"Astral forests": our photos from the free exhibition at the Swedish Institute in Paris

Are you a fan of Swedish culture? TheSwedish Institute in Paris invites you to join us from September 6 to 22, 2024, for a unique artistic experience. For 17 days only, come and discover"Forêts astrales", an exhibition combining design, contemporary art and traditional crafts, to be seen during Paris Design Week.

To be admired in several areas of the Scandinavian cultural venue, this small, free collective exhibition was conceived by five Swedish artists.

The Swedish Institute in Paris: Sweden's only cultural center abroad
For a trip to Scandinavia without even leaving the capital, head for the Swedish Institute! Housed in the sublime Hôtel de Marle since 1971, the Nordic cultural center offers a rich and varied program of events all year round, showcasing art, music, design and cinema straight from Sweden. [Read more]

Together, they have imagined and created some thirty art and design objects. What do they have in common? These works are inspired by Swedish nature and tradition, without neglecting contemporary technologies. They combine natural materials with ancestral shapes and motifs, from hand-sewn textile figurines to incredible, sublime sculptures in coloured lichen and glass.

Behind these creations, described as durable and playful, is award-winning textile artist Malin Bobeck Tadaa. Known for her works that are both visual and tactile, Malin Bobeck Tadaa unveils a total of 7 creations from her"Andetag" (" breathing ") series for " Astral Forests ". All are made from custom-woven fiber optic textiles, a wooden frame, LED lamps and a microcontroller. As a result, they light up to the rhythm of breathing. To take the creative process a step further, each piece is synchronized with all the others, while the rhythm and flow of breathing change according to an algorithm based on the movement of the solar system.

Five of Malin Bobeck Tadaa 's works are installed on the staircase leading to the second floor of the Hôtel de Marle. The other two can be admired in a small room just to the left of the entrance. Inside, on a long table, we also discover the creations of curator and artist Aia Jüdes and designer Louise Hederström.

The first was inspired by birch, willow and alder burls to create"The Return of the Burls ", wooden boxes and cones in turned, stained and lacquered birch. Because each burl has a unique shape, carving and sanding a bowl can take over a hundred hours of work!

Louise Hederström presents"Lichen Leftovers": surprising wall mirrors and sublime sculptures made from recycled materials such as stained lichen and scrap wood.

The various creations by Aia Jüdes, Louise Hederström and Malin Bobeck Tadaa create a harmonious, luminous and striking blend of art, design and craftsmanship.

Another Swedish artist taking part in this group show? Glass artist Hanna Hansdotter, who unveils 8 pink glass sculptures on the first floor of the Hôtel de Marle, followed by her"feuilles matelassées" (quilted leaves) upstairs, two works with a punk and baroque style.

Finally, textile artist Emilia Sundqvist surprises us with her hand-sewn, wall-hung figurines. Taking the form of birds, they explore the doubts and demands of adulthood, with a touch of humor!

• To be read
• Les Traversées du Marais 2024: 40 free cultural events at 27 iconic sites
• Paris Design Week 2024: crazy installations by Uchronia and Pierre Renart at Hôtel de la Marine
• Paris Design Week 2024: Paul Cocksedge's mirror installation at Hôtel de Sully

To coincide with the " Astral Forests " exhibition, the cobbled courtyard of theSwedish Institute is also home to a"Sommarkiosk". As anyone who has ever visited Sweden will know, these are typical Swedish red huts. This is an opportunity to admire them while enjoying drinks and delicacies from the FIKA café.

So, would you like to discover the free group exhibition " Astral Forests " this autumn? Visit theSwedish Institute from September 6 to 22, 2024 to admire the works of these 5 talented Scandinavian artists!

Part of the Hôtel de Marle - home to the Swedish Institute - is currently undergoing renovation. The work is due to continue until the end of the year. The aim is to"restore the auditorium to its original splendor and transform it into an exhibition hall. The potential surface area for future exhibitions will thus be doubled", the website explains. We're telling you, theSwedish Institute has some surprisesin store for you over the coming months, including installations dedicated to Ylva Snöfrid and Barbro Östlihn.