11 July 2017
Another cool thing to do during the summer in Stockholm is to go for the guided art walk in the train stations. Stockholm has a fine piece of train system which is so easy to decipher, and you have to trust me on this because I have the worst sense of direction. There are 110 stations and 95 of them are painted or decorated with art motifs to give some life to the cold underground train stations. It is a one-hour guided art walk organised by SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) train. SL is the train service provider. Of course, there are guided art walks by other tour groups but this is free and no tipping is required.
We gathered at SL ticket office in T-Centralen Station. The art walk was carried out in English. All we have to do is ensure that we have a valid train ticket. I had the 30-day train ticket. You can also carry the single journey train ticket as the single train ticket lasts for 75 minutes as soon as it is tapped. As the guided art walk is for an hour only, we have to chase the trains and the tour guide needs to give a fast explanation. We did not go to all the train stations but those with significant art that is worth explaining about.
The walk was on the blue line. Of course, there are motifs in some of the stations on the red and green line too. I think they chose the blue line because there were less human traffic.
The walk was on the blue line. Of course, there are motifs in some of the stations on the red and green line too. I think they chose the blue line because there were less human traffic.
I am posting photos of significant art that I fancy. There are a few which we went but I do not remember the meaning behind the motif. This is what happens when you blog about it 11 months later. Haha!
This is Sundbybergs Centrum train station (pronounced as sund-bee-beh-rees cent-trum). The artistic design here will go unnoticed if one is not attentive enough. Can you see the human senses - ear, nose and mouth.
Next station - Solna Strand. Escalators in Stockholm train stations are not exactly my best friend because they move so fast and I imagined if I missed a step and roll down, and oh, I forgot to mention, the escalators are so long because it is an underground train station.
Takashi Naraha, a Japanese artist whom moved to Sweden because of black granite (as per below photo) - apparently this mineral can only be found in South Sweden - was appointed to design Solna Strand train station. He created cubes of heaven (blue skies and white cloud) in the underground station to give some cheery feeling.
Next - Stadshagen. Sports which Sweden is good in.
And lastly, the must-go train station - Kungsträdgården. Pronounced as 'kungs-tred-gor-den'. This is the most decorated train station with some old artifacts too. I always tell anyone who visits Stockholm that he or she must go to this train station to see the art here. I was in awe when I saw it for the first time and kept snapping lots of photos.
This is a neon lamp post that was used in the 18th century to light gas stations.
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