The possibility to exhibit in Street Gallery, Galleri Tripp and Galleri Trapp will be paused for a period of time. The reason is the need to review questions concerning responsibility, safety and support.
The student-run galleries Street Gallery, Galleri Tripp and Galleri Trapp at HDK-Valand, Vasagatan, will be temporarily unavailable for exhibitions.
The decision has been made by Head of Department Klara Björk, following discussions within the HDK-Valand management group. It relates to a formal submission to the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO)* regarding the previous exhibition in Galleri Tripp this past spring, and the broader questions that have arisen in relation to this.
– Among other things, we need to clarify the matter of responsibility between the department and the artist/student when exhibiting in university premises outside the frame of formal coursework,” says Klara Björk. “We also need to review the safety aspects of these exhibition spaces – both from the perspective of the exhibiting student and the department.
– My hope, she continues, is to engage in constructive dialogue with the gallery group (the student union Konstkåren), so that we can also ensure appropriate support for students exhibiting in these spaces, particularly in their encounter with an audience that sometimes is public. I also welcome others who may have thoughts, questions or reflections about the future of our student-run galleries to reach out to me.
The plan is for the galleries to reopen as soon as these matters have been reviewed.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or comments, you are welcome to contact Head of Department Klara Björk, klara.bjork@gu.se.
*As of the time of writing (28 March), the Parliamentary Ombudsman has not yet decided whether to proceed with or dismiss the case. No official notification has been submitted to the University of Gothenburg for processing.