Program
A thoughtful humorous piece about the situation in care is an entertaining yet exploratory event by the artist Ingela Johansson with invited guests. The program is organized as part of the project exhibition On Grief, Magic Tricks, and Humor and focuses on the occurrence and use of humor in care from an artistic perspective.
Based on the exhibition, the artist sheds light on the clown as both a motif and a historical figure within healthcare and leads us into the project Art as Care, a result of the cultural politics of the 1970s. In the 70s, the idea of 'culture as democracy' prevailed, where the user is a co-creator. The motto was 'to create together,' and the artist was seen as a conversation partner in the societal building, in contrast to today's focus on individual practices.
In her assignment for Region Kronoberg, aimed at providing an artistic perspective on the planning of a new hospital building, the artist has explored humor as a healing force, healing culture, and the project Humorvagnen, which took place in Växjö in the 90s. Discussions with the Central Hospital's operations have raised questions about the existence of humor in healthcare today and what impact a changing cultural policy has on the artist's assignment in public healthcare environments, and how this ultimately affects users, staff, and relatives.
A humoresque refers to a humorous story or a comical musical performance.
The artist Anna Kinbom works with songs and texts which form the basis for her performances. At Växjö Art Hall, she picks up the guitar and performs her newly written work Humor as Glitch (2023). The glitch is a disruption or bug in digital software that causes a temporary interruption. From the perspective of art, the glitch can be seen as an opening in the otherwise prevailing, an opening that allows space for something else.
Finally, a conversation about the clown, humor, and working conditions is held between artists Ingela Johansson and Anna Kinbom, who are colleagues in both care and art. The conversation is moderated by curator Sara Rossling.
The project exhibition About Grief, Magic Tricks, and Humor showcases works and research-based projects by artists Ingela Johansson and Elin Sundström in connection with their assignment for Region Kronoberg. The exhibition is made in collaboration with ArtPlatform and curator Sara Rossling.
