Earliest sign of spring in Stockholm.

Affischbild, Vårsalongen 2010 / Grafisk formgivning: Ritator / Effektmask: Love Larson

Already now in the middle of knee high snow you will find the earliest sign of Spring in Stockholm, Vårsalongen at Liljevalchs Konsthall. Vårsalongen, translated Spring Parlour, is a yearly event since 1921 stretching normally from end of January to the end of March. Liljevalchs Gallery is owned by the inhabitants of Stockholm.

SIMON ANDREWS, Lerum, f.1968 / Nameless & Forgotten / Olja på duk

In Vårsalongen 2010 you meet 245 pieces of art by 131 artists, youngest exhibitor 19 and the oldest one is 77 years old divided on 71 women and 60 men. To get the chance to exhibit in Vårsalongen you apply anonymously so your art piece is only judged by its appearance and not by any prejudices about the applicants age or gender. You apply through sending a photo of you piece allowing artists from all over the country to join. Everybody can apply- the only limit is that you have to be over 18 years of age and permanently living in Sweden.

CARL JOHAN DAMM, Karlstad, f. 1952 / Berlin Alexanderplatz – Watchtower / Akryl på duk

It is open to all techniques and genres- painting, prints, photography and sculpture among other techniques creating an explosion in the gallery. This approach creates a unique exhibition every year, there is never a red thread or a pronounced theme. Vårsalongen will always be a conglomeration of techniques, high and low, young and old, ugly and beautiful. Every year unique and a institution itself in the art world of Stockholm.

FRIDA HÅLLANDER, Hägersten, f.1981 / Eggsandwiches in a Big Pack / Lergods

The jury consists of five members all of them active in the art world as curators or commissaries including among them Mårten Castenfors head of Liljevalchs Konsthall: “To un-established artists this means a lot. Enormously many people will visit Vårsalongen and the artist sell pretty good” says Castenfors.

DAN LESTANDER, Luleå, f.1959 / Dreams and wishes / DVD, 4 min

Every piece is for sale at a price decided by the artist. Prices ranging from 65 € for a music dvd with singing dinosaurs drawn by artist Lars Hedelin, to a 1×1 meter gold icon by Anna Kalatchnik Jalpachik at 20.000 €. Except the honour to exhibit here to a large audience and maybe to actually sell your piece the artists also have the chance to be chosen to be “Choice of the Jury”, which means the opportunity to get a solo exhibition in one of the galleries represented by the jury members. That can indeed become the breakthrough for an aspiring artist.

CHARLOTTE SACHS, Stocksund, f.1939 / Objekt 101*impetigo / Olja på duk

Vårsalongen is always met by harsh critique because of its unbridled honesty, creativeness and feeling of just for fun. So why not stop the discussion of right and wrong in art, give in and truly enjoy!

Vårsalongen 2010
Date: January 29th – March 28th 2010
Open: 11:00- 17:00 (Tuesday and Thursday until 20:00) (Closed on Monday)
Entrance fee: 80/60 SEK
Place: Liljevalchs Konsthall
Address: Djurgårdsvägen 60, 115 21 Stockholm
Tel: +46 (0)8 508 31 341
info@liljevalchs.stockholm.se
http://www.liljevalchs.stockholm.se