Satans Demokrati

SUMMARY

It started with a phone call referring to Sleep No More in New York, which some of us had been lucky to have visited. Py Huss-Wallin and Jimmy Meurling asked if we would be interested to participate in this immersive theater project that was to be groundbreaking in Stockholm with its format. Entering an abandoned building, having 3500 m² to create arts within, we started as Set-designers but quickly transformed into Curator and co-created with more than 1000 people, probably one of Swedens so far most including and successful immersive project. Satans democracy turned into a 4-year ever changing creative experience, resulting in three different plays (Satans trilogy) and a platform for artists and creatives (LVL4).

Photocred:

MAGNUS SWÄRD

KLARA G

ROLES

PRODUCTION
CURATION
ART DIRECTION

DESIGN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ART

CHALLENGE

Coming into a huge house with a passionate crazy project where the sky's the limit and the budget way too small, is a challenge from start. In many ways, being a small art collective, setting out to do innovative and “new” art trying to get funding from the state and cultural administrations, it's not any easier as we were not fitting into any existing format. Also, the gentrification process was constantly present, we were fully aware of our role in the bigger picture and plans for the area. Only having our cultural capital that was easily exploited but anybody yet never near to fully paid for.

INSIGHTS

Curation based on mapping out participants of the community's “Needs”, “Dreams” and “Preconditions” is key for participatory culture. It is fully functional for any individual, as well as any organization and creates bridges between them all. Mapping these passionate synergies will direct the spotlight to the most important factors and become the foundation of the curation towards the common goal. Also, constantly reaching back to no-sayers and closed doors, re-reaching out the hand will trifold results back in return, so it's important to create a culture of being open to "change of mind" and new directions. Planning is key. Leaving intentional blank spots for what is to come, yet still known as the the unknown, comes out as the most important key time after time.