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Stofan | A Public Living Room was a playful exploration in how we envision a community square in the future library. In the exploration process we used all our senses to explore the surroundings, ideas and understandings of public spaces we would like to see in our society. We exchanged ideas about neutral spaces, comfort and spatial identity of a library – the connection between people, physical elements of places, and activities associated with them. The aim was to create a place where you can start a conversation, communicate beyond language and share the care for our community.

Each version of Stofan was different. In the process we have danced dances, learned about rights, racism and climate issues, shared food and culture, told personal stories, took a shower, stayed silent, imagined different futures, painted and recharged our batteries. The whole process was documented. A Wall of Inspiration was set up as a tribute to the creative collaborations with individuals, collectives and NGOs during the years from 2021 to 2024.

Listen - A few of the conversations in Stofan

Through the experimental co-curational work in Stofan, the library aims to diversify its program and have new users shape the space as well as the discussions taking place at the library - making the library a relevant place for more people.

What is Stofan?

Stofan is an experimental project where the library invites different partners to create the social space they would like to see in the library.
Once a month a user opens a new space that reflects their needs, a space they feel comfortable in; a temporay public living room, with their own rules.
Stofan is open to other users who can observe and join the conversation, participate and experience the temporary space on their own terms.

This is a place for citizenship in the making, where you can negotiate ideas of belonging, perform your identity, connect with others and communicate beyond language. In our conversations at Stofan we use all our senses to explore the surroundings, ideas and understandings.

How do we work?

A group of partners are invided to collaborate and co-curate a „conversation/happening“ within a given focus:

2021-22: Creating a social space at the library

2022-23: Experimenting with communication dimensions

2023-24: Use and relevance of the library

Partners take part in two think tanks for discussion, understanding and developing ideas and the surroundings.
The co-curational process includes two preparatory meetings on location with the project manager.