• Sweden edition

'Psychotic' art student charged for fake suicide

Published: 13 May 09 12:03 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19428/20090513/

Swedish art student Anna Odell has been charged by prosecutors in Stockholm for a faked suicide attempt she acted out as a part of a final art project.

Prosecutors in Stockholm have filed three charged against the 35-year-old Odell, a student at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack) in Stockholm, with violent resistance, dishonest conduct and raising a false alarm.

“Quite simply, I believe she’s guilty of these crimes,” said public prosecutor Stefan Lind to TV4 news website Nyhetskanalen.se.

Odell’s alleged crimes took place on January 21st of this year when she was apprehended by police on Stockholm’s Liljeholm bridge following what looked like an attempt to commit suicide.

She was then taken to the psychiatric ward at St. Göran’s Hospital for treatment, only revealing the following day that the whole episode had been faked as a part of her final art exam at Konstfack.

The incident gained wide attention, with Odell and the school being heavily criticized by leading politicians and doctors from St. Göran’s Hospital.

Earlier this week, Odell’s final exam opened at the school under the title "Okänd, kvinna 2009-349701" (‘Unidentified woman 2009-349701’), which portrays in three parts the time before, during, and after her simulated psychotic break on the bridge.

“Closed psychiatric care is the most dictatorial part of society we have, through which a patient can have all their rights taken from them. [And] it certainly needs to be, as I have also been helped by it myself. But there also needs to be control; patients are sometimes not believed,” Odell told TT in connection with the exhibition’s opening.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

12:53 May 13, 2009 by duncs
What a twit! i hope she is fined for wasting taxpayer funding.
14:40 May 13, 2009 by eZee.se
Fine her AND put her in a mental hospital for a few months treating her just like a normal patient... then let her come out and write her "report".
18:21 May 13, 2009 by abackstrom
No photos of the simulated breakdown?
18:55 May 13, 2009 by freethinker
Fine her, and any in the school who helped her do that. Hmmm... better yet send her back to the mental ward. Ovviously she intends to keep doing whatever it is she's doing, and therefor may cause harm to either herself or others.
23:45 May 13, 2009 by frey
galileo, mercator, odell.
00:24 May 14, 2009 by Puffin
Some CCTV film from when police try to get her down from the bridge in this report

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/i...ticle5130827.ab

Good that she's being prosecuted - why should the police and hospital staff have to put up with being assaulted and put in danger 'rescuing' her from the bridge as part of her school project? - bad enough if she was really ill - but at least understandable

The fact that her school is putting her 'art' in their exhibition shows a complete lack of ethics and integrity on the part of the art school.

Also is the wider issue of the lack of inpatient beds in Stockholm - perhaps she denied a bed to a person who really needed it - perhaps someone committed suicide for real as a result of her play-acting - the fact that she says on the tape that she is hoping that the exposure will give her career a boost shows the whole thing was about her ego
06:48 May 14, 2009 by Bee
throw the book ar her!
07:41 May 14, 2009 by Dazzler
...and this is why I detest modern day "artists".
09:34 May 14, 2009 by JethroGreenmantle
Wasn't the whole incident on the bridge filmed (by fellow students ?) I think I read it's on show at Konfack the graduation exhibition now. Anyone on Stockholm been to see it?

And, eZee, she did spend time 'for real' in a mental hospital a few years ago. The bridge incident is supposed to be a re-enacment of her original breakdown. And she's quoted in the article: "Closed psychiatric care is the most dictatorial part of society we have, ... it certainly needs to be, ... I have also been helped by it myself."
10:22 May 14, 2009 by Jasoncarter
I have a bit of an issue with the whole thing. I've bounced around on the fringes of the art scene in London and Stockholm. Conceptual artists are, in my experience, a bunch of 'look at me' attention seekers and more often than not twats and that's been borne out by the way she has handled the whole thing. She could have kept her head down, not spoken to every available news outlet and not allowed the controversy her work to dominate the end of year show (and overshadow the work of fellow students). But no, she was quite happy to talk to every single available media outlet and to publicise herself - going so far as to overtly say as much.

The work itself is of very little significance anyway and is more than a touch naive. Remember, this is only student work. Konstfack isn't really all that in terms of leading the global art world, and is more a very small club of stockholm based artists making art for themselves.

