Ahead of the latest Fjällräven Kånken Art launch on World Oceans Day, June 8th, The Sporting Lodge decodes the message behind the latest special edition bag.
About 71% of the Earth´s surface is covered by oceans. They produce over half of the oxygen on our planet and are home to over one million species of animals and even more plants. They are also the key regulators of the climate.
It is safe to say that every living thing on Earth is dependent on the health of our oceans; however, tragically, estimates indicate that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. That is, unless we make profound changes to our habits and the way we handle waste.
“ We share a strong value: that our future and the future of nature are intertwined. Therefore, we need to take better care of it. We need to value what we have before it’s too late.” - Linn Fritz, Illustrator and Animator.
The 2021 edition of Kånken Art aims to raise awareness about these issues and inspire change. After two successful annual releases, Kånken Art ’21 is the third edition, with a clear mission to draw attention to the problem of ocean plastics.
Launching on June 8th, 2021, which coincides with World Ocean Day, the Kånken Art ’21 products will feature designs in two colour palettes: Ocean Surface and Ocean Deep. The unique twist was developed by Swedish illustrator and animator Linn Fritz, who took the opportunity to work with Fjällräven to help generate more attention to plastic waste and the health of our oceans.
“I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity to create an art pattern for Kånken that so many people will be able to see. I wanted to bring some awareness to one of the biggest concerns facing our oceans and our planet today, and therefore, my Kånken Art became an abstract pattern inspired by pieces of plastic.”
Linn grew up in the northern countryside of Sweden, just outside Sundsvall, where she spent a great deal of time in nature. She loves spending time outdoors, leading a very active lifestyle that includes swimming, fishing, hiking, and skiing with her family and friends. As she says, “Being outside in nature is a break from everyday life. It helps me to relax, clear my head and find inspiration for work”.
Today, Linn lives in the UK, and she is also very fond of the nature there: “ The UK has wonderful nature that feels very similar to Sweden. Living in London, I do not spend as much time in nature as I would ideally like to, but that has definitely made me appreciate it so much more”.
Specifically, Linn lives in East London, where she works independently, creating clean and precise imagery for a wide range of commercial clients. She is also co-founder of Panimation, which is “a community of equality-driven women, trans, and non-binary friends aiming to connect and support each other within the gaming industry.
In London, Linn primarily works as a digital artist, handling numerous quick-turnaround projects and tight deadlines. Working with Fjällräven on Kånken Art ’21, however, was not a typical project. In fact, it was a partnership with perfectly aligned beliefs. “ We share a strong value: that our future and the future of nature are intertwined. Therefore, we need to take better care of it. We need to value what we have before it’s too late.”
The partnership with Fjällräven also allowed Linn to work more methodically and explore new creative horizons. As she describes it, “From the very first introduction email … we have always had an easy-going and friendly relationship. It’s been an enjoyable journey to develop this artwork together with someone who listens, understands and explains their feedback in a very beneficial way”.
