Galleri Lokomotiv 9.1 - 31.1 2026
opening the 16.1 17.00 with artist talk and lichen distillation by Tarsh Bates.
papiermaché, speakers
soundpiece 15´ min long

Amongst the approximately 7,300 plants described by Carl von Linné in his classic work "Species plantarum", only 80 are lichens. The reason that Linné included so few lichens was perhaps that he considered lichens to be nature's poor mob. Today, there are around 2,100 lichen species reported from Sweden and new species are being discovered all the time. Many species have recently also been given Swedish names so that we can more easily talk about them. One of the lichens that Linné described was cochineal lichen, Lichen cocciferus (Cladonia coccifera). The Latin species epithet, cocciferus, like the Swedish name, refers to the scarlet color of the fruit bodies. The trunk consists of funnel-like growths, podetia, from the actual trunk, the primary trunk. The funnels grow up to 5 cm high and on the edge of the funnels the often richly developed, red fruit bodies are planted. These are often slightly tapered, sometimes almost like new small funnels, along the edge of the large funnel. On the outside of the funnels, and especially inside the funnels, there are often small grains.

 Helena Wikström's works seek to get down close to the ground. She digs holes, creates tunnels and goes underwater. There is a great curiosity in her art about who inhabits these places, whether they are real creatures, mythological figures or, in this case, lichens that are allowed to expand in size and, with built-in speakers, tell something for those who wish to listen.