MARI MATTSSON        


INNAN JAG KUNDE SIMMA FLÖT JAG MED VÅGORNA
2018
Installation
7 x 6 x 3 m

Satin fabric (9x1,5 m), weights (shells from childhood collection, polyester,
metal hanger), sandpaper, plexiglass with text screenprinted (400x200x3 mm), straps, wire (6,5m)


Text on plexiglass:
I collected stones. They were so soft on my skin like the caress of the ocean breeze. Polished smooth by the sea so it would lie comfortably in my childish hand.
Common sea shells, white cockle shells and abandoned molluscs’ homes, in plastic boxes that I kept in my room. After years of oblivion I finally opened the containers. An intense smell of dried algae and kelp struck me.
It didn’t disgust me. It only reminded me of salty ocean taste, wet feet in warm sand, the mysterious fields of seaweed beneath the cliffs and the cold water covering my body but still carrying me.


EXHIBITION HISTORY
I collected stones, Lidelsen festival, Nyköping, 2018
(innan jag kunde simma flöt jag med vågorna), Kungl. Konsthögskolan, Stockholm, 2018