Cosmos et Vanitas: a solo exhibition by Ylva Snöfrid at the Swedish Institute, our photos

After having devoted exhibitions to the talented Sara-Vide Ericson, then to the trio Lars Fredrikson, Anastasia Ax and Christine Ödlund, theSwedish Institute is now opening its doors to Ylva Snöfrid. Born in 1974 in Umeå, northern Sweden, this Scandinavian artist regularly presents her astonishing work and figurative paintings in exhibitions, rituals and performances in galleries throughout Europe, the United States and Asia.

From October 15, 2024 to February 23, 2025, Ylva Snöfrid takes up residence at theSwedish Institute for her very first solo exhibition in Paris. She presents " Cosmos et Vanitas " , a surprising installation described as a " pictorial and metaphysical interweaving of cosmos, art and life by Ylva Snöfrid ".

Part of a philosophical and existential reflection on the universe and life, this free exhibition can be viewed in two rooms on the first floor of the Hôtel de Marle.

In the first room, works from the Ticino Institute Collection mingle with Ylva Snöfrid's drawings and daily thoughts, as well as her reflections on the great universal questions, revealed here in a very rich logbook kept by the artist between the winter solstice 2020 and the winter solstice 2023. A total of 1,200 drawings are arranged in three volumes, devoted to his favorite themes of birth, life and death. These imposing books, laid out on a table, can be leafed through freely. Immediately behind, 6 display cases, arranged in the shape of a rosette, showcase other drawings and quotations by the artist. Two further display cases can be discovered in the same space.

We then head for the second room to discover the central element of this exhibition. Taking the form of a spiral, this installation brings together 24 of the artist's oil paintings, one for each hour of the day. These works were created during Ylva Snöfrid's two trips to Jungfraujoch. This spot in the Swiss Alps, often referred to as the " roof of Europe ", was chosen by Ylva Snöfrid as a place of metaphysical pilgrimage. Affected by a deep-seated mountain sickness, the artist has created works that reflect her visions and hallucinations. Some of these paintings bear witness to the unease felt by the artist at certain moments. Many of the canvases are very dark, while others reveal a more spiritual character.

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To coincide with this new exhibition, theSwedish Institute is also announcing a series of public exchanges, performances and meetings, notably with curator, art historian and art critic Nicolas Bourriaud, and writer Marie Darrieussecq. The first of these performances is scheduled for October 17. On that day, Ylva Snöfrid will perform a ritual four times, exhibiting six of her paintings on the ground in the garden morning, noon, evening and night. "These four performances are a continuation of a ritual performed in the Swiss Alps, where Ylva Snöfrid arranged her paintings in a spiral on the glacier, offering them to the contemplation of the mountains and the stars," reads the Swedish Institute's website. If you're tempted by the experience, don't delay: book a free slot of your choice at 7.20am, 12pm, 7.40pm and 12am (duration 40 minutes).

If you'd like to find out more about the work of this Swedish artist, then head to theSwedish Institute from October 15, 2024 to February 23, 2025. Note that the exhibition is open free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 7pm, with late-night opening on Thursdays until 9pm.