Kalavishwa: The world's longest art gallery, that too underground!

Yogin Vyas

In Dunn, the local transportation network in Stockholm City consists of four types of services. Metro trains, trams, buses and water ferry services. All these services can be availed on a single card or ticket. This transportation service is very fast and good for going to different parts of Stockholm city. The local metro train service is known as 'Tunalbana'. It has about 100 different stations. 47 of these stations are underground. The Swedish authorities decided to build a metro train network in the city of Stockholm for the convenience of the people in the year 1941 and started its work. On October 1, 1950, service from Slussen station to Hökarängen was started. Then gradually as per requirement till 1994 a total of 100 metro stations were built on new routes covering a distance of approximately 108 km. In the year 1957, the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the local authorities of Stockholm, came up with an idea to make the daily boring and routine journey of people traveling by metro trains a little interesting. By bringing together various artists who are skilled in different arts of the country, they started decorating the metro station. Various works of art like painting, architecture, etc. on many subjects like art, science, sports, education, history, culture were prepared by around 150 famous artists. As many as 90 stations out of 100 metro stations have creatively displayed amazing pieces of art created by different artists on different themes. For the price of a train ticket, you can enjoy 90 stations decorated with mosaics, paintings, sculptures, architecture and carvings by more than 150 artists. Many well-known artists in Sweden from the 1950s to modern times have contributed to this work. Friends, these stations built less than 100 feet below the road level 50-60 years ago are amazing pieces of engineering and art. No extra payment has to be made except for the local train ticket to visit it. A glimpse of the art and culture displayed in 90 stations: • T-Centralen Opened in 1957 and spread over three levels, this is Stockholm's largest and busiest station. Shadow portraits of the people who built this fascinating station are etched on its walls. 3-D flooring and walls made in blue color pattern make this station very attractive. Art lovers can enjoy different beautiful paintings, sculptures, architecture and design patterns on each floor. • Stadion station is built 115 feet below the ground and opened in 1973. The theme for the station's art is related to sports, as it is close to the site of the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm and now hosts sporting and musical events. Various sports paintings, installations, photographs, statistics of Olympic records are provided throughout the station. The artwork on one of Stockholm's first cave stations reminds of a stadium in sports history. A beautiful rainbow stands out against the bright blue walls of the station. • Kungstragarden station is built 112 feet below the ground and opened in 1977. The theme for the station's art is related to the nearby king's palace, garden, and forest. The decoration of sculptures and statues in the palace of the king makes the place look very majestic. After visiting it, you will surely understand why many famous travel guide companies of the world consider it as one of the best subway stations in the world. • New art related exhibitions are regularly encouraged by the Authority under the program called 'ART IN TRANSITION' and thus the stations continue to evolve. Odenplan station was opened in 1952. The station annually presents works by young graduates of Swedish art and design colleges. When Skanstull station was opened in 1950. The station regularly screens art films by Swedish and international artists. • Why miss Stockholm's Västra Skogen station, which is the most underground from road level? Opened in 1975, this 40-meter-down station has Sweden's longest escalator at 217 feet in length. It descends 108 feet in one minute and 24 seconds. The station is decorated with beautiful artwork made of colorful tiles. Special tours are also organized during vacation time for art lovers to have special knowledge and visit of art and exhibitions of all stations with the help of a guide. Stockholm public transport regularly organizes free guided art walks in the subway.}