Turning the Tide: Third Local Lab — Art, Environment, and Community at Slussen

On June 6th, in the heart of Stockholm, Turning the Tide held its third local lab as part of the the festive event “En dag på Slussen” — a grand opening of the newly redesigned Södermalmstorg and Mälartrappan. The event, organized by Stockholm City and Projekt Slussen, gathered more than 5000 visitors throughout the day, combining art, education, architecture, and environmental awareness into a vibrant public celebration. Among the highlights of the day were the works of Turning the Tide’s two Artists in Residence: Vlady and Ajja, both presenting deeply personal and thought-provoking works that engaged the public with the pressing environmental challenges facing Stockholm and Lake Mälaren.

Subtle Signs of Climate Change: Vlady’s Urban Interventions

Vlady, known for exploring the poetic and political dimensions of space, contributed with an installation that was both discreet and striking. At Södermalmstorg, a large poster showcased Vlady’s concept: a city map marking all his subtle interventions scattered across Stockholm. These ephemeral signs, placed in ordinary urban contexts, quietly reference the imperceptibility of climate change, rising waters, and the shifting boundaries between private and public space. The artist calls this practice “discreet art in the streets” — a way to leave tangible traces of his presence that often go unnoticed, mirroring how society tends to overlook the gradual but undeniable evidence of climate transformation. Visitors were invited to reflect on these small yet powerful symbols and consider their own role in the city’s changing landscape.

A Collective Journey: Ajja’s Participatory Performance

At the same time, Ajja brought a deeply personal and collaborative approach to the square. Starting her journey with a mural at Björns trädgård together with two young artists, Ajja continued along Götgatan on a cargo bike, inviting passersby to contribute to her evolving artwork. This mobile art performance turned the busy city street into a space of dialogue and creation, where community members became co-creators, sharing their thoughts, fears, and hopes about the future. The work culminated at Södermalmstorg, where Ajja completed her canvas painting inspired by the Slussen view — a nod to Stockholm’s iconic cityscape and to the artist’s own reflections on family, belonging, and the complex emotional weight of today’s environmental uncertainties.

“Allting hör ihop – everything is connected,” Ajja reflects, capturing the core of her work. From her childhood memories of Stockholm’s water systems to today’s climate anxiety, her painting bridges personal history and collective future, inviting visitors to pause and consider the interconnectedness of atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

A Day of Discovery and Reflection

Throughout the day, visitors of all ages explored the new Slussen area, learning not only about the architectural and infrastructural developments but also about the urgent environmental issues affecting the region. Through music, food, and creative activities, Turning the Tide succeeded in merging art and activism, offering accessible and meaningful entry points into discussions about Stockholm’s and Lake Mälaren’s future.

The third local lab at Södermalmstorg beautifully illustrated Turning the Tide‘s mission: to foster dialogue, awareness, and action through art. By blending personal narratives with collective engagement, VladyArt and Ajja Måleriverkstaden opened up new ways of seeing the city — as both a vulnerable ecosystem and a shared home.

Disclaimer
FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE
HOWEVER THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) ONLY AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THOSE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR CREATIVE EUROPE.
NEITHER THE EUROPEAN UNION NOR THE GRANTING AUTHORITY CAN BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM.