• January 5, 2004
  • Posted by Marc

THE ESSENTIALS #24 - The Essentials of Stockholm by Erik Larsson

The Essentials of Stockholm by Erik Larsson


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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 href="http://www.highlights.nu">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).