Sweden of the future must dare to embrace the unknown

“Awesome, but I don’t really get it” – we encourage Sweden to embrace the incomprehensible.

Södertälje konsthall is part of Klister, a nationwide network comprising around thirty small and medium-sized art institutions that have jointly created the campaign “Awesome, but I don’t really get it” (*Asbra, fattar noll*).

In a society where almost everything is expected to be efficient, clear, and immediate, there is also a need for spaces that pose questions without ready-made answers. Daring to confront something that seems difficult fosters growth—not only for the individual but for Sweden as a whole, according to Klister network behind the initiative.

“Awesome, but I don’t really get it” campaign aims to lower the threshold for engaging with contemporary art by removing one of its biggest barriers: the frustration of not understanding it. The initiative targets anyone curious about culture who has ever felt that art isn’t for them.

Through this campaign, Klister also seeks to highlight the role of contemporary art in public discourse. When culture is treated as a luxury for the few, its true value is overlooked: its ability to make society freer, bolder, and—in the long run—richer.

About Klister

Klister is a national network of art institutions in Sweden. Together, the members create space for art across the country, from rural areas to major cities. The network is organized by its members, operating freely and according to their own capacity. Discussions often focus on industry news, shared challenges, and opportunities to shape public opinion. Members who are able to do so represent the network in various contexts, such as cultural policy discussions and meetings. As Klister operates nationwide, it maintains close ties with other organizations working for the arts at a national level, such as Public Art Agency Sweden (Statens konstråd), Moderna Museet, and Bildkonst Sverige. Since 2011, the network has produced reports, organized public discussions, and otherwise worked strategically to support the arts across the country.