Art Meets Metallurgy in Kiruna's Cityscape

On Friday, 24 May 2024, the artwork Combustion/Production in Kiruna was unveiled, created by Brazilian artist Daniel Da Paula. The work consists of a metallic pavement stone cast from three different metals who have been integrated into Kiruna's cityscape. Each stone consists of metals loaded with symbolic significance: iron from LKAB; copper from the old clock hands in the first town hall’s clock tower; and silver from recycled materials from Swedish crematoriums.

The artwork in Kiruna is now a permanent part of the cityscape, but Daniel Da Paula has also been part of the Luleå Biennale 2024, organized by Konstfrämjandet, the People's Movements for Art Promotion Norrbotten during the spring. It was the production group that found Swerim as a collaborative partner.

"Expertise and knowledge about the entire value chain from raw materials to finished metal products was crucial," explains one of the artistic directors for the Luleå Biennale, Bruno Alves de Almeida. He also emphasizes that the collaboration has worked well. Researchers and technicians at Swerim have wholeheartedly taken on the task.

"The cooperation has been positive and absolutely essential for the successful realization of Daniel De Paula's work!"

At Swerim, Pavel Ramirez Lopez has been the project leader, and he wants to highlight the internal collaboration at Swerim, where a work team together has realized the artist's vision.

"It's about inventiveness, expertise, and hard work. Together, we are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of casting technology with our own internal rapid prototyping model and melting preparation equipment. Participating in an art project was different and enlightening," states Pavel Ramirez Lopez, who extends a special thanks to colleagues Karthik Manu and Anton Sundström, as well as technicians Peter Skemark, Peter Larsson, and Fredrik Skemark.