edition 3:

"37 Degrees Darkness"

This year, a little light shimmers on the pandemic horizon and we dare to choose colour to cautiously return to the celebration of life: Warmth, renewal, and gathering are the overarching themes for 2022.

"Fluxit"

LED light installation by Vendel & de Wolf – The Netherlands

Location: City Park

The renowned artist duo Vendel & Wolf have worked together for several years. Their installations are based on how natural phenomena relate to the (in)visible, and to time. Every work they create is an adventure. In the city, there is a growing need to gather. In many cultures, the building of a fire plays a central role in creating connections: to celebrate, to mark a moment of change or initiation, or to ward off evil spirits. To burn the past and welcome the future, or just to gather around and warm oneself!

"Artificial Truth"

Light sculpture by Merijn Bolink – The Netherlands

2 locations: Hamngatan 5

Köpmangatan 3

Merijn Bolink is a poet, alchemist, and IT specialist all in one. He discovers and creates hybrid objects: crossings between nature and virtual reality. The resulting sculptures often reflect on the context of the original object. "I try to reveal the soul of the objects," as he says himself. This matchbox figure has been created entirely from a computer model. By doing so, he examines his own role as a visual artist in a world that is steadily moving towards a complete digital reality.

Merijn Bolink is represented at Arvika Light! with 2 works in 2 separate locations. The works are, however, strongly related. "Artificial Matchbox" is a miniature sculpture of a glowing matchbox lying on an old newspaper. The matchbox is completely recalculated and randomly changed by an Artificial Intelligence app. By using modern digital techniques, he examines his own role as an artist in the world today. At the same time, the newspaper points to the constant movement of the present into the past.

”Dove, Hope”

Gobo projection by Ainu Palmu – Finland

Location: Hamngatan 11

In Ainu Palmu's "Hope," six images tremble over each other in sequence. The bird is both its own image and its own shadow. Hope exists in the tender yet violent moment when change is no longer a choice. When you are forced to embrace the world's inevitability and need for action.

Ainu Palmu's artistry unites the worlds of light art and light design. In her work, she seeks equality, respect, and empathy, in relation to human society and the wider biosphere.

"The Car Show"

LED light installation by Anne Roininen – Finland

3 locations: – Parking Fabrikssgatan / Hamngatan
– Kyrkogatan 35
– Järnvägstationen

Our relationship with cars is constantly changing. Regarding ecology and how we use cities, cars have gone from a symbol of luxury to objects that divide opinions. By transforming the cars into light sculptures, Roininen conjures up mechanical ghosts that seem abandoned, lost, and from another time.

Anne Roininen creates conceptual, socially charged, spatial artworks using a variety of techniques, ranging from sculpture to dialogue. She is fascinated by everyday phenomena and explores the urban world, garden cities, and the nature of objects.

"Whispering Sense"

Video projection by Linnéa Norberg – Sweden

Location: Storgatan 32

Linnéa Norberg's complex and immersive video work arises intuitively during the creation and process. Through abstract "floating" movements, she aims to challenge space and distort time. She is inspired by human existence and its complex nature. "I want to create a space that can touch different dimensions of our inner world, such as philosophical and anthroposophical questions. What does it mean to be human?"

"I love me"

Neon sign and performance by Felice Hapetzeder – Sweden

Location: Arvika Square

The success stories and body ideals conveyed primarily in social media have created voids of
loneliness and feelings of inferiority. "I love me" wants to gently stroke our cheek, saying it's okay to be you. Try saying it.
Felice Hapetzeders media are video art, installation, performance, and photography. Much of his work can be read as an expression of a marginal voice, an independent channel outside the dominant narratives.

"Individual Anarchy"

Light sculpture by Lin de Mol – The Netherlands

Location: Intersection Storgatan / Magasinsgatan

A pair of sneakers are simply thrown over an electrical cable. This typical "urban phenomenon" represents a symbol of personal anarchy and an expression of individual freedom, says Lin de Mol: "A playful gesture combined with a willingness to be vulnerable: Throwing away your shoes also means walking barefoot afterwards."

Lin de Mol is a multimedia artist who works with sculpture, photography, and light. She was born and educated in Amsterdam at the Rietveld Academy and Rijksakademie and has lived in Värmland since 2014.

"Changing Patterns"

Video projection by Julia Rio and Björn Assedahl

Location: Storgatan 22B

Julia Riordan is a mural and textile artist who primarily works in the public space. Björn Assedahl is a freelance animator and illustrator. Together, the artist duo has collaborated on several murals and this time via animations, where Julia's abstract and playful imagery is interpreted by Björn. In this work, they want to spread hope, warmth, and color in the public space.