While the subway system in Montreal works as a lifeline, I feel there’s almost an absence of artistic expression and aesthetics. While some of the stations have some beautiful ceramic murals & stained glass artworks, the majority of them are mere concrete structures with thousands of advertizing hoardings constantly reminding us of the consumerist world in which we live.
Most big cities in the world have budget constraints in terms of creating something extra ordinary & luxurious in public places, but some cities like Stockholm have set an example by creating the world’s biggest underground art gallery at the Stockholm subway system. More than 90 out of the 100 metro stations have been decorated with mind blowing murals, installations, graffiti, fresco, sculptures and wall relief work by a team of over 150 fine artists & sculptors. The 110 kilometers long subway system is a journey into an art space featuring art styles from the 1950’s to contemporary.
Stockholm’s central subway station, T-Centralen station, designed by Per Olof Ultvedt in 1975 features massive blue & white paintings on its ceilings. It feels like a Friday night in a lounge bar at the Solna Centrum station featuring a bright red color on its ceilings and walls. The Kungsträdgården subway station has been designed to look like an archaeological underground site, and it features the remains of Stockholm’s old Makalös palace.
It’s time to switch off your cellphones…… stop reading your newspaper….. simply immerse yourself into a journey of art. Welcome to Stockholm’s incredible underground art world!!!!
