In Ströms perspective, pregnancy was an abstract process, which didn’t become real until he held his son for the first time. Confronted by the immensity of birth, and becoming a father, he questioned his own importance. Carl-Mikael understood his unimportance. A feeling about the vision of his inner self. Being present was more important than being a father. He tried to fit those emotions into thoughts. It led him into writing approximately 1700 journal pages during his son’s first year.
‘Montöristen’ is the diary of those who lose themselves and look for reconciliation. The book follows Ström’s inside journey as he becomes a new father. A new man. New paradigms. As he looks for a balance between love and self-preservation. The title is a Swedish neologism. Comes from the word “monteur”: to put something together, to assemble. That is how Ström sees himself. He creates and then he puts “it” together.Neither the images or text are the explanation of each other. Ström finds himself torn between his desire for creation and the reality of family life. - Void