“Walking Backwards (Birger’s Walk)” / Malmö Gallery Night
Julie Poitras Santos
Location: Artist Studio

Sited in a 17c ropewalk in Karlskrona, Sweden, Walking Backwards (Birger’s Walk) takes the form of a video that braids together imagery from performers in the ropewalk and the surrounding landscape of southern Sweden. The text weaves together historical descriptions collected from rope makers, ropemaking manuals, and fragments from Xavier de Maistre’s 1794 “Voyage Around my Room” amplified and enlarged by a piece of original fiction woven within the fragments to create an account of a ropewalker whose lover is lost at sea.

The Repslagarbanan (ropewalk) in Karlskrona, Sweden was built in 1692 and was in operation until 1960. It is now preserved as part of the city World Heritage Site.

Shown at Malmö Gallery Night, 18.00-24.00, Artist Studio.

Vocals and violin: Astrid Selling

Audio recording: Dan Setthamer

Slängpolska dancers: Peter Svensson, Maria Persson

Created in collaboration with:

Konst i Blekinge, AiR Blekinge, Sweden

Kulturcentrum Ronneby Konsthall, Ronneby, Sweden

Repslagarbanan, Karlskrona, Sweden

Inter Arts Center, Malmö, Sweden

 

Event dates
29 September, 18:00