Stockholm’s Metro Network
The World’s Longest Art Exhibition
Welcome to what is often referred to as the ‘world’s longest art exhibition’, better known as Stockholm’s Metro Network.
Already in the 19th century a general debate about making art more accessible to the public was going on in Sweden.
It will thus not come as a surprise, that in the early fifties of the twentieth century a campaign for displaying art in Stockholm’s metro stations started.
Soon, in 1957, the first art works were installed in the metro station T-Centralen. From that moment onwards slowly but surely more and more metro stations were decorated and filled with artworks.
Not only does the art make the metro stations more attractive visually, there’s also a strong belief, that the art will make the stations more safe and help reduce criminal damage and vandalism.
Contrary to the Moscow Underground the art in Stockholm‘s metro is fairly modern. Apart from stylish decorated metro stations you will also find showcases with art and art objects on the walls.
Today you will be able to find art in over 90 of the 100 metro stations being part of the 110 kilometers long metro network running through the Swedish capital, forming an easy way to recognize a destination for many Stockhomers.
Practical information:
It is very easy to visit the different metro stations by yourself. Just buy a metro ticket and jump on and off at the different metro stations to have a better look.
SL – Stockholm Lokal Trafik – organizes free guided tours of Stockholm’s Metro Art all year round. Do mind that the tours in English are only available during the summer months (June, July and August). The rest of the year the tours are in Swedish only.
For more information about Stockholm’s metro art visit www.sl.se.
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