"Fika with Aliens"

Permanent public commission for Vadstena skulpturpark | 2019

Hand forged steel, modified machine parts and stone

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Fika with Aliens is an interactive sculpture created for Vadstena Sculpture Park in 2019. Approximately 3 meters high and wide, the piece spans a total area of around 28 square meters. Built from repurposed agricultural machinery and set on a sandstone foundation, the sculpture is weather-resistant, durable, and designed to be wheelchair accessible.

The work is conceived as a social meeting point, inviting visitors to “fika” with three machine-like alien figures. Through cranks and levers, participants can animate the sculpture in various ways. For instance making the tallest alien bend down to serve a cup of coffee or, with a crank, make the seated aliens head move in a nodding, conversational gesture like it would in a conversation.

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The sculpture reflects the values of openness and inclusion. It draws on the Swedish fika tradition as a symbol of hospitality and acceptance—creating a space for connection, even between

beings who seem to have very little in common.

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"Fika with Aliens" was financed by grants from The European Union, Leader Folkungaland,

Vadstena Sparbank and Folkuniversitetet 

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For commission inquiries, please contact the artist.