Grødegejster, agerånder

21 straw plaitings from 21 different kinds of wild grasses collected in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Poster with guide for plaiting straw, newspaper, 39 x 56cm

Plaiting or braiding straw has been practiced in Northern Europe as a pre-christian ritual in agricultural cultures. The braids are based on a belief about the spirits of the field, who live in the straw. When the straws are cut away at harvest, the spirits gather in the last straws in the field, which are braided and preserved for sowing in the spring. With this ritual the spirits are preserved in the soil for fertility and a good harvest.

The work has been installed at Østfold Kunstsenter (NO), Voss Kunstforening (NO) and Grænselandsudstillingen (DK).  2022