Råängen

Råängen is a platform for discussion about what happens on Lund Cathedral’s land in Brunnshög, an area on the north-east edge of Lund, in southern Sweden. Brunnshög is on the threshold of an ambitious development which will significantly change the character of the area over the next thirty years.

The aim is to rethink the way that towns are developed by introducing an arts programme that will become a tool for conversation, critical debate and engagement before any building work begins. The programme will inform the long-term development of the Cathedral’s land, and result in a neighbourhood that delivers opportunities for new ways of living, working and studying in the 21st century.

Over the next six years Råängen (which translates as ‘raw meadow’) will develop a narrative that builds on the involvement of artists, architects, local people, developers, contractors and university staff, creating the groundwork for future stories in a new neighbourhood. It will provide a framework for discussion about the fundamental issues at stake in the overall development of Brunnshög: value systems, belief, ownership, fear, faith, time, beauty, commitment and endeavour.

Art and architecture commissions

The programme started with temporary installations by British artist Nathan Coley in Lund and Brunnshög in 2017 and ’18, and continues in 2019 with a new public garden by Norwegian architects Brendeland & Kristoffersen.

Public events & workshops

Seminars on the subject of ‘time’ and the artists role in public life were held in Lund and Malmö in 2018 and ’19, along with a programme of workshops with school children about the development of their town and what art can do to the spirit of a place. Pilgrimages with local priests have been organised, taking local people from the steps of Lund Cathedral to the new development in Brunnshög, 5km outside the town.

Commissioned texts

Writers and curators Cathy Haynes, Lisa Rosendahl and Jonatan Habib Engqvist have been commissioned to write texts on various elements of the Råängen programme, contributing to critical analysis and public debate in the field of contemporary commissioning practices, urban development and the churches role in 21^st century life.

Who we are

Råängen has been initiated by Lund Cathedral’s board and is the first stage of a long term development project in Brunnshög. Mats Persson (Treasurer, Lund Cathedral) and Lena Sjöstrand (Chaplain, Lund Cathedral) are Co-Directors of Råängen. Independent curator and writer Jes Fernie is working with Lund Cathedral and Jake Ford of White Arkitketer to deliver the programme.

Photo credits:

1. Nathan Coley, And We Are Everywhere, 2018, Commissioned by Lund Cathedral, Råängen programme, Photo: Peter Westrup

2. Map showing location of Råängen in Brunnshög, Lund, Illustration by James Graham, 2017

3. Råängen, Lund, 2017, Photo by Petra Bindel

4. Nathan Coley, Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing Ever Happens, 2008, Installed adjacent to Lund Cathedral, Sweden, 2017 – 2018, Råängen programme, Photo: Peter Westrup