Adrián Villar Rojas at the Moderna

Posted by zlatin on

Last week I attended the press showing for Moderna Museet's (modern art museum) new exhibition: "Fantasma" by Adrián Villar Rojas (April 25th to October 25th, 2015). Villar Rojas is a hot name in the art world right now, with several well publicized exhibitions recently at the High Line in NYC, Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London and the Venice Biennale. We're happy that he is now in Stockholm!

The work process for Villar Rojas when he puts up an exhibition is quite different from other artists. First of all, his exhibitions are site-specific, based on the location, space and often what is available in terms of material. A process which sometimes requires months of onsite work. Secondly, he works with a team of collaborators (artists, engineers, craftsmen, etc.), with Villar Rojas working as the "artistic director" for the group, and their individual creativity can influence the exhibitions outcome. Thirdly, he works often with organic materials. This means that most of his work isn't permanent. Or at least it changes as the material deteriorates over time.

Part of the Louise Bourgeois exhibition (until May 15th).

I found the exhibition very interesting, especially to see how Villar Rojas utilized the space and light of the Moderna Museet. "Fantasma" is just one of several spring/summer exhibitions at the museum as well as their collection which is a permanent exhibition, though always changing. Moderna is located on the island of Skeppsholmen and is relatively easy to get to from the Rival Hotel... either by taking the Djurgårds Ferry from nearby Slussen (let them know, as you board, that you wish to disembark at Skeppsholmen) or by walking, crossing the bridge that connects the island with the downtown area. The ferry trip just takes 10 minutes. Moderna also has a great gift shop and café, both worth a trip in themselves.