Focus on: Björn Lövin

Underrated in the sense that we have only just began to realize the importance of his work. Many of its layers have only now started to emerge – layers previously obscured by matters such as zeitgeist and our rigid manner of categorizing art as, for example, pop, minimalism or conceptual. Similarly to other artists who for a long time were, or still are, underrated – as for example Öyvind Fahlström, Walter De Maria and Lee Bontecou – Björn Lövin eludes labelling. Needless to say, there was a facet of Mr P´s world that leant ostensibly towards pop art. But, as with the fictitious multinational company ILAC, it could also be seen as a very early example of a postmodern strategy of simulating the smooth surface of the information society and steering extremely close to the icy reality, in order to expose, and hopefully, undermine it. However, in Björn Lövin´s art there is also passion, hope and rage, which is anything but detached and postmodern. And, since it is grafted on the cool contemporary analysis, it is not the least naïve.

With this dedicated room in the Collection we want to begin to untangle the world of hope and despair which is that of Mr P, John Löwenskjöld and Björn Lövin – a world eerily similar to the one we inhabit.

Lars Nittve
Museum Director