Tokion recently put on our gloves, scarves and wooly socks to spend a few days in Stockholm Sweden to celebrate Absolut Vodka’s 30 years of creative collaborations and the Absolut Art Collection. Absolut’s collaboration with the arts started with Andy Warhol painting the first art ad for the vodka brand. The Absolut Art Collection comprises more than 800 pieces, and for the first time ever, the entire collection has been given a permanent home in Sweden at the new Historical Museum of Wine and Spirits.

The celebrations in Stockholm kicked off with a panel discussion centered on commissioned art and whether it’s a boost to artists or a sell out. The panel featured past Absolut-commissioned artists Dan Wolgers, Douglas Gordon, Sylvie Fleury and Tokion Creativity Now alum David Shrigley. Everyone pretty much agreed that commissioned work was no big deal, and if you were to snuggle up with an unlikely bedfellow, what better choice than a bottle of fine Swedish vodka. This was followed by the awarding of the first-ever Absolut Art Award to Keren Cytter. The yearly prize awards 15,000 Euros to a young international artist exploring creativity through the integration of art forms. Later that night we had the privilege of attending the black tie dinner, sitting amongst some of the most fascinating creative and increasingly drunk minds of the day. Never one to forego the opportunity to show off the tux, we headed out into the night and were by far the best dressed.

The final night was a full-blown party of performances and cocktails that left us feeling the spirit of art. As for the future, Absolut announced its next collaboration with filmmaker Spike Jonze, so check back here for updates on what is sure to be a beautiful project.

(Photo from night two of the Absolut Art Collection Celebrations in Stockholm, October 30–31, 2009. All images: Peter Rutherhagen/©KNOCK.)