Ravinen a cultural center

Ravinen is an art gallery and a cultural center located in Båstad on the Bjäre Peninsula in Skåne, in the south of Sweden. The building is located at the entrance to Norrviken Gardens, next to the brook ravine that gave it its name, about 3 kilometers northwest of Båstad. The initiators are the artists Ulla and Gustav Kraitz, who for three decades have worked actively to make the vision of a meeting place for art on the Bjäre Peninsula a reality.

This newsletter takes you on a tour of their creation. If you want to see all the details, click on the images and they will open in a larger format.

Enjoy!
 

Secure exhibition halls

Ravinen features three exhibition halls, the largest of which is 200 sqm. In the design of the halls, control of light, temperature and humidity has been prioritized during the construction. Many installations have been hidden in the walls and ceilings to create stripped down spaces allowing the art to be displayed.

All exhibition spaces are built according to class 3 safety standards, which governs the building regulations for load-bearing structures. This reduces the risk of parts of the structure collapsing with personal injury as a result. And it also makes the environment safe for the exhibited works.

 

Kraitz Hall

Ulla and Gustav Kraitz have been professional artists since the 1960s. To the right of the foyer is the Kraitz Hall featuring a permanent exhibition of their artwork. The exhibitions vary over time and are a selection of the works that the couple has donated to the Ravinen foundation

 

Birgit Nilsson Hall

Sweden’s greatest opera singer was born and grew up in Svenstad in the Västra Karup parish, which today is Båstad Municipality. The hall, which is named after Birgit Nilsson, has room for a seated audience of 230 and is equipped with a Steinway C grand piano. With loose chairs on the lower level, the room can easily be adapted and refurnished for a variety of activities and events.

On the side walls, boxes in different shapes are visible, which brings to mind an art installation. The boxes are part of the hall’s acoustic solution and have been designed by Anna Kraitz and Gustav Kraitz in consultation with acoustician Jan-Inge Gustafsson.

When the hall is not in use, it is open to visitors. The films, Ulla & Gustav Kraitz - A long artist’s journey (15 min) and Gustav Kraitz - The coal, the flames, and the liturgy of the kiln (10 min) are shown during public visiting times.

 

Café Celadon overlooking the sea

Café Celadon serves up wonderful culinary experiences that create a magical meeting between culture and nature and offers a sweeping view of Laholm Bay. Adjacent to the café there is an outdoor area with 65 seats under a roof.

 

The Chinese emperor’s robe was Celadon

Celadon was the color of the Chinese emperor’s robe. A matte pale green color that has become classic in Asian glaze. Many in the ceramic industry have tried their hand at making glazes that mimic Celadon. Both Ulla and Gustav Kraitz have worked a lot with celadon glaze, which was highly appreciated when their work was shown at an exhibition in China. Here in the café there is a beautiful stoneware barrel with the pale green feldspar glaze.

Creative workshop for old and young

At Ravinen there is an educational program with guided tours, creative workshops, and group activities. During the guided tours you will learn more about Ravinen and the exhibitions, get acquainted with artistry and immerse yourself in different themes and issues. On the slope down to the sea is the Creative Workshop, a room for creative adventures. In the workshop visitors can try artistic techniques and materials with inspiration from the exhibitions and the nature around.

 

Sculpture Park

During the next year, a sculpture park will open on the slope down to the sea. A taste of what will come can be seen today in front of the building’s entrance.

Gustav och Ulla Kraitz

Ulla and Gustav Kraitz have been active as artists in Förslöv for almost sixty years. Based on the Bjäre Peninsula, they have established a strong international reputation for decades with commissions for public works in New York, San Francisco and exhibitions in the USA, China, England, Germany, France, and others.

In 1917 they both received H.M. The King's Medal of the 8th size "for significant contributions to ceramics"