Interview with Malin and Gustaf Tadaa

A conversation with Malin and Gustaf Tadaa about the breath, the technique behind the works, and working together as an artist duo. This text is free to use.

Press images, video and music are on the press page.

The inspiration behind ANDETAG

What was the original idea that led to ANDETAG?

Malin Tadaa: I have always used my breath as a tool to reconnect with myself in difficult moments. Breathing is a natural part of life, but when we become aware of it, it can become a powerful instrument for managing stress and connecting with the body. With ANDETAG, we wanted to create a space where others could experience that same calming power.

Is there a personal connection between breathing and the creation of this art?

Malin: Absolutely. During my pregnancy and childbirth, I realized how crucial breathing is in managing physical and emotional challenges. It has been a central part of my artistic journey. ANDETAG is about giving visitors the opportunity to meet themselves through art and breath.

Gustaf Tadaa: As parents, breathing has become a tool in our daily lives. If our children wake up at night feeling scared, we breathe together to calm them. I often tell them that their breath is a friend they always have with them, a guide that can help them in difficult times. That philosophy runs through the entire exhibition.

The exhibition's purpose and meaning

What do you hope visitors take away from experiencing ANDETAG?

Malin: I hope they feel curious about exploring their inner world in new ways. My breath is embedded in the artworks, acting as a guide for visitors to find their own. It is a reminder that we always carry our breath as a tool throughout life.

How does ANDETAG differ from other art experiences in Stockholm?

Gustaf: It is not just an artwork to be observed. It is something you experience with your entire body. The combination of light, sound, and movement is designed to create a meditative yet grand atmosphere.

Why is it important to create a space for reflection and calm in Stockholm?

Gustaf: Stockholm is a city where people are always in motion. The metro symbolizes this fast pace. By placing ANDETAG there, we wanted to show that it is possible to pause, even in the middle of a step.

The artistic process

How do you combine traditional techniques with modern technology?

Malin: I weave all the textiles myself at Sweden's oldest weaving mill, Ekelunds Linneväveri, using organic materials and optical fibres. It has taken years of experimentation to develop techniques that merge textiles with light. Technology allows us to tell stories in entirely new ways.

How do you work together as the artist duo Tadaa?

Malin: We are not just artistic partners, we are also married and have two children together. I shape the physical form of the works, their bodies, while Gustaf creates their soul through programming and algorithms. Being a family and working together makes art a natural part of our daily lives.

Gustaf: Our collaboration is like a dance between the material and the digital. We challenge each other and find balance in our different perspectives. Our family life gives us additional inspiration in how we think about time, breath, and connection.

The visitor experience

How do you want visitors to feel when they step into the exhibition?

Gustaf: We wanted to create a space that feels both safe and exciting. It is a journey through light and sound, where every detail is designed to give visitors a moment of self-reflection and peace.

What makes each experience unique?

Gustaf: Every artwork breathes in its own way, thanks to a generative algorithm. That means what you see and experience is completely unique. It will never be repeated.

Malin: At the same time, all the pieces are synchronized globally. You can stand in Stockholm and breathe in the same rhythm as someone in New York or Costa Rica. It creates a powerful sense of connection.

The present moment and the future

Why is an exhibition like ANDETAG important today?

Gustaf: In a world that moves faster and faster, we need places for reflection and contemplation. ANDETAG is a reminder that we all carry an immense inner strength, if we only take the time to discover it.

What are you looking forward to in the future?

Malin: ANDETAG is designed to tour, and we look forward to showcasing it in other cities and countries. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long journey.

Gustaf: We want to continue exploring how technology and art can create experiences that are both grand and intimate. ANDETAG is our way of sharing that vision with the world.

To arrange an interview of your own, contact Gustaf Tadaa, gustaf@tadaa.se.