Researchers at the Department of Art, Culture, and Communication at Malmö University, together with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden and the Marine Knowledge Center in Malmö, hosted a celebration of “Bauhaus of the Seas Sails” at Malmö University in November. The project has been ongoing for three years and is part of the EU’s New European Bauhaus initiative. A panel discussion, an exhibition, a concert, and a ceremony—during which eelgrass and seaweed bundles were returned to the Västra Varvsbassängen—brought the three-year project to a close.
The collaboration, which has focused on exploring how a new maritime culture can emerge, has yielded several results. Residents, local cultural and environmental stakeholders, and policymakers have been involved.
Among other initiatives, a Sea Forum has been established in collaboration with the World Maritime University, Studiefrämjandet, SLU Urban Futures, the City of Malmö, White Arkitekter, and the Allas Lika Värde Association. Sea Forum has developed a long-term strategy for its work and signed a letter of intent to promote a perspective that goes beyond the human. They have also helped engage Ocean Ambassadors and evaluated the work.
The Ocean Ambassadors—Flod57, Strandfynd, Skaparklubb, and Landart in Skåne—have created experiences that have given Malmö residents new insights into and a deeper connection with the ocean and the life that thrives there.
Another outcome is the work contributed by Malmö University researchers Anna Seravalli, Anders Emilsson, and Ann Light, along with doctoral student Anna Schröder. They have developed “Compass for Ocean Ambassadors, ” a workbook designed to inspire and guide efforts to promote regenerative cultures. They have also written a guide on how to develop local co-creation activities. The Regenerative Marine Cultures research group at Malmö Universityis now continuing this work and seeking funding.
Finally, a learning program for the Ocean Ambassadors to explore local engagement has been developed, and students in the Master’s program in Interaction Design at Malmö University have worked on this theme. Anders Emilsson and Anna Schröder are now adapting the material into a study circle in collaboration with Studiefrämjandet. There are also plans to create a standalone course on ocean literacy at Malmö University.
Learn more about Bauhaus of the Seas Sails in Malmö.
Read the Compass for Ocean Ambassadors.
Learn more about the Regenerative Marine Cultures research group at Malmö University.