NEWS A sure sign of spring is that the Umeå University Arts Campus is coming alive with degree exhibitions and events at Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Insitute of Design, Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, UmArts and Bildmuseet. Starting on 10 May, a mix of architecture, art and design is on offer with events and exhibitions. Most of them are open to the public, while some are aimed more at the industry, but what they all have in common is that they are of a high standard and well worth a visit.
Umeå School of Architecture and the other schools on the Arts Campus invite you to this year's graduation exhibitions - a creative celebration for the whole of Umeå.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson.
"I look forward to attending as many exhibitions and events as I can and really encourage everyone to take part in as many as possible. I have always been fascinated by how the entire Arts Campus breathes creativity and artistry and since I took over as Vice-Chancellor, I have also realised that the programmes are of the highest quality, which is not least demonstrated by the School of Design, which year after year ends up at the top of the world rankings. Don't miss out on this," says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
First up this year is the Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition at Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, which opens on 10 May at 13.00 with Studentkören followed by performances by some of the students and works around the Arts Campus and inside UmArts. The Bachelor's exhibition is titled Reflektor and is open until 26 May. You can read more about it here on the School's website. Two of the students' works can be found at UmArts, which also has several events of its own in May and June, please check the UmArts website for all the information.
A definite artistic highlight is, of course, the exhibition of students from the two-year Master's programme - the highest level of education in fine art - at the Bildmuseet. The title of the exhibition, Infinite Proposals, refers to the artistic process, from idea to creation and placement in the world. Infinite Proposals presents works by more than a dozen students and is curated by artist Annika Eriksson, a professor at Umeå Academy of Fine Arts and the students’ principal supervisor. Read more about the exhibition on Bildmuseet's website.
Infinite Proposals and the evocative exhibition on one of Cuba's most prominent and exciting artists Belkis Ayón (1967-1999) opens with a customary Art Friday on 23 May, read more on Bildmuseet's website.
Brita Täljedal, museum curator at Bildmuseet. Photo: Polly Yassin, Bildmuseet.
"We are so proud to show Belkis Ayón's monumental works inspired by the Abakuá, a secret Afro-Cuban brotherhood that she explored throughout her artistic career. In her interpretations of their myths, she speaks of belonging, silence, power and resistance, and introduces ideas about the fusion of religions and belief systems. ‘Ayón's iconic works form their own universe of traditions, hierarchies and worldviews and we will offer several lectures around the exhibition later this year," says museum curator Brita Täljedal, one of three curators.
Umeå School of Architecture and the Umeå Insitute of Design will open their final exhibitions to the public in early June. Umeå School of Architecture's final exhibition on 4-7 June will showcase students' work from the five-year architecture programme, but will include projects from the School of Architecture's eight different design studios. Read more on the School of Architecture website.
Umeå Insitute of Design's Design Talks & Degree Show - UID25 is now an important institution in the global design industry and is broadcast live for those who are not specially invited. However, on 4 June between 13:00-17:00, the entire exhibition inside the Umeå Institute of Design will be open to the public. Visit Umeå Insitute of Design's collection page and marvel at all the exciting student projects by students from all over the world and, as mentioned, feel free to take part in the open live broadcast of UID25.
Demian Horst, Head of Umeå Institute of Design. Photo: Hans Karlsson.
"UID25 emphasises the strong values we have around collaboration, people and our planet. Visitors will have the chance to see our students' innovative work that pushes the boundaries of creativity and imagination. The event reflects our globally diverse student body and the school's commitment to creativity grounded in social responsibility," explains Demian Horst, Head of Umeå Institute of Design.