Art never exists in a bubble, cut off from the ‘real world’, and Ringen are going to great lengths to prove it over the next two weeks. Together with Tictail and the agency Tillsammans, they’re opening up to several artists and allowing them to use Ringen as a studio space. A variety of artists have been booked in to set up their studio in Ringen and work on pieces as people mill around and spend their day shopping, opening a door to the creative process for anyone passing by in Ringen. Visitors can then buy the art the artists produce on-site in Ringen, or later after the entire project has finished on Tictail. Anna Jakobsson says of the project: “We at Ringen centrum love Christmas, and we look forward to welcoming all the visitors who visit to buy their Christmas presents. This year we wanted to add a little something extra. We want to give culture a bigger place in Christmas shopping. The first artists (to participate) have had an unbelievably good response, and I look forward to the coming days and more inspiring artworks”. The project has been running since December 8, with Peytil and ArtbyOKOK the artists having already participated, and we popped in to see it for ourselves and chat to Tillsammans’ Viktor Sundbaum and the current artist-in-residence, painter Magda Lundberg.

So where did the original idea for this whole thing come from?

Viktor: It came from a colleague of mine, who thought that it was difficult to find art that’s affordable and unique. So we looked at our contacts and checked to see if we knew any interesting artists we could host here. It came so fast, so now we have everything set up and we have filmed a portrait film for each artist. I’m so up in it, so it’s hard to reflect now. But the idea was affordable, unique art for everybody, for good prices.

Magda, when did you find out you had the chance to be a part of this project?

Magda: It was about two months ago that I was contacted by the PR agency Tillsammans, who are the ones arranging this cooperation with Ringen and Tictail.

And what did you think when they said they wanted you to work here, right in the heart of Ringen?

Magda: I’ve done stuff a that’s bit similar before, though not as crowded as this, I’ve done live painting sessions and stuff. You never know what to expect, because [what it feels like] can depend on whether you’re having a shitty day [on the day you’re working in public], and you can’t know that two months in advance. But I think it’s been very fun, and this is such an alive place, so it’s just been positive vibes.

Have you had much interest in your working here from passers-by?

Magda: Most people are interested in what kind of paint I’m using, y’know, ‘Is that acrylics, is that blah blah?’, so on. I’ve only been here for two hours, but during the time I’ve been here the questions have been usually the same. Some lady said ‘Oh, I don’t like those colours, I like black and more rustic colours’. So I just said ‘Oh, okay’. But mostly people have been nice and interested, and it seems like they think it’s a good initiative.

What would you say have been the main differences in working in your normal studio, and then working in an open, public environment like this?

Magda: It’s so different. But I think it’s good. The pressure [of working in public] is good, as long as it doesn’t consume you. I tend to get lazy when I’m in my private art space, and it’s easy to just slack around. The pressure is good, but we’ll see how I feel about that in three days! Maybe I’ll hate it and cancel everything, haha! No, it’s been fine.

Do you think the different environment has an effect in the art you’re making?

Magda: Yeah, I think so. As I said, I’ve only been here for two hours, but it feels like I’m more cocky here, and not playing it as safe. The process [of creating] is so slow, and if I was working with my usual process it would be so boring for the three day period. I think I’m taking more risks [here], because I can always thrash these paintings if I don’t like them. But when you work at home, you go for the secure because you don’t have the same incentive to go outside your box that much.

So what have you been working on here? These are watercolours right?

Magda: They’re water-soluble wall colours most of them, but some are water-soluble acrylics. I also use markers or acrylic pens, just whatever I can get my hands on really.

Cool, and why do you think art makes a good Christmas present?

Magda: I don’t think anyone regrets buying art, and I don’t think art is something people usually get as a Christmas gift, as people tend to think art has to be expensive. It’s a good gift, as it makes art more easily accessible, spreads it around.

Viktor: It’s always good to fill your walls with stuff, so that it doesn’t look so pale and minimalistic, so spartan. You should always fill your walls with colour and beautiful paintings, that’s just my opinion.

Magda Lundberg is working at Ringen until Dec 15. Linda Jäderberg will work there between Dec 16-17 and Eplet between Dec 18-19. All atwork is available to purchase on Tictail via ringencentrum.se

All Photos: Austin Maloney