"Dreamland" at the Technical Museum in Stockholm is about the emergence of modern Sweden - from dynamite to Spotify via the kitchen assistant and the Pirate Bay.
When it comes to the development from a poor country to a welfare state and an innovative country, Sweden, along with Japan, is unique in the world, Peter Skogh points out. Only these two countries changed so quickly from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1970s:
They differ in several ways, but it's a very inspiring story, he says.
The art
The story of the “genius industry”, of the inventors, their persistence and machines (the AGA lighthouse, the walker, the ATM, the radioknife for brain tumours) remains, but has been vastly expanded. Now, for the first time, it is placed in a social context that also includes people, art and literature.
The idea is to show what we do with inventions and technology and what it does to us, says Peter Skogh.
In the middle sits the gigantic steam engine that once pumped water out of the coal mine in Höganäs. It stands almost immovably where it has always stood, as the very heart of the museum, but is now presented in an exhibition that includes both Ulla Wiggen's art and quotes by Lars Norén.
Pacifist
The prototype for the JAS 39-2 Gripen is displayed together with the story of the former fighter pilot, later pacifist artist Åke Hodell. Half a floor up, visitors can sit down to watch a slideshow about the people and their new machines to newly composed music by Bob Hund's drummer, Christian Gabel.
It is an emotional journey through the history of Swedish technology, inspired by performing arts, says Fanny S. Aupeix, the museum's creative director.
But with the Dreamland also comes the Wasteland, geopolitical tensions, and the climate crisis.
Wear and tear became a concept, "Silent Spring" is coming, then we start talking about other aspects, says Peter Skogh.
Overall, Peter Skogh believes it becomes clear how we today tend to overestimate speed but also misunderstand and underestimate the violent force of technological development.
It rarely happens as we think.
It's enormously comforting, because it means we have agency, we can help shape it, and we have always shaped our future.
Facts: “Dreamland”
A new lavish main exhibition at the Technical Museum in Stockholm about the emergence of modern Sweden from 1809 to the present day.
The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with technology historians such as Nina Wormbs, Sverker Sörlin and Per Högselius and is also about politics, culture and power.
