At Alma Löv, Nature and Art Grow in Harmony

After a year of closure, the Värmland-based Alma Löv museum has reopened, presenting a revitalized space where nature and art intertwine. The museum, known for its artistic freedom and idealistic engagement since its founding in 1998, has undergone significant development.

The grounds have been enhanced with extensive plantings to boost biodiversity, a project undertaken in collaboration with a gardener and a botanist. A previously overgrown stream has been uncovered, and a series of ponds with a fountain, designed by KTH architecture students, have been added. While the "Fontana di Värmland," featuring a fountain made from recycled bicycle tires, was not operational due to water scarcity during the visit, the overall impression is one of nature being given greater prominence in the wilder museum environment.

New artworks complement the natural setting. Gunilla Bandolin's "Klyftan," a semicircular sculpture of 3,000 bricks resembling an amphitheater, now stands on a grassy slope, inviting visitors to sit and climb. Nearby, Ingalena Klenell's "Träden" is showcased in a new glass pavilion, presenting three preserved birch trees in glass that shimmer like ice sculptures.

These pieces are part of the summer exhibition "What resonates between us," which includes paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, and video works by 13 artists. The works are spread across the outdoor areas, including small pavilions in the meadows and woods, as well as inside the main building, Paleis Oranjestraat. This renovated old barn, spread over three floors, now functions as a labyrinth of diverse rooms, blending new and existing permanent pieces throughout the museum area. The museum also has a satellite operation at Köpmangården in Sunne.