Exhibitions & projects
The public space is becoming increasingly dense and commercialized. It is often designed for the adult portion of the population. Children are relegated to hardened surfaces and regulated playgrounds. Wilderness, the untouched nature where one can independently discover, play, learn, and create – where is it?
In the project "Kojan", Österängens Konsthall, together with four artists and artist collectives and children aged 4-12 years, is looking for new solutions and answers on how spaces for children can be designed and used, and thereby also new methods for how these can be created. The artists who have worked on the project are Robin Tidblom & Ruben Wätte, the artist duo aghili/karlsson, Hillevi Cecilia Högström, and Lekkontoret. The artistic process, in which children from Österängsskolan's after-school program, the youth center Birka, and the preschool HallonEtt in Huskvarna have participated, has been ongoing throughout the spring. Now, four designed cabins are complete, three in Österängen and the fourth in Huskvarna Folkets Park.
The project is researched by Maria Hammarsten, fil. lic. and university lecturer in pedagogy at the School of Education and Communication in Jönköping.
The cabins are showcased in guided art walks in Österängen every Friday during the summer. You can also pick up a map at Österängens konsthall and walk around on your own.
Kojan is operated by Österängens konsthall and Konstfrämjandet and is funded by the Swedish Arts Council. The project collaborates with Huskvarna Folkets Park, Jönköping University, Biosphere Area Östra Vätterbranterna, Music and Theatre Friends Riksteatern Jönköping, preschool HallonEtt, the youth center Birka, and the after-school programs at Österängsskolan.
