#ARTIPELAG #INSEKTINSIKT #INSECTINSIGHT AND #FORNASETTI

I was recently in Artipelag, the museum in the Stockholm Archipelago founded by the people behind Baby Björn. We came by our own boat (they have guest mooring!) but you can get there by car, bus, boat (from Stockholm). Do not miss this spectacular place. Give it at least a day, they have a wonderful cafe and restaurant. You can have a nice walk around the place with an outdoor sculpture park.

The restrooms are stunning. Part of the foundation drilled out of the mountain.

Big parts of the building are windows and the main material concrete. Most of the time two exhibitions are running parallel. At the moment Fornasetti, Graphic Designer etc and "Insekt Insikt" (Insects Insights)work by artist and shoe designer Annika Liljedahl.

"Intresset för att arbeta med insekter väcktes när Liljedahl ärvde familjens sommarstuga på södra Öland. Varje vår när stugan öppnades för sommaren ligger insekterna i högar på golv och möbler och sopas upp. Under hela sommaren har hon sedan nya insekter omkring sig. Med åren har hon blivit fascinerad av artrikedomen och skönheten och numera följer hon insekternas överlevnadskamp och vardagssysslor. Våren 2016 började hon skapa de första verken som visas i denna utställning" (ur utställningskatalogen). The interest of working with insects was born when Liljedahl inherited the family summer house on the south side of Öland. Every spring when the cottage was opened for the season the insects were laying in heaps on the flower and on the furniture and were brushed away. During the summer she then had new insects around her. She has since got very fascinated by the enormity of species and the beauty of the insects and she know follows their fight for survival and everyday life. In Spring 2016 she started to create the first works that are shown in this exhibition. (my free translation of an extract from the exhibition catalogue). I just love this "shoe insect" in green. The whole exhibition really moved me and are shown with "music" specially created for this event and in total darkness. Do not miss it, shown until 1 September.

 

Liljedahl uses pins in some of her works.

The Italian designer, graphic designer and artist Piero Fornasetti has been honoured with a big exhibition at Artipelag this summer. I will rung until 20 January 2020! A mix of his work from graphic design to his famous plates and many other objects, furniture and art.

This suit was created by his son, Barnaba Fornasetti, who in 1982 took over an rejuvenated the company.

Part of the Artipelag building have incorporated nature.

Part of the Fornasetti exhibition "Inside Out Outside In" with a lot of everyday objects.

Some wonderful "intarsia" by Piero Fornasetti.

Patterns, rugs, fabrics for upholstery, just a glimpse of his extraordinary production.

Piero found a photograph of a famous opera singer. Her face are unusually symmetric and round and he was nearly obsessed by her face and used it in a lot of his work.

On top of the museum over looking the sea (Baggensfjärden) you can enjoy a yoga session.

The stairs up to the roof terrace are built so that you can sit an enjoy the view and the stars at night. The story is that some of Baby Björn´s associates from China (who had never seen the stars due to light pollution etc) should be able to sit her and enjoy the stars on a clear night.

Picnic tables are found around the museum and a path for short walks are to be found.

An outdoor workplace for the gardeners of Artipelag.

During the summer a temporary exhibition hall has been created. There are also concerts held her during the summer and a sculpture trail to follow. You can go there by bus and boat. Visit their website for more info www.artipelag.se

#ALICANTE - A MINI GUIDE

Alicante, easy to get to and a town with a lot of vibe. As the capital of the Alicante Provincia it holds its own. It has what you need for a week in the sun. A nice little beach in the centre of town and by taking the tram you can easily get to more lovely beaches like San Juan, El Campello etc. Or, if you are fit and want some excersise, walk...The old town for late dinings, bars and a bit of clubbing and the pier/harbour for late night partying. Or just stroll down the promenade with its waving tiles and have a coffee or a drink in one of the many bars/cafés there. A place to see and be seen. Even the nearby seaside promenades (San Juan, El Campello etc) has similar wavey pattern on the tiles.

From Alicante you can walk for hours north and visit numerous beaches on the way. Take the tram or bus back if you get tired.

A new pier has been build with decorative "palm trees" for light and shadow. Perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Why not visit the Alicante Museum of Modern Art situated in the old town. A modern building with a good but small collection. New exhibitions frequently. @cuc-museodeartecontemporaneo

Vassarely at Museo de Arte Contemporaneo.

One of the tiny alleys of the old town.

We went to Villa Joyosa where the colours on the houses are vivid and colourful. The story is that the fisherman's boats where the same as their houses...you can easily get there by the tram from the centre.

Villa Joyosa.

Old architecture meets new at the Old Town in Alicante.

Our favourite bar, Boca de Vin, in the old town. Good for tapas and drinks! And not a tourist trap (in my view).

Castello Santa Barbara. Do not miss visiting the Castle. A nice walk up from the old town.

Like a painting. View from the Castello.

More views...

Another place to visit is the white town of Altea. On of my favourite spots on the Costa Blanca, except for Alicante, is the small white town of Altea. Think Ibiza town but smaller! Lovely for dinner and late night drinks.

The "top" piazza, Altea.

The wavey pattern of Alicante in a new take...the old town.

For traditional tapas try the old town...

Street art/graffiti.... I was there a month ago and are now in the much contrasting part of the world to Alicante - Stockholm Archipelago. Soon a blog from midsummer and then a much appreciated visit to the Artipelag Museum.

St