Eric Lagergren

Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by stones. Wandering around in nature, on a constant treasure hunt for what the Earth has created, is wonderful. When you’re out looking for stones, you’re often searching in old mining areas. Mining areas are very special places filled with history and traces of human impact. The deep holes, which can be likened to bites, are striking. Bites created by machines or pickaxes in search of the valuable metals or minerals lurking deep underground.

In my project, I want to move a mine to a dining table. A way to invite people to try eating stones. By sitting in peace and quiet in front of a dining table, I want the user to participate in a mining environment in which different techniques are explored, such as crushing, mixing and drinking the stones. The body becomes the refinery where the different minerals are separated and stored.

I feel that there is a discord today between the people who use the vast majority of the mine’s resources and those who work in mining. Especially from a global perspective, in which there is a great divide between the conditions of miners and the conditions of those who exploit the mines. A sort of metabolic tear. At the same time, metals are vital and necessary for us humans to have in the long term if we are to continue the transition to a sustainable future.

In my work, which is itself dependent on mining, I have worked with traditional silversmithing techniques such as repoussé and chasing. With my work, I want to provoke thoughts about my own and others’ complex relationships with the mining industry.