On behalf of Akademiska Hus, four conservators have worked for two weeks to dismantle the almost 7 x 4 meter mural by the artist Nils Nilsson, which until now has adorned a wall in the Kjellbergska building at the University Näckrosen campus. Preserving the artwork has long been the goal of Akademiska Hus and the University of Gothenburg, but it was not a matter of course that a dismantling could actually be carried out with a successful result.
"It was only when the premises were vacated in December that we had the opportunity to investigate the nature of the work and the wall and gain more clarity. The fact that Dansen has now been dismantled and that we have thus managed to save the work is very gratifying. This means that the painting will be enjoyed by many people in the future as well," says Pontus Isaksson, Property Area Manager at Akademiska Hus.
Italian method
The method that has been used is called strappo, which has also been used to move many of Pompeii's murals to the Archaeological Museum in Naples. In simple terms, the method involves gluing several layers of strips of cotton fabric over the image surface. The surface is then methodically worked with a rubber mallet that allowsthe glued decorated plaster layer piece by piece, divided into sections according to contours in the image, to detach from the underlying plaster. All parts are numbered and marked out on a drawing.
- Due to the size and weight of Dansen, it would have been impossible to move the painting from its current location to its storage location and then to its permanent location in an entire piece. Through the method that we have now chosen, the painting can be stored more compactly and easily manageable and then be able to be put together into a complete work of art again on a new surface. With a final retouching with colors that are compatible with the existing ones, the painting will look the same when it's time to put it up in its new place," says Ann-Marie Mild, painting conservator at Studio Västsvensk Konservering, VGR.
Martina Petersson and Ann-Marie Mild from Studio Västsvensk Konservering, VGR. Photo: Erik Sellgren
New location in the Konstnärliga building
In parallel with the dismantling of Dansen, work has been underway to find a new location for the work. In dialogue with the University of Gothenburg, Akademiska Hus has now decided that the painting will be mounted in one of the entrances created in the new building for the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts. The entrance will have glass sections facing Johannebergsgatan, which means that the work will hang in a more public and accessible place than it has had so far in a dance hall in Kjellbergska, a building that is now being demolished to be able to realize the faculty's new building.
" From the university's and faculty's side, we are relieved and happy that AKademiska Hus has been able to preserve Dansen, and also been able to place the work in the faculty's new building. For us, it is important that Nils Nilsson's work becomes more accessible to the public when Konstnärliga opens in 2027," says Henric Benesch, acting dean of the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts.
The artwork will be taken down in numbered sections to be stored while waiting for placement in the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts' new building. Photo: Erik Sellgren
About Artistic
Akademiska Hus is investing approximately SEK 1.9 billion in the new building, which will enable the University of Gothenburg to bring together the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts midway between Götaplatsen and Korsvägen, an important part of the development of the Näckrosen University campus and the meeting place for the humanities. art and culture that is created there.
In the new building, the faculty's two departments, the Academy of Art and Design (HDK-Valand) and the Academy of Music and Drama, can move together. The building will be home to students, researchers and teachers in all artistic subjects, which creates greater opportunities for students and researchers from different disciplines to interact and new collaborations in the artistic subjects can emerge.
The investment consists of a reconstruction of part of the existing Artisten and an extension with two new buildings on six floors. The collective name for the building will be Konstnärliga. The environments will include workshops, multi-purpose halls, dance halls, concert halls, theatres, galleries, studios, music rooms, studios, offices, cafés and restaurants.
The premises will have a flexible design so that they can be changed according to the university's future needs, while the co-location in the new building means that the faculty's need for rented premises will be reduced by 25 per cent compared to the space they rent today.
The project also includes an entrance from Västlänken station Korsvägen with retail premises with adapted service offerings. The stairwell will be integrated into the new extension and will be located at the corner of Johannebergsgatan and Olof Wijksgatan. The location has been developed in close collaboration with the City of Gothenburg and with the aim of minimizing changes in the urban environment. With the increase, the building and the university will open up further to the city, throughput and street life on the surrounding streets will increase and the opportunity for sustainable travel to and from campus will be improved.
The renovation and extension started in February 2023. The Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts' occupancy is planned to begin in a first phase in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
Pontus Isaksson
Fastighetsområdeschef