in November 2018 before going on tour of public places in cities in Sweden and Europe. The film-sculpture has the form of a house that tilts and appears to tumble over and sink into the ground. On the underside of the House the short film A Place in Europe is shown. The film takes place in a forgotten corner of a big city, a place that has become the home of job-seeking migrants who have fallen through the net of European free movement. The narrator Thomas has for three years been sleeping under a loading bridge. Now he’s about to be evicted. He represents those who want to do the right thing: work, support their family, live a worthy life.
The film is also shown as part of the short film series RÖST (Voice) — supported by The Swedish Film Institute and The Swedish Television. Folkets Bio also distributes the film in schools and cinemas. The film shown on the sculpture is edited by Johan Söderberg who also made the music. Link to the film: http://bit.ly/aplaceineurope
The installation was first shown at Odenplan in Stockholm november 2018
Liljevalch’s press release: ”The artwork depicts in a forceful way how migration and fundamental human rights are influenced by global politics. Does a person’s destitution depend on the failure of the individual or of society? The powerful form of the work gathers its strength from the sophisticated simple architectural form and the film’s captivating documentary content. A brutal reality creates an explosive foundation for a work of art that reflects contemporary issues in society and reveals cracks its construction. It is an artwork that creates a strong impression and refuses to shy away from complex issues.
The presentations on Odenplan in Stockholm was made in cooperation with Liljevalchs Konsthall and Stockholm Konst. And the presentation outside SSE with SSE Art Initiative.
The place were Thomas has been sleeping is cleared by the city council.
For more info about the project, credit list and more please see; https://aplaceineurope.com/