However, the media are also culpable in making an entire mountain range out of a molehill. This is a very very small story - student wastes police/hospital time. Happens all over the shop, every day of the week. It's not a lead story for 2 of the three news programmes I watched the other night, nor does it warrant 2 front page leads two days running in SVD. It's not that big a story, there's no real wider debate about 'how far can artists go?' to be had. The papers have been jumping on this as an excuse to run po-faced editorials and to show that they are Real Proper Serious Newspapers Grappling With The Big Questions and not at all shoddily written rags with substantially more advertising than content. Once again, it's just art students. It's not like there's a great big wave of situationist art that is threatening the status quo. Let them get on with it, slap her with a fine for wasting police time and just leave it alone.
10:35 May 14, 2009 by Inletwatcher
On the interest of art, my horrified daughter found this piece of art where this guy layed in a cold tub of water, and had his buddies place cement blocks on his chest until they seen the bubbles come out of his mouth and that "look" come about his eyes. They did revive him. He said beforehand that it was all in the interest of art.

Nor do I believe the school should be held accountable, unless the school told her to do it. Which I doubt. She should compensate for all the money spent, including those involved saleries for the hours involved with her stunt.
12:58 May 14, 2009 by Puffin
I beleive that she had her own hidden camera

She has spent time in psychaitric care - I read she is schizophrenic
13:01 May 14, 2009 by Puffin
Although she is 35 - so you'd have thought she had better judgement...
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
GOTHENBURG SCHOOL STABBING
Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

A 28-year-old man suspected of stabbing a young girl in the throat at the beginning of February has been apprehended and is being held in another country pending Sweden's extradition demand. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat

A man in Lund, southern Sweden, lay dead in his house for weeks before his body was discovered, as visiting care staff had left after the man failed to answer his door. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Sweden expels foreign official: report

The Swedish government said on Tuesday it has expelled a foreign diplomat, but spokespeople were unwilling to confirm international reports that it was a high level official from Rwanda. READ »

THE LOCAL LIST
Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

On Valentine's Day, The Local invites you on a journey of seduction through Sweden, a country which may be worth probing further when it comes to matters of love. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

With Valentine's day upon us again, The Local called for messages from the star-crossed lovers of Sweden, who sent us their loving letters and sweet tweets in a celebration of love in Sweden. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

A Swedish man set to take off on his "dream holiday" to Mexico was turned away before boarding, as flight officials claimed he shared the name of a wanted terrorist. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself'

A 29-year-old man in northern Sweden has been remanded into custody together with an accomplice after trying to extort money from his parents by pretending he had been kidnapped. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

The Swedish Government has penned a new terror strategy, upgrading Sweden’s risk status since the last plan four years ago, calling for an ‘inter-agency cooperation’ in the fight to counter terror in Sweden. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

More Society

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island

12 February 21:30

The consciousness of one »

"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »

Highlights
Photo: Rachel Davies/Flickr
DATING »
The Local helps shed some light on the tantalizing mystery known as the strong, silent Nordic type.
The Local
SOCIETY »
The Local's Oliver Gee finds out why the star of Sweden's version of 'The Office' thinks Sweden is the most PC country in the world
Micheal Brauer/Flickr (File)
SCIENCE & TECH »
'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report
Alexander Lervik and Johan Carper
LIFESTYLE »
Seven Swedish designs that will blow your mind
Eva Rinadi Celebrity and Live Music Photography/Flickr
SOCIETY »
Star Wars in Swedish causes fan outrage
www.dotoday.se
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
OLIKA Publishing
OPINION »
The Swedish language needs a new pronoun free of preconceived notions about gender, a Swedish linguist and representatives from a publishing house argue
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
SOCIETY »
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
TV4
GALLERY »
An inside look at 'The Office' in Swedish
Georgios M.W (File)
SOCIETY »
Swedish mother gave 3-year-old cigs and beer
Photo: Fredrik Persson/Scanpix
SOCIETY »
A duvet cover designed to look like cardboard boxes, on sale at a luxury department store in Stockholm, has some arguing that the city's homeless are being exploited for profit.
Ann Catrin Brockman/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision
Q&A with Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley
LIFESTYLE »
Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley explains how ‘three bespectacled English guys’ plan to make Swedes laugh
Photo: Screenshot YouTube
SOCIETY »
Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
Photo: Sony Pictures
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Millennium films tap deep into Swedish angst
Photo: Helena Wahlman
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Braving the cold: Ten reasons to spend winter in Sweden
Photo: ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

fin

adjective

Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

522 jobs available
250 new jobs this week
45 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com