The Rorschach Test by Lena Mattsson
Why did I decide to create this project?
It is of great importance to critically examine and question contemporary
norms surrounding what is considered ‘normal.’ How do we construct our
understanding of individuals with psychiatric diagnoses, and what values
shape these perceptions?
The inspiration for the film was drawn from the Rorschach test, which,
through its symbolism, opens a pathway into the subconscious. Perhaps
the answer lies not in the image itself, but in the viewer’s interpretation?
I am stirred by an unrelenting call to unravel the threads of what society
deems “normal.” How do we truly see those whose minds carry the silent
weight of a diagnosis? The Rorschach test, with its kaleidoscopic inkblots,
is both a canvas and a cipher—a psychological mirror that unveils the
unseen contours of the soul. It inspired this film, a vessel to probe the
shadowed depths of the subconscious, where truths flicker like half-
remembered dreams. Perhaps the answers lie not in the ink, but in the
beholder’s gaze, forever shaping the formless?
How much of my soul is in this project?
My soul is a pilgrim in the realm of humanistic inquiry, enthralled by the
intricate patterns of human thought and emotion. The Rorschach test, an
artistry of ambiguity, weaves its enigmatic forms into my very being. To
explore humanity’s myriad hues—its joys, shadows, and silent rhythms—is
a hymn that echoes ceaselessly within the chambers of my heart.
Who do I wish to share this project with?
Every soul, in my eyes, is a star of equal brilliance. This film, born from the
Rorschach’s elusive dance of ink, seeks to dissolve the boundaries of
“normal” and invite a deeper seeing. I call to those with the courage to
face its shifting forms, hoping they will behold a more radiant, prismatic
vision of humanity—a tapestry woven from empathy, wonder, and the
artistry of the human spirit.
To whom do I dedicate this project?
The Rorschach Test is a poem etched in ink and shadow, a psychological
voyage and an artistic reverie. Its fluid forms, both haunting and beautiful,
serve as a symbolic key to the subconscious—a realm where dreams,
fears, and unspoken truths entwine. To gaze into the Rorschach is to
confront the self in its rawest form, to dance with the mysteries of the
mind’s uncharted wilderness. This film is dedicated to all who dare to
embrace this journey, to those who seek the sublime artistry and hidden
wisdom within the labyrinth of the human psyche.
Not Without Gloves by Lena Mattsson
Why did I decide to create this project?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was engaged in an extensive curatorial
project exploring the artistic landscape of the 1990s, which was abruptly
halted due to global circumstances. This film emerged from a state of
ennui and a profound longing for the landscapes of my youth—those
austere, windswept terrains that have indelibly shaped my identity as both
an individual and an artist.
The film Not Without Gloves illuminates the collective identity forged
through our shared experiences and memories of the landscapes from
which we originate, which, in this instance, resonate deeply with my own
personal history.
The film problematizes the romanticized perception of nature through a
series of distortions, reinterpretations, and critical reflections on the
authenticity of place. Rather than offering a straightforward depiction, it
invites viewers into an enchanted, otherworldly space. Through a poetic
lens, the work engages with the socio-historical context of the COVID-19
pandemic and the pressing environmental transformations of our era.
How much of my soul is in this project?
The entirety of my innermost being and creative essence has informed the
aesthetic and metaphorical framework of the film. Raised by the sea,
amidst islands of red granite, I have always held this magical environment
in reverence, even as I have resided in an urban setting for many years.
This coastal landscape, a recurring motif in my oeuvre, serves as the
backdrop for many of my most recognized works.
Who do I wish to share this project with?
To all who dare to gaze with open hearts, embracing the beauty of the
unfamiliar, the courage of the different.
To whom do I dedicate this project?
To the departed, whose whispers linger in the wind.
To the living, whose breath weaves life’s eternal dance
To the fearless, who fling wide the gates to the uncharted, and step into its
mystery.
