In 2022, the artwork ”Monument over a pine tree” was inaugurated at Järvenskolan in Katrineholm. Several years later, it still evokes strong emotions.

In December 2022, Katrineholms-Kuriren reported that the artwork consists of a tree stump soaked in what is supposed to resemble resin, as well as amber-like droplets with findings from the location where the tree stump was found, resembling candy wrappers. 800,000 kronor of taxpayers’ money was used.

– The droplets are transparent and they sparkle when the sun shines on them. The art was created in a workshop in Nyköping. First, we had to saw off some branches and then remove the bark before we could apply epoxy (a plastic-like adhesive, ed. note), said Johan Tirén, who, together with Anna Högberg, created the artwork.

According to principal Magdalena Norin, the art must be given space as it is important for all citizens regardless of age.

Viral clip

In a clip on TikTok that has received a lot of attention, the issue of expensive so-called art is addressed using the example from Katrineholm:

@poyan.sandnell1 The stump for 800,000 SEK! ????️ Digital Debate Here I am at the stump for 800,000 kronor. Comment, what do you think it should cost? I want to raise these kinds of questions to create digital debate about how we use our common money, not to take a political stance. This is not about party politics, but about transparency, dialogue, and engagement in municipalities. Everyone is welcome to have their say, different perspectives make us wiser. What do you think? ???????? #Debate #News #mollysandén #Sweden #Engagement ♬ originalljud – Poyan Sandnell

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