7:39 a.m.
Dear all, Swedish, Intermedial, international friends and colleagues to Ola.
This is a terrible message to write. I must inform you that our friend and colleague Ola
Ståhl from Design passed away Tuesday February 3rd. I have not been informed about the
cause of death.
I met Ola about a decade ago at a weird research speeddating event and we quickly
found out that we clicked: we had common interests in art, theory, experimental literature
and, slightly later, the ecological crisis and the idea of the “anthropocene". Among
other things. We liked to hang out in Malmö, to have a beer or to check out an exhibition.
Our collaboration grew tighter over the years: with other colleagues we developed
and co-taught the Climate Emergency Studies MA-course and BA-course, we taught classes at
Design, we were part of exciting EUniwell-collaborations and shared long train rides to
Kassel, Köln, Venice, Florence. For me it was an intellectual adventure. We had a great
time and I learned a lot from Ola.
Charming, lively, engaged Ola was loved by students, and I think teaching was what
he enjoyed most in academia - apart from sketching future projects and events perhaps.
A few years ago he became part of the IMS where he was involved in the Artist in
Residence program and he lead the IMS: Green group, first with Niklas, then with me.
I know many of you have had conversations with Ola, met him at seminars and events,
perhaps taken part of his knowledge on art, Documenta, Deleuze or Guattari, Krautrock or
something else. Ola was a great addition to IMS, and we will miss him. I have lost an
inspiration and a friend and a creator of new exciting milieus and educations; engaged in
things that matter.
If some of you need to talk I am of course available - just send a mail or call me.
On February 24 11.00 there will be a memorial event at Lnu in Växjö - more information via
Medarbetare soon.
Let us take a moment to remember the wonderful smile and the charm and intelligence
of kind Ola. I hope he will rest in peace.
Jørgen
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