PLACES / ARTIPELAG STOCKHOLM

Here is a wonderful place to add to your visit-list if you are heading to Stockholm. Artipelag, a modern art hall surrounded by water and Swedish forests. 90 minutes into the archipelago by boat from the center of Stockholm.

I love how the building designed by Johan Nyrén exists with its surroundings; large rocks align on the entrance, wood-panneled texture as seen on traditional red Swedish cottages is continued on the concrete walls, wooden panels and benches throughout the interior, beams of natural light come in through the tilted roofs. Artipelag houses two main exhibition halls, a cute little design shop, two restaurants and has a roof top terrace with a splendid view. You can get through the exhibitions in about an hour and head over to one of the restaurants for lunch, you can also bring your own snacks and have a picnic on one of the many outdoor tables or a large rock in the sun.

What I enjoyed the most about this place was the landscape surrounding it. The view over the lakes from the roof top of the building, the smell of pine trees, the size of the stones and cliffs, the lush almost neon tones of green among the dark trees, deep blue sparkling water. Artipelag is a fantastic place where modern art and design meet nature.