‘The Subterranean Ones’ at Tumba Paper Mill Museum

We are very happy for the collaboration with Tumba Paper Mill in the museums’s new exhibition Down to earth—self suffiency then and now, which departs from life at the paper mill around the turn of the last century. The exhibition tells the story of the people who lived at the mill and the care and planning that was required all year round to set food on the table. You also meet people striving towards self sufficiency and sustainably today. 

Through the art installation and film “The Subterranean Ones” we want to give visitors an opportunity to get even closer to the earth, and a glimpse of all the non-human soil workers who live under our very feet. We depend on them, just as we depend on all the microbes in our stomachs that transforms food into nutrients. In the film, we dive into a world of bacteria, amoebas and miniscule worms called nematodes. The work also consists of a five meter long nematode made of fabric. The music has been composed by Magnus Andersson Lagerqvist. Microscope footage by Malin Lobell and Jenny Salmson. The art installation, together with film and sound editing, has been created by Janna Holmstedt and Karin Wegsjö. (Photo montage above: Janna Holmstedt, R&D/SHM).

The exhibition Down to earth runs until autumn 2024 and offers a rich programme for the entire family. There is also a school garden as well as other activities and places to discover in the beautiful museum surroundings where Sweden’s banknotes once were printed.

The art installation was made possible through a collaboration at the National Historical Museums (SHM) between the Department for Research and Development, the art and research project Humus economicus, and Tumba Paper Mill. A warm thank you to everyone involved! Read more about Down to earth—self suffiency then and now at the museum’s website.