This transit system is also the world's longest art exhibit

The Wikipedia entry for Stockholm’s Metro system says that it has 100 stations in use along 106 kilometers (about 65 miles) of track.  I seem to recall that Stockholm was one of the cities used to illustrate the concept of transit-oriented development in Michael Bernick and Robert Cervero’s early (1996) book on the subject, Transit Villages in the 21st Century.  I also know that Stockholm was an early adopter of congestion pricing for roadways.

What I didn’t know until now, however, was that transportation innovation in the Swedish capital and its suburbs also extends to a flamboyant display of public art in its Metro stations.  Indeed, The website Twisted Sifter relays the claim that the system is basically “the world’s longest art exhibit”:

“Travellng by metro is like travelling through an exciting story that extends from the artistic pioneers of the 1950s to the art experiments of today. Over 90 of the 100 subway stations in Stockholm have been decorated with sculptures, mosaics, paintings, installations, engravings and reliefs by over 150 artists. What a fun and inexpensive way to explore the art and culture of an incredible city like Stockholm!”

Several of the underground stations, especially on the system’s Blue Line, are left with the shape of the bedrock exposed, covered in sprayed concrete, as part of the exhibits.  At the Rissne station, says Wikipedia, a wall fresco depicting the history of Earth's civilizations runs along both sides of the platform.  In six of the stations the art is temporary and replaced periodically.

Twisted Sifter says the movement to install art in the Metro began in the mid-1950s. There are guided tours of the highlights.  Enjoy these photos garnered from the collections of photographers generous enough to license their work for public use (as always, move your cursor for the credits). 

For an especially fun presentation, watch this video (Spanish with English subtitles) of an animated host taking us on a tour of some of the highlights:

Related posts:

• The power of "creative placemaking" (January 7, 2013)
• How a tough neighborhood is building a stronger future with vivid public art (November 16, 2012)
• Public transit is for everyone, dogs too (August 13, 2012)
• The crumbling of the DC Metro (July 22, 2010)
• Amazing subway architecture (December 15, 2009)

Move your cursor over the images for credit information.