Ralph Erskine in the North

Ralph Erskine was a prominent figure in Swedish architecture, and perhaps Sweden's best-known architect internationally. In the Shopping mall in Luleå, the exhibition about his life and work, and the architectural imprint he left behind, based on our part of Sweden, is shown.

The exhibition consists of four stations designed as writing desks and inspired by an office piece of furniture Erskine designed for Pågens bakery in 1960. The stations present stories and history of some specific buildings in Norrbotten and Västerbotten that Erskine designed:

• The neighborhood Ortdrivaren in Kiruna. In the vernacular, the houses were called "Snusbox", "Mullbänken" and "Spottkoppen".
• The Bergsmannen "Ormen Långe" apartment building in Svappavaara
• The Shopping department store in Luleå
• Avasjö chapel and hotel Borgafjäll in Västerbotten

The buildings are presented with short films, texts and photos.

Erskine's entire life and deeds are summarized on "timeline boards", where buildings throughout Sweden and abroad are highlighted. On the back of the boards are various quotes about and by Erskine, for example:

“God created not only the swift, shapely gazelle, but also the pig. Just like the pig, slightly clumsy and thick buildings can be beautiful as long as they get a grunt at the end".

The exhibition is designed by Björn Ed and produced by Norrbotten's museum.

The exhibition in the Shopping mall is shown in collaboration with Slöjd och formcenter.