Photo : Photo Nathalie Ericson
At Work: Erik Gärdefors (Grift)
"At Work" is a series of events at the Swedish Institute where we invite an artist to intervene in the current exhibition. Here, Erik Gärdefors (Grift) responds musically to "Sun and Moon. Andreas Eriksson in dialogue with Ivan Aguéli."
Institut Suédois (Paris 3rd)
About
Within the "Sun and Moon" exhibition, which presents the monumental and organic work of Andreas Eriksson alongside the light-bathed small formats of Ivan Aguéli, Erik Gärdefors (Grift) unfolds his sonic travel diary. Using electroacoustic sounds, field recordings, and audiovisual ambiances, he creates atmospheres where imminent moments and unexpected memories surface.
Deeply attached to his native region of Västergötland in Sweden, Erik Gärdefors (Grift) composes a universe blending sounds and ambient landscapes, inspired by flora, fauna, and folklore often forgotten by modern humans. The result is eclectic, partly uncontrollable music that only obscure forces seem able to tame.
With over ten years on the road, Erik Gärdefors is now a sought-after stage artist who performs extensively as a soloist. The uniqueness of his personal universe has led him to play at numerous festivals and events, including Roadburn Festival (Netherlands), Fekete Zaj Fesztivál (Hungary), L’Homme Sauvage (France), Fortress Festival (United Kingdom), Hradby Samoty (Slovakia), Culthe Fest (Germany), and Mystic Festival (Poland).
Practical information:
Free admission subject to availability
Our take on this event
Step into a sonic travelogue where Swedish landscapes collide with raw, electroacoustic experimentation. Discover how an artist channels the forgotten echoes of flora, fauna, and Nordic folklore into a hauntingly beautiful, immersive performance.
The Swedish Institute invites you to a unique sound performance by Erik Gärdefors, known as Grift, on Thursday, January 7, 2027. Set within the current 'Soleil et Lune' exhibition, the artist presents an immersive audio travelogue that blends field recordings with electroacoustic textures. This exploration of the Swedish landscape of Västergötland is free to attend from 19:00 to 20:00, subject to venue capacity. The event is designed to be fully inclusive, featuring wheelchair accessibility, support for deaf or hearing-impaired attendees, as well as provisions for blind or visually impaired guests and those with cognitive disabilities, including sign language integration.
On January 7, 2027, experience the evocative work of Erik Gärdefors at the Swedish Institute in Paris. Between 19:00 and 20:00, the artist, performing as Grift, will showcase a soundscape performance inspired by his home region of Västergötland. His compositions weave together ambient natural sounds and folklore elements, creating a bridge between his personal artistic journey and the themes of the 'Soleil et Lune' exhibition. Having performed at major international events like the Roadburn Festival and the Fortress Festival, Gärdefors brings his intimate solo craft to the heart of the 3rd arrondissement. Entry to this performance is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to limited space. The venue is committed to inclusivity, offering full wheelchair access and specific adaptations for visitors with cognitive or physical disabilities. Sign language support and specialized facilities for deaf, hearing-impaired, blind, or visually impaired visitors ensure that the performance is accessible to all members of the public.
