Sculpture Park & Collection

In many ways, Wanås Konst has been a pioneer in the Nordic countries when it comes to creating a site-specific sculpture park and working with various types of artists and artistic practices to create outdoor works that expand the idea of what a permanent “sculpture” can be. The sculpture park, developed over nearly 40 years, is the core of the organization, with close to 80 permanent works spread across 40 hectares of beech forest and historic milieus. Every year, artists from around the world are invited to create temporary works, of which one or more are added to the permanent collection. The interaction between the unique, constantly shifting nature and the art, with both permanent and new works, ensures that no walk through the sculpture park is ever the same.

At Wanås, “permanent” is a fluid concept, as nature is allowed to influence both the experience and durability of the artwork. Some works, like Melissa Martin’s Dining Room, a replica of the castle’s original dining room, are created to naturally break down over time and eventually cease to exist. Others, like Yoko Ono’s Sky Ladders, are only displayed occasionally. Additionally, the foundation produces works that are more performative or have built-in time aspects, such as Kimsooja’s Sowing into Painting (2020), which follows the cycle of nature—from preparation and sowing to flowering and harvesting flax seeds over several months—or Carola Grahn’s 51m3fub (2023), which consists of three cubic steel frames. The cubes are empty but are periodically filled with energy wood from the estate, which is then converted into chips.

LEARNING & STUDIO

Art also inspires all of the pedagogical offerings. The art program is based on the philosophy that everyone—regardless of background—should have the opportunity to experience contemporary art in an open and inviting environment. The studio, which was launched in 2022 in the main barn, consists of three flexible spaces and serves as home base for educational activities year-round, finding inspiration in the collection and specific artistic practices. There is always a creative drop-in workshop where visitors can create on their own. Summer camps and autumn holiday activities are often planned in collaboration with artists, giving visitors the chance to meet the artists and gain insight into their artistic processes. The studio is also used for conversations, temporary workshops, and exhibitions.

Curatorial profile

Wanås Konst’s artistic program reflects movements within contemporary art and issues that engage artists in society. At the same time, the program explores the unique opportunities that the interaction between Wanås’ natural environment and artistic practices offers. The program follows the rhythm of the seasons and is open to the public from spring through late autumn. The seasons impact how the artworks are experienced, and each year a program is created that relates to the collection and the temporary exhibitions. Art also inspires all of Wanås’ educational activities.

New Commission – In the summer, the focus is on new works in the sculpture park and temporary works in the halls. These works reflect Wanås Konst’s international profile.

Collection Highlights – The sculpture park as it stands today holds a unique and eclectic art history, with several groundbreaking works by now world-renowned artists. This history is highlighted and placed in a new context through
Collection Highlights, where the re-exhibiting of key works—often after careful restoration—becomes an opportunity to explore their contemporary significance with a new audience through artist talks, film screenings, and seminars.

Art & Words Festival – Through art, music, performance, lectures, and nature walks, the festival explores literature and research on nature, climate, technology, and relationships with other species (“kinship”) that inspire today’s artists. The festival was initiated in 2023 with the theme “Mycocosm” about mushrooms and mycelium, and in 2024 the theme was “Jellyfish & Deep Dreams,” which explored an intuitive connection to the sea through the senses. Visitors are invited to observe, listen, and become more aware of the natural world.

History

Wanås is located in northeastern Skåne, near what was once the border between Sweden and Denmark. The history of the site dates back to the medieval period. Wanås is a combination of the words for “water” and “hill”—the earliest mention is Watnaas. When the first castle was built on the site, Skåne belonged to the Kingdom of Denmark[härav Vannås] [hence “Vannås”]. The Dano-Swedish War was fought in the surrounding area, and the famous Snapphane oak can still be seen in the park. Wanås Castle was burned down, and in 1556 the castle was rebuilt largely as it appears today. The castle, with its wings, is privately owned and has been home to the Wachtmeister family for several generations.

WANÅS TODAY – THREE BUSINESSES

Wanås Konst operates in historic buildings and on land owned by Baltzar Wachtmeister and Wanås Estate, on a site that also houses Wanås Restaurant Hotel. Wanås Estate is a modern organic farm operated sustainably according to regulatory requirements. The farm produces milk, beef, feed, grains, and root vegetables. In addition, Wanås Estate runs a hunting business and engages in modern forestry.

Wanås Restaurant Hotel som öppnade 2017, ligger i två kulturbyggnader från 1700-talet och hyser natur- och konstälskare från hela världen. Hotellets elva rum är unikt inredda med modern elegans i naturmaterial. Restaurangen erbjuder mat där råvarorna spelar huvudrollen och menyn är influerad av platsen med vilt, bär, svamp och örter från skogen och ekologiska produkter från gården. Wanås Restaurant Hotel har etablerats av Kristina Wachtmeister.

Wanås’ Environmental Efforts

Wanås, as a destination, has a clear focus on sustainability. Wanås Estate is one of Northern Europe’s largest organic farms and has been producing milk since the 18th century. In addition to KRAV-certified, climate-certified milk, the estate produces organic meat and engages in organic forestry. The forests are FSC-certified, and the estate and sculpture park are part of the EU Wildlife Estates program. Wanås Estate is actively developing biodiversity on its grounds and has restored 15 ponds for new habitats.

Wanås Konst implements a green environmental policy that permeates both the exhibition activities and the operations of the shop and café, where environmentally friendly methods, local production, and recycling are prioritized. Since 2009, the foundation has been a member of the Swan Club for sustainable procurement and operations. Since 2023, Wanås Konst has participated in the Green Producers Club pilot project, which develops tools to measure and reduce the climate impact of the art industry.