Signs in dialogue is an art project intended
to visualize innermost human dialogue with God


Photo: Janne Jönsson

Signs in dialogue in Lund was a joint venture between the artist Kerstin Jakobsson, the Cathedral of Lund and the Diosece of Lund. 

What a fantastic ideá 

A presentation of the response to Signs in dialogue 
in the Cathedral of Lund, June 2006 

The project in Lund - an artperformance and 
a textile image 

Bare and dark golden, the 850 year old cathedral 
meets man with history and silence. As bare as 
all humans are in their inner sanctums in front of God. 
This was the artists theme for her piece of art for the 
Cathedral of Lund, named "With this sign - hear my prayer". 
When the image was half done, she moved it to the cathedral 
to continue her work as an art performance. During this 
time the public was invited to become co creators. Each 
participant gave a sign to the piece of art, representing a 
symbolic imprint of their most personal inner space. Even 
the most awkward of symbols was thus worth the greatest
of respect wich was reflected by the artistic qualities in 
choice of material and expression. The art work is made of 
hand woven linen with embroideries in silk, linen and
wool. The work will be completed during the fall of 2006 
and have the dimensions 185 cm by 210 cm. 

Realisation 
A simplistic scene was created, well visible in the middle 
of the church. The few attributes, in the form of furniture 
and clothing, was anchored to the historic room through 
color and material in order to create a serene and open 
athmosphere. The location in the church room worked 
very well. When the visitors sat down by the embroidery 
table, they virtually left all others behind. Infront of 
them was an open and peaceful space, up and towards
the high altar.



The visitors reactions
The reception was incredibly positive. 212 persons from all corners of the world gave a personal sign to 
the piece of art. Hundreds of others talked together with the artist about the project. All expressed
the same emotion 'What a fantastic idea!'
Humankinds width of variation was expressed both through the choice of symbols and in the ways 
they choose to share their inner thoughts. Many were deeply touched by the possibility of expressing 
themselves through a work of art. Inhabitants of Lund, having read about the project in the local news, 
arrived with well prepared scetches. Tourists passing through attached their presence in time and space 
with spontaneity and surprised joy. Many wished to take part in the project to be able to express a 
positive world fellowship beyond differences in beliefs and origin. The combination of participation 
and individuality was the main reason so many opted to take part.


Photo: Pontus Tideman

 
Participating texts
I picked a sign of eternity where 
we all are parts of a joint chain 
with both dark and light moments 
in our lives. 
Gunilla

The inevitable song of praise. 
Anonymous man
      
The unfinished leaf, still unfolding. 
Cordelia

What a peaceful 
experience.
Gina

Since I do not 
intend to lose 
hope due to 
severe illness, 
I embroider the 
symbol of the 
anchor. I always 
have hope left.
Ingrid

Before you Lord, 
we, the children 
of the world 
comes. Lord, 
hear our prayer.
Sigbritt

Thank you for lifes 
colossal strength. 
The insignificant 
in the magnificent. 
The magnificent in 
the insignificant.
Anonymous



Photo: Pontus Tideman		 
Signs in dialogue in brief
The art project was initiated by the artist Kerstin Jakobsson. The pilot 
project in the Cathedral of Lund during June of 2006, was a joint 
venture between the artist, the Cathedral of Lund and the Diocese 
of Lund. The artist was active in the cathedral for 13 days (66 hours). 
During the art performance, 212 visitors participated with one sign 
each. Additional hundreds of visitors talked together with the artist 
about the project. All participants did their own scetches of the 
signs they donated to the piece of art. Approximately 25 per cent 
of the participants did their own embroidery while the remainder 
of the participants delegated the actual embroidery to the artist. 
Approximately 80 per cent of the participants were women. All 
ages were represented. Tourists fromabout 10 different countries 
took part. 133 participants choosed to write down the thoughts 
they attached about their personal sign in the book.


Photo: The Artist

 
The artists reflexions
The time in the Cathedral of Lund was intense and filled with meetings. 
Some signs were made in silent fellowship, while other participants 
wished to share their deepest thougts about signs that had been part 
of their lives for a long time. I particularly recollect a woman from 
Denmark who visited the cathedral as a tourist and then could not let 
go of the thoughts of the project. After two weeks she traveled the 
long way back to Lund in order to, in deepest gratitude before God, 
deliver a joyful remembrance of her husband.



Signs in dialogue allows people to visualise themselves as spiritual beings

in a positive world fellowship beyond differences in beliefs and origin. 


Manifesto for Signs in dialogue
When one lights a candle in church, together witha a prayer or a greeting, mans innermost dialogue 
with God takes shape. The artist Kerstin Jakobsson wishes to visualize this short moment of presence 
together with the public in the art project ”Signs in dialogue”. The artist creates a piece 
of art in textile, interpreting the meeting between the sacred room and its visitors. During a period of 
this creation she works 'on stage' in the stillnes of the church, inviting visitors to become co creators. 
They are welcome to add a simple sign to the piece of art, with the same direction of thought as they 
have when they light a candle in the church. They will also be given the opportunity to write down 
thoughts in an adjacent book. The signs and the texts will give shape to mans strive towards the elusive.