In the ongoing exhibition at the konsthall, Leif Holmstrand is celebrated in his many different roles: artist, musician, curator, art collector, and writer. As a writer, he is now releasing the poetry collection “Community,” a book he has been working on for 25 years. At the same time, Vendels förlag is publishing a new edition of “The Life of Termites” by Maurice Maeterlinck, a work that inspired Holmstrand for both the title and theme of his exhibition. Join us for an evening of author talks, book presentations, and releases. Participants for the evening include Leif Holmstrand, Lina Rydén Reynols, Johan Jönsson, Göran Hjalmarsson, and Torill Kornfeldt. The program is in Swedish.

Leif Holmstrand as author

Leif Holmstrand made his debut in 2002 with the poetry collection “Stekelgång,” the same year he graduated from the Malmö Art Academy. Since then, he has published around forty literary works. The new poetry collection “Community” has been in the making for 25 years, and he is releasing the book under his own publishing house, Pa-Parant. During the evening, Holmstrand will engage in a conversation with his publisher Lina Rydén Reynols from Albert Bonniers förlag about his authorship.

“Community” (mostly written in Swedish) contains poems, prose poetry, and lyrical drama. The book consists of interwoven poetic texts, mostly arranged in two columns that can be read simultaneously. Many sections are built upon material from various internet communities, while others stem from ideas of the lyrically beautiful or from various kinds of urgent testimonies – both personal and from others. Grief, both individual and collective, is discussed in the borderlands of surrealism, often resembling incantations. Areas touched upon include sensual love and its darker counterpart, the body, anger, and caregiving.

Conversation about “The Life of Termites”

In a conversation with Vendels förlag, we delve into “The Life of Termites,” which has now been released in a modernised translation. What makes it worth reading and relevant enough to be placed in the hands of readers a whole century later? Publisher and editor Johan Jönsson discusses the book with Göran Hjalmarsson, who has worked on the translation, and author and science journalist Torill Kornfeldt, who has written the afterword. “The Life of Termites” is a consistent source of inspiration in Holmstrand’s exhibition, where sculptures and artworks compare the collective creation and individual characteristics of termites with human relationships.

Program:

17:00: Pre-event mingle & book signing with Leif Holmstrand
17:30–18:00: Johan Jönsson, Göran Hjalmarsson, and Torill Kornfeldt discuss the book “The Life of Termites.”
18:00–18:45: Conversation between Leif Holmstrand and Lina Rydén Reynols, publisher at Albert Bonniers förlag
18:45–19:00: Wrap-up & questions

Food & beverages

Beverages with a selection plate for the evening can be pre-ordered through Restaurant Smak. The price for a selection plate with a glass (wine/beer/non-alcoholic) and assorted snacks (vegetarian/meat) is 239 SEK and can be booked via info@restaurangsmak.se no later than Monday, March 18th.

Read more about “The Life of Termites” on Vendels förlag’s website.