Swab presents the central program of its 18th edition: Polar and Tropic

The tropics are those imaginary lines where the sun, positioned at the zenith, pauses after each cycle, before shifting towards a new direction. Humanity seems to be going through a similar time—a solstice-like state—where the organic and artificial structures that have sustained the dominant form of civilization are no longer useful, while others, emerging from the margins, have already begun to appear and organize.
 
This is also a time of extreme polarity, a condition that divides the human species by projecting identity in opposition to the other. Paradoxically, polarity embodies the basic principle of attraction: it is the tension between opposing poles that generates movement and impulse, drawing elements together and allowing energy to flow
 
Observing these phenomena, Polar and Tropic proposes an encounter between art spaces that come from opposite extremes—the Nordic region and Southeast Asia—and form cultural ecosystems sustained by networks of collaboration and solidarity.

Confronting the hegemonic idea of equilibrium through radical self-interest, the practice developed by these projects suggest the opposite model, expanding the region of artistic creation and exploring new ways of relating, forming networks, and building shared spaces.

The program brings together twelve independent spaces from both regions through booth exhibitions and an extensive public program. Curated by Tenthaus, Bunga Siagian, and Jatiwangi art Factory, it includes a video presentation with AV-arkki (Helsinki) and MES 56 (Yogyakarta), a common prints exhibition in collaboration with Lumbung Press, and a radio program with Station of Commons/Lumbung Radio.
 
The guiding question of this gathering is how to expand the networks—and how to make them sustainable. How to continue building lasting structures of mutual support and collaboration, capable of sustaining possible futures?


Exhibitors:

NSFW (Gothenburg), Fuxia2 (Malmo), Pachinko (Oslo), Tenthaus (Oslo), All all all (Copenhagen), SUAVEART (Taipei), ss space space (Taipei), Jatiwangi Art Factory (Majalengka), Studio150 (Bangkok), MoT+++ (Ho Chi Minh), Gelanggang Olah Rasa – GOR (Bandung), K4+ Podium (Oslo)


The public program will be joined by: 
 
Lumbung Press (Barcelona), Station of Commons / Lumbung Radio (Helsinki), Mes 56 (Yogyakarta) and  Av-arkki (Helsinki) 

On the cover: Studio150. Pat Laddaphan and Piyakorn Chaiverapundech.The Sacred Masses series. 2024

Source: Swab Barcelona