Neighbours & Citizens
Type of work: Project
In collaboration with people from Gavlehov neighbourhood and the three elementary schools:
Stora Sätraskolan, Stigslunds skola and Prolympia
Location: Gavlehov, Gävle, Sweden
Year: 2015 – ongoing
Assistant: Joakim Forsgren
Pomologist: Sylve Rolandsson
Courtesy: Author, Gävle Municipality, Gävle Konstcentrum
Photo: Joakim Forsgren, Gävle Konstcentrum, Apolonija Šušteršič
Concept: The idea is to look at the site of Gavlehov as a meeting place, not only for sports professionals and sports lovers coming from Gävle and the surroundings but to mainly see the site as a (sub)urban binding element in a growing city process. Although Gavlehov seems like woods and roads surround it, it is not located in an isolated location. Namely, it is situated in-between two relatively big neighbourhoods that are home for about 16,000 people: Sätra and Stigslund. In this project, I’m focusing on the “neighbour” concept and the role of the “citizen” using the Gavlehov ground as a meeting place.
The three neighbouring elementary schools (Stora Sätraskolan, Stigslunds skola and Prolympia) become our cooperation partner in the project. Together we have been discussing the history and the future of our society especially concerned about the just past and the future of this area. The outcome of this long process of investigation, talks, walks and workshops are re-presented within the tree final urban elements, each related to a particular local story:
- APPLE TREE ORCHARD
- SAND PIT / ICE SKATING RING
- MEETING BENCH