Spela min lind
Series of 48 Gicleé prints, 30 x 40 cm, 2021.

“Spela min lind” (Play my linden) is a microscope image of a linden branch. The image shows the cells, vascular bundles and stomata of the linden tree. I have worked with cells in numerous projects. This began with my studies of human tissue, when working on a project about my mother’s death to cancer.

The magnified images prompt thoughts about origin, the human’s place in the world and the large in relation to the small. The cells can be considered the most basic building blocks of life - for both plants and animals. All of life’s peculiar qualities are represented in each cell. “Spela min lind” forms a score with the different voices of the linden.

The title “Spela min lind” refers to Astrid Lindgren’s short story “Spelar min lind, sjunger min näktergal” (“My nightingale is singing”).

Spelar min lind, sjunger min näktergal is about Malin, who ends up in a poorhouse. One day, sitting in the priest’s kitchen, she hears someone reading aloud to the children of the congregation. The words seeping out of the adjacent room, make their way to Malin. She only remembers a few, but very beautiful words: playing my linden, singing my nightingale.

Malin yearns despairingly for a linden tree. For if she had a linden tree, she would have a nightingale. And if she had a nightingale, everything would be beautiful.

Malin plants a pea. She thinks it will work, with faith and yearning. And never before has anyone believed and yearned so sincerely. Lo and behold, one morning a linden tree had sprouted. But to Malin’s great despair, the linden tree was utterly silent and still. Then Malin realises that she can give her spirit to the tree.

At dawn the next day, the poor are awoken by the most beautiful music. So lovely plays the linden tree, so wonderfully sings the nightingale, that everything instantly becomes beautiful. Malin is gone.