färgernas

Färgernas, meaning "the colors" in Swedish, is the name given to a loosely defined cultural concept that emerged in Sweden in the late 1960s. It framed color as the central medium of expression and social perception, rather than merely a decorative attribute. The term is used in art histories and design criticism to describe a cluster of experiments in painting, installation, textiles, and public programming focused on color experience.

Originating among groups of artists, designers, and educators in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, Färgernas encompassed collaborative mural projects, color studies in urban spaces, and reader-friendly manifestos published in the early 1970s. Projects often involved participatory workshops, site-specific color interventions, and public demonstrations intended to reshape everyday environments. The movement sought to democratize color, linking perceptual psychology with accessible design and community engagement. While not unified by a single doctrine, participants shared interest in how hue, saturation, and light could influence mood, behavior, and social interaction.

Reception and legacy: In art and design discourse, Färgernas is discussed as part of postwar European explorations of color. Critics highlighted both opportunities for inclusive aesthetics and risks of color over-form. Although the coordinated activities waned after the late 1970s, the ideas persisted in public art programs, color education, and contemporary design practices influenced by color-saturation and experiential environments.