Mary Sandell
Åsiktskorridor - welcome or unwelcome shelter?
Under the school exhibit theme “Shelter,” this piece asks the questions: is all shelter
benevolent? How does unwanted shelter imposed on the individual by society affect
the individual and society? Finally, what power does the individual have to shelter
themselves from unwelcomed shelter?
This interactive installation addresses the Swedish concept of “Åsiktskorridor” which is
the space in which public conversation is deemed acceptable. Literally, it is a defined
corridor of opinions. Much like the “politically correct” wave in the USA, the Swedish
corridor regulates what is allowed to be discussed by using shame and ostracism as
tools to silence anything deemed too bold to be allowed in the corridor. However,
Sweden’s smaller size and limited information outlets can strengthen the power of the
chilling effect.
This exhibit will present opinions that skirt the edges of being allowed in the
Åsiktskorridor and will ask participants to engage by adding topics with provided pen
and paper. Visitors will be reminded that opening up for discussion in no way signals
agreement or disagreement with the topic at hand. They can also add topics using pen
and paper. All of the statements will be collected on a single sheet that visitors can
take home to discuss.
The exhibit will use anslagstavlor to reflect the ways of the recent past regarding
communication of opinion and will include pillars as existed in the more distant past of
Agora Greece, where people went for assembly and discussion.
Who controls the korridor? If not you, why not? and why not change that?
