Mats Erlandsson - Minnesmärke

Originally a commissioned work by the Non Existent Center for a month-long artist residency in St�llbergs Gruva last Summer, 'Minnesm�rke' conceptually picks up on the socio-political and economic history of the Bergslagen region where the mine is situated. After mining operations had been on-going for decades prior, in the Industrial Age iron became one of the country's largest exports, making the mining industry an integral part of the country's progression towards a socialdemocratic welfare state in the years after World War II. With the rise of neoliberalism and the simultaneous erosion of the welfare state however, the mines around the region started closing, which resulted in the surrounding community losing its relative prosperity. Erlandsson's interest in this story though does not exclusively stem from the historical significance of the mine, that has been re-opened in 2012 as a centre for cultural activities and critical thought. In fact, his grandfather was born and raised in the vicinity of it.

1) Vilja (19.08)
2) Slakt (22.03)