Nimis, Driftwood sculpture installation in Kullaberg Nature Reserve, Sweden
Nimis is a driftwood sculpture near Höganäs composed of several interconnected towers and chambers built directly against the rocks beneath the coastal cliffs. The construction uses wood washed ashore by the sea, assembled with nails into walkways, platforms, and tall scaffolds.
Lars Vilks started building in 1980 following a personal experience at sea and expanded the installation over several decades despite objections from authorities. The structure later changed ownership through symbolic donations to other artists.
The artist declared the wooden structure, along with a neighboring stone sculpture, the foundation of its own micronation that still attracts supporters from different countries. Visitors can spot messages and marks left by earlier guests on the wooden walls, engaging with the idea of art created without official permission.
The route to the sculpture starts at Himmelstorpsgården café and follows markers on stones and trees through sloping ground down to the coast. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and take extra care during wet weather, as the wooden construction can become slippery.
The construction is continually damaged by storms and repaired by volunteers, so its form changes over time. Some parts of the structure extend over the water and are fully accessible only during low tide.
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