When you go to an exhibition opening here we like to think that you will both enjoy yourself and have time to appreciate the work on display. This is not, however, Ulrika's recent experience in Sweden, as she outlines in her second contribution to The Line Monoblog below....
An unexpected exhibition
"The gallery was packed but with a little goodwill there was a space left for the pram as well. What a difference from the windy and snowy conditions outside. Heads bobbing in the crowd and laughter all around us.
Now where was the art?
We had been promised paintings inspired by the sea.
-CANAPES?
A woman held up a full plate in front of us.
We nodded and smiled.
At our question to whatever delicious food was presented. She quickly took a bite off all the different varieties and with her mouth full proceeded to explain what they were.
-I HAVE ACTUALLY MADE THEM ALL MYSELF!
We nodded and smiled.
Now then, the art...
A voice rose from behind her:
-Now I recall what the name is... Tapenade.
-NO, MY NAME IS ---, she answered the man back.
-I meant the olive mix on the flatbread, he shouted over the crowd.
The woman did not seem to have heard him.
She turned to us and continued:
- MY MOTHER USED TO WORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY: REST ASSURED I HAVE WASHED MY HANDS THOROUGHLY.
We nodded and smiled and tried to get closer to the pictures hanging on the walls.
-A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE?
There she was again. Before we had time to answer she was wondering where she had put her own glass and she disappeared into the sea of heads with the tray.
We smiled and made another try to see some art.
-WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD YOU HAVE!
The woman pressed down her face into the pram.
-IS SHE FOR SALE?
We smiled and politely declined the offer of an ever decreasing sum of money for our daughter.
We tried to concentrate on the art. There were paintings of lonely beaches, sea and bare cliffs. Serene and calming...
-DID I GIVE YOU SOME CHAMPAGNE?
Sea, red cliffs in the sunset, seabirds...
-WELL?
Boathouses, stones against stones...
-LOOK AT THAT I HAVE TWO GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
We smiled and had no answers at hand.
Calm waters, unsettled waters, deep blue...
The art on the walls would have taken our breath away if the woman had not done that already."
