GALLERY CLOSURELETTERS FROM JEAN SELLEMTO THE LUND ADMINISTRATION25.O1.1982

Lund, January 25, 1982

Dear

Galerie S:t Petri, a non-commercial art and ideas laboratory, is in a chronic financial crisis. After eleven years, the gallery has not been able to solve its primary problem of survival.

The main difficulty, apart from the gallery’s operating costs, has always been the fixed rent. This year these amount to approximately 40,000 kronor. Despite an annual contribution of 15,000 kronor from the City of Lund and income of 30,000 kronor from the support association Galerie S:t Petri’s Friends, there remains a deficit of 30,000 kronor for 1982. This situation will soon force the gallery to close unless the City of Lund radically changes its distribution of responsibilities.

The politicians’ argument for not granting appropriate support is based on a prejudiced comparison with the activities of the Free Groups in the city. Galerie S:t Petri’s activity cannot be compared with that of the Free Groups. In its character, the gallery is closer to the country’s other art institutions — a free institution, within which, among others, the Free Groups may also appear.

The closure of Galerie S:t Petri is, from a political, economic, and cultural standpoint, indefensible in a university city such as Lund.

As the person responsible for Galerie S:t Petri, I would very much like to meet with you, in your capacity as representative, to find a constructive solution, and ask you to inform me of a suitable time.

With best regards,

Alternative version

The Galerie S:t Petri in Lund is a laboratory for ideas and art, politically and religiously independent.

The gallery was founded in 1971 with the main purpose of presenting new forms of expression in the visual arts — performance art, conceptual art, post-art, and other art forms that find it difficult to gain visibility within institutional and commercial contexts.

In this way, the gallery — strictly non-commercial — has been able to show the Swedish public innovative tendencies and new developments in art from different parts of the world.

In all cases, these are phenomena of great importance for activities related to the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

The gallery therefore regularly organizes evenings, lectures, and debates on artistic and cultural issues.

Since January 1, 1978, the gallery’s activities have received a grant of 15,000 SEK per year from the municipality of Lund. However, the annual rent for 1982 amounts to 33,000 SEK, plus about 7,000 SEK in additional expenses.

Through membership in the foundation “Galerie S:t Petri’s Friends,” anyone wishing to support the gallery’s aims can help ensure the survival of this independent, non-commercial meeting place.

Membership can be obtained by visiting the gallery in person (S:t Petri Kyrkogata 5, Mon–Fri 15:00–20:00, Sat 13:00–17:00), or by paying the annual membership fee (100 SEK) to postal account 7 81 58 – 3.

Additional contributions are, of course, gratefully received!