« Happy New Year From
January 5, 2004
THE ESSENTIALS #24 - The Essentials of Stockholm by Erik Larsson
The Essentials of Stockholm by Erik Larsson
There are no such things as polar bears harassing the people in Stockholm. And NO, Eskimos do not come from here.
There is one thing that is for sure, Stockholm is hell on earth during the winter. As I look out through my window, snow is laying the deep and the temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius. When I tried to post some shit in the early morning yesterday, I had problems sticking it because of the thin layer of ice on the wall I had chosen for my action. So my first essential for Stockholm is DO NOT COME HERE DURING WINTERTIME.
During the summer Stockholm is a perfect city for street actions. It's hot all through the night and the sun never goes down. After done pasting, I always run down to the water for a swim to get rid of dust and sweat before I jump on to my bike and return home. A great thing is the water that surrounds Stockholm you can jump in anywhere without being afraid of poison or sharks (since it's sweet water) troubling you.
Tasty, simple and cheap food (if you don't prefer McDonalds) can sometimes be hard to find. But these are my tips if you're hooked on the India kitchen:
Govinda is a vegetarian restaurant at Fridhemsgatan 22 next to Fridhemsplan subway station. This place is actually run by Hare Krishna so watching all the weird people at this place gives an extra thrill apart from the food that is superb. Of curse no alcohol is served here. If you don't dig vegetables as much as I do, or if you're just afraid of the local church brainwashing you, try Happy India at St. Paulsgatan 35 A. If you're not digging the India kitchen, be sure to visit Bla Porten at Djurgardsvagen 64, maybe to combine with a visit at the Liljevalchs museum? Best food on earth, lamb meatballs mmmm..
To find art you should visit the place under St. Eriksbron (bro - bridge) near St. Eriksplan subway station. This is below the subway tracks and next to the long distance train tracks. The spot is actually next to the headquarters of SAPO, the special police in Sweden, but nobody cares if you post or even spray something down here. The exhibit changes every time you visit and I always find new stuff going there. The Akay Temple is a big cave/tunnel system below Slussen subway station which you reach by going in from behind the station building. This can be hard to find but with a little help from some local writer there shouldn't be any problem. The place got its name from Akayism and Bacteria who put up tons of art down there. And now it's turned into a place where every artist has at least put up something. Flashlight required. For more traditional art visit Liljevalchs at Djurgarden, Djurgardsvagen 60. The best time to see alternative art here is during the spring, where there is a big show featuring both famous artists and art students selling their work, its fantastic.
For writers equipment check Highlights at Ostgotagatan 16, subway station Medborgarplatsen.
My favourite in Stockholm has for the last years been ICS, a really tiny streetwear store at Wollmaryxkullsgatan around the corner from Mariatorget subway station. The place is run by a friend of mine. This is the perfect place to get further tips on the city, chill, listen to good music, sketch or just by extremely cool and original streeetwear to amaze your friends with. If often chill here for a little while before going home (I live in the suburbs 20 minutes from the inner city) after a hard day at my art school (that is really close).
Posted by marc at 7:12 AM in City Guides | Recommend this! (2) |
|