Public art commission for swimming pool complex

Jönköping Municipality in Sweden is building a new swimming pool complex in the Rosenlund area, which is in the eastern part of Jönköping. It will be completed in 2029 with an estimation of over half a million visitors annually. The premises will house a variety of indoor swimming pools in different sizes for sports, diving, and leisure, including a family section with both shallower, warmer pools for younger visitors. The building will also have a gym area, café, and various meeting rooms.  

The artistic design can contribute to the identity of the new bathhouse and help create the sense that it’s been carefully designed, while also considering the human perspective. 

Based on Team Kenneth Balfelt’s report Water for Life—Bathing Without Waves, art can take on and explore themes such as the natural bath and hydrofeminism. In the report, our relationship to water is described as a human – nature relationship, where spending time near water can be compared to being in nature. 

“Being in water is more like being in the forest than on a playground or sports hall. Water is the only reason we stay in the industrial, sterile, cold environment of the bathhouse, almost naked, barefoot, and vulnerable. What then is our relationship to water? And what does that relationship do to our attraction to the pool?” - Kenneth Balfelt. 

Art in this context should be based on the concept of the natural bath – human relationship to water and give an “aha experience” while helping the visitor to find peace and harmony. The assignment is a collaboration between architecture and art. The goal of the art in the bathhouse is to appeal to all the senses: sight, touch, hearing, and the sense of smell. 

Applicants: If several people apply as a team or duo, one person has to be the main applicant.  

Application: The application to register interest in the project should contain a CV and a portfolio presenting three reference projects.  Application is sent to konst [​at​] jonkoping.se

Budget: 4 400 000 SEK / Research + sketch phase 400 000 SEK / Project: 4 000 000 SEK  

Time plan: September 2024–December 2024—research and adaptation of the material etc. In collaboration with the project. January–May 2025—planning and construction documents in collaboration with the project.

Requirements
The assignment is directed at professional artists that have previous experience working in large, complex contexts such as immersive exhibitions in art institutions and/or largescale galleries or public art projects. The artist needs to have Swedish F-skattsedel or equivalent approval of invoicing as a business in their country of residence  

Selection criteria
Artistic practice that relates to the assignment and the curatorial vision / Artistic practice demonstrating a unique and independent expression / Artistic practice that can be applied in a broader context with a potential for collaboration with other disciplines / Artistic practice with good knowledge of materials / Artistic practice with an ability to relate to scale and spatiality 

Procurement
The artist is chosen under the LOU (Swedish Public Procurement Act) through an advertised direct procurement process. The open call posted on Jönköping municipality’s website is advertised via various channels to reach national and international artists. 

Selection process  
Applicants that have registered their interest are handled by the art project manager and curator of public art in the municipality who make an initial selection based on the selection criteria. 

Seven applicants are presented to the strategic art project group, who suggest which applicant should be given a sketch assignment. 

One artist is given the assignment to produce a sketch for the project. The final decision is made by the head of the Culture and Leisure Board in Jönköping Municipality. 

Link to the Swedish announcement: https://www.jonkoping.se/fritid-kultur—natur/kultur-konst-och-upplevelser/konst-offentlig-konst/gestaltningsuppdrag/utlysningar-konstnarlig-gestaltning/konstnarer-sokes-till-gestaltningsuppdrag-for-nya-rosenlundsbadet