Andreas Almebäck

Finding balance is the theme I explore in my practice. How do we use our time? We have more free time than ever, but we perceive that we have less. The human cost of progress has taken many forms. We have created civilised societies; however, the price of our progress is stress. Stress rises as the pace of life increases. We view stress with a focus on the individual. Therefore, the burden is put upon the individual to adjust to the conditions of modern life, to achieve “balance”. Instead we should zoom out, looking at larger social problems, which might force us to make structural changes in our society. Society’s constant demand for consumption, constant demand for larger production and its constant demand for expansion does something to us. I want to create a moment to stop, to take a breath and to reflect.

I make hanging abstract glass sculptures which use balance as their main force. The separate parts are able to move freely and oscillate. The different sculptural elements are constantly negotiating its form, by engaging space, in its endless search for balance. The sculpture is suspended in time as well as space. When form is set in motion, it develops into something performed. Form is transferred into a process. Movement also adds a time and perception aspect to form. By not only observing form in itself, but as movements in time, I view this sculpture as a metaphor for life.