Uddenskulptur 2012 is the world in a seed – made of stone.

It is essentially a continuation of last year’s event, which was based on exhibitions of sculptures by ten recipients of “stone grants” from Bohuslän.

This year those recipients of grants, who come from various parts of the world, have invited some of their friends to take part. This provides an oppor- tunity for greater knowledge of and insight into the environment from which their art originates. What they share in common is that they find their inspiration in the material that has shaped people in the area where the exhibition takes place. The Udden headland in Hunnebostrand, so characte- ristic of the meeting of rock and sea.

Imagining the two, stone and water, without one another is virtually impossible. Envisage spending a while by the sea, as the waves crash in over the rocks. Bringing with them pebbles and seashells. Grinding and re-grinding the rough surface and making it shine like silk. Something you want to touch and caress. The sea shows the way. Just as the skilled sculptor arouses our curiosity.

And the actual exhibition space has been exten- ded this year. From the dramatic setting of the Udden headland, it takes a giant step inland to a barn at Nordens Ark (The Nordic Ark).

So, we start at Nordre Höge Berg. It’s vertical quarry walls form a mighty backdrop. Udden was once a quay from which paving stones, kerbstones and stone for building were shipped out. Out into the world, across the sea. To build canals in Gothenburg, locks in Holland and quaysides in Buenos Aires.

And now, in summer 2012, that great wave will be returning. Washing in over land into the deep valley of the Åby Fjord. Leaving stones behind. Big and small. Shaped by sculptors who have their roots in or have been influenced by the cultural heritage of other continents.

Certain events can suddenly look like a thought. But you can certainly see the entire exhibition space from Udden, through the valley to Nordens Ark as one great womb. Embracing, with the entire world within it. Many of the art-works are reminiscent of nature, such as Martha Quinns egg with sharp points.

Kerstin Wallin cultural writer