week 9 post 3, Uppsala Ljus in November

With the weather taking a turn for worse in this part of the world, moods also follow suit. I have overheard several conversations about the dread for the month of November in Sweden. I heard all about how dark it is, no snow, no holidays, just cold and dark. The town of Uppsala has done a little to help with the somber November moods among its people. 'Uppsala Ljus' has arrived, and the lights in the street lamps have been changed to different colors, creating much excitement around town. People are out admiring the lights when the sun sets, and especially enjoy making their way to the river for a music and light show that plays every night in November at 6pm. Similar to Kultur Natten, the personality of Uppsala shows when events such as this are put on, and also more importantly, the towns values. The Uppsala Ljus is very creative, artistic, and leaves much up to the viewer to contemplate. There is nothing about the event that explains why it is being held or how it is supposed to make you feel, its simply just extra decoration to brighten everyones mood. Such 'public art' is popular in the U.S as well, the Lincoln Park Zoo lights come to mind that I visited last year:

Uppsala can be seen as a very diverse city with much respect for the arts by putting something on within their space rather than in one designated area. Many towns in the States have minimal decoration throughout, and often have spectacles confined to one area. By putting the event in front of people and not giving them an option to view it or not, the town of Uppsala can be viewed a little differently than towns that confine their decor. Perhaps the arts are more highly regarded and more infused into society here, especially when considering the way the lights fit in with the landscape in Uppsala compared to the way they stick out in the landscape in Chicago.