Sunday, September 06, 2009

Aspuddsbadet (Aspudden public bath)


This place is within a stone´s throw of my home, and I went to draw it yesterday with sorrow in my heart. The old public bath in Aspudden in Stockholm will be torn down to give room for a new kindergarten. The City made the decision a few days ago, and many people (including myself) are incredibly upset about this. Built 1919, this bath is a pearl, a unique piece of history, offering bathing experiences that you don´t find anywhere else. Or how about a swim and a movie (shown on the wall above the pool), or an all ladies night with candles lit around the edge of the water? And, of course, since the pool is rather small and not so deep, this place is a favorite for families with young kids living in the area.

I don´t know if the last word is said yet about the demolition, the local organisation that runs the bath and the people who use it and love it have been fighting for this place for a long time, and the discussions are lively right now. We´ll see what happens...

Till Stockholmare och andra hugade som vill påverka: gå gärna in på Madeleine Sjöstedts (fp) blogg och tala om vad ni tycker om beslutet:
Kommentera rivningsbeslutet

(The above is a chance for people in Stockholm to comment on the political decision on a Swedish politician´s blog.)

26,5 x 19,5 cm, pencil, Lamy Safari with Noodler´s Lexington grey ink and watercolours on Moleskine Watercolor Folio page.

12 comments:

Shirley said...

Nina,
Your beautiful sketch would make a great poster for the group that is trying to save it! Hope the neighborhood can rally around the effort to save it.
Shirley

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Oh, best of luck with saving this beauty, Nina! You've done a beautiful job of saving it in your own way, but keeping it open for people to enjoy would be even better...

We've lost so much in this country,too--restoration always makes my heart smile.

Possum Patty said...

All of the paintings on this page are wonderful! I feel as if I am your guest and you are showing me around your neighborhood. With an everchanging landscape, your pictures will become historical records of how things were. I wish you lots of luck in saving a piece of history!

Kelly said...

Beautiful drawing. Sorry about the building... it sounds like it holds many wonderful memories and great history. Maybe things will turn around and it will be saved.

vickylw said...

It would be such a shame to lose this lovely building. I hope the decision is turned.

Dan Kent said...

Maybe all they need to do is change the sign to G O O D. :) Good luck - I hope it can be saved. And, of course, great painting, as always.

Deborah said...

What a shame to lose this facility. Sounds like a great place that makes great memories. You have captured the warmth and coziness of the building.

Anonymous said...

I hope that the decision is not final. It would be a great loss.We need places like this that are part of our memory.
The ladies' night with candles seems so relaxing!
May be your posts are going to bring more attention to it.
As always, a beautiful watercolor.

Jesse said...

What a pity to lose a golden old beauty which you've captured perfectly. Maybe you could print this as a poster in hopes of reversing the decision to demolish this old bath house that holds so many memories for the neighborhood's people.

Jesse

Anonymous said...

this is gorgeous! I love it. I hope the building will survive--if your painting does it justice, it's beautiful, and deserves to be saved.

Rosalia Lerner said...

Your work is so special,great !!!
So sensitive ,I'll follow . congratulations
All the best
Rosália

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