Wall construction of hay, clay, chalk and spruce pales
20 x 2,4 m

Realised for Wij Trädgårdar, Ockelbo, Project: “Konst och Trädgård”

Play
This piece started off from a series of curved wall sketches. The specific curved form was producing the effect of a closed space but open to the surroundings. The issue of hiding and the hiding-place as a start of childrens play and imaginations were important considerations but also the idea of entrance of a mental passage in time and memory. The form also materialised the philosophical cause and effect and the mystical arrow of time.

Memory
The smell from the hay, the temporary construction (with its material) and the inner space which opened up towards the peasant landscape made me think of memories and activities that belonged to my childhood. After a period a ruin-alike shape takes form (and the hay-smell has slightly changed).

Early July: Exhibition visitors are walking into the field
photo: Yngve Gunnarsson.

Late July: After a period the ruin-alike shape takes form, photo: Arbetarbladet

Activity
Remanings from grass and some hay was left on the ground when a circle was cutout with an old fashioned scythe to enhance the effects of some activity that had been interrupted. The form open as a scene of events was suitable for creating engagement into a sudden in-the-moment activity from the public i.e. a role play or story telling. The distant placement of the wall was nessesary to make the observer go out in the field and to mentaly produce some expectations.

Press (SWE):
“Vinden har delvis raserat Tomas Nygrens vitkalkade mur av höbalar ute på fältet, men samtidigt har ruinkänslan vuxit. Verkets titel “Ingång” syftar på den smala passage som öppnar sig i höet när man kommer nära. Det finns beräkning i den rörelse besökaren måste göra för att ta sig in mellan balarna; plötsligt är man på andra sidan och muren är borta. Kanske vill konstnären visa att den enda ingång som finns leder till dig själv. Det hänger på dig vad du gör. ” Niels Hebert, Arbetarbladet

Map over the area >>>>>>>>>

Entrance imageEarly June: Front View

Early June: Front View

Early June: Rear View

 

Early June: Entrance/Door View

Early June: Myself in work with a scythe