Jonas Dahlberg: Guest Professor of unique programme focused on art in the public realm

Kungl. Konsthögskolan/Royal Institute of Art and the Public Art Agency Sweden are developing a ground-breaking venture through initiating a collaboration spanning several years. The collaboration will include amongst other things, a new one-year course for professional artists and architects. The ambition is to explore the borderland between art in the public realm and architecture. The course will start in the autumn 2019 and will be led by artist and Guest Professor Jonas Dahlberg, Royal Institute of Art.

Jonas Dahlberg’s practice is situated at the intersection of art, architecture, the private and the political. His diverse works include video installations, photography, scenography and publications, as well as projects closer to architecture. During recent years he has become most known for his winning proposal for the memorial sites to honour the victims of the terrorist attack in Oslo and Utøya, Norway, in 2011.

Jonas Dahlberg comments: “At a time when public spaces, and the conversations that take place within them are under large changes, it’s an honour to be invited by the Royal Institute of Art to be a part of creating and running this course through which we can jointly attempt to develop as good conditions as possible for art taking its role in these conversations.”

Sara Arrhenius, Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Institute of Art, considers the course to form an important strategic step for the school. Since taking up her appointment as Vice-Chancellor, she has urged for the school to be in conversation with other cultural institutions as well as society at large: “Now we will create new knowledge within the important sphere of public art and give opportunities for artists to become active and influence processes that shape our society. Furthermore, it is incredibly exciting that Jonas Dahlberg, with his unique practice and relevant experiences, has accepted to become our first Guest Professor in the field of art in the public realm!”

Magdalena Malm, Director of the Public Art Agency Sweden, particularly points to the evolvements that have been made within the field of public art: expanded sculptural practices approach architecture, and socially engaged projects challenge the role of art in city planning developments. She envisages how this newly developed course will open up a space for exploring the intersection of art and architecture: “It is truly enjoyable that Jonas Dahlberg will lead this course. His practice combines art and architecture and he has a unique experience of negotiating artistic values in relation to decisive societal changes.”