Will you be at the Opening at Carlsberg?

This week on Wednesday 3rd the big turn around on the Copenhagen gallery scene is more or less complete. Before the crisis Copenhagen galleries were situated in three different areas: Valby, Islands Brygge and Bredgade. During the last six months a number of galleries have closed down. Fortunately most of them have re-opened in new fascilities. Now Copenhagen galleries are situated in three new areas: Kødbyen, Carlsberg and Bredgade. And this week - is the week for the big opening of the new art area in Carlsberg.

In Carlsberg you will meet two of the established Copenhagen galleries: Galleri Nicolai Wallner and Nils Stærk. But apart from them you will also meet IMO - a new gallery run by artists, Garagen - a new exhibitionplace for student of the Danish Art Academy and Kopenhagen.dk - the onlineplace to be if you want to be updated on the Danish art scene.

The opening in Carlsberg isn't just about creating a stir it is a very ambitious project that creates a entirely new setting for the Copenhagen gallery scene. Up until now Danish galleries have looked more or less the same: small exhibitionplaces shoving small but precise shows.

In Carlberg the galleries will have huge spaces with lots of space for huge art works. Not that huge in itselft is good - it is however a fresh alternative and it will give room for exhibitions unlike the ones we see all the time in Denmark.

I sure am looking forward to seeing the new galleriespaces in Carlsberg. And I wish them the best of luck.

I hope to see you at 5 pm Wednesday 3rd on Ny Carlsbergvej 68, 1760 Kbh V. Will you be there?

Art regards

Birgitte

What do you think?

Right now Stephen Ives has a solo show at ADCO:Venue in Copenhagen. The show is called: The Resistible Rise of a Bear of Little Brain.

At the show you see the once innocent Pooh Bear from The Hundred Acre Forrest mixed with images of war. It is a story about power, corruption, hypocrisy, war and propaganda and in connection with the Pooh Bear the story becomes even more disturbing. Or would you rather argue, that the Pooh Bear adds a twist of humour that makes it more easy to digest?

What do you think?

I recommend you go and see the show or at least see Stephen Ives' artworks at www.gallery-venue.com.

Unlike previous blog posts I will not say more about these works right now. Instead I invite you to see the show for yourself and give your comment here on the blog.

Tell me what you think about it - how it makes you feel - does it make you think, wonder and ponder - or are you left numb?

I am curious and looking forward to hearing from you.

Art regards

Birgitte

Art Communicates - What do you want to say?

I want to share this photo When a Country Falls in Love with Itself by Elmgreen & Dragset with you. It is one of my favourite examples of how art communicates.

A mirror in front of The Little Mermaid. A small change with a big effect. Suddenly the essence of the Danish landmark changes. The mermaid no longer gazes towards far horizons instead she is more occupied with her own reflection. Her interest in others is replaced by self-absorbation.

As the tittle suggests the photo is meant as a critique of the Danish foreign policy. And the dialogue is about nationalsymbols, nationalism as opposed to globalisation and global resposibility.

But the themes of this work: the others/myself, curiosity/self-sufficiency, development/being deadlocked are essential themes that start our inner dialogue.

When I help my clients finding the right art for their company my main focus is on art as communication not just decoration. We always work carefully with what it is they want to communicate with their art. And this a fine example of art that makes you stop and wonder. It talks to you and makes you think.

I am curious... what do you think when watching When a Country Falls in Love with itself?

Art Regards

Birgitte

Are you coming to Frieze Art Fair?

I know it is a bit silly. But I am in a hectic state of excitement. I just booked tickets to London. I am going to Frieze Art Fair in October and I just can't wait!!

About 150 of the worlds most prestigious and exciting contemporary art galleries will be showing the best artists and the best works of art. There will be specially commissioned artist's projects, artist talks, tours you name it - and I will be there!

Only two Danish galleries will be attending: Andersen's contemporary and Nicolai Wallner. If you plan to go to Frieze don't miss them. They both show some of the most important Danish contemporary artists like Jeppe Hein, Elmgreen & Dragset, Henrik Plenge Jakobsen, John Kørner and Olafur Eliasson.

Are you coming to Frieze? I plan to make private Frieze tours for my clients - if you are interested in joining you are welcome to contact me. Frieze is massive and it is impossible to see and take in everything. I put together a tour of what I think are must-sees. Take care - you might just catch the art fever. I promise you it will be one very special art experience ;-))

Art Regards

Birgitte

Have you seen The Collectors in Venice?

At this year's Venice Biennale the Danish and Nordic Pavilions joined forces to host The Collectors curated and staged by the great duo Elmgreen & Dragset.

More than 20 international artists have contributed to the pavilion's domestic settings. A strangely uncomfortable atmosphere haunts these pavilions emphasized by the dead body of the collector floating in the pool.

I must admit, that I have not yet seen this year's Biennale, but there is no chance in hell that I'll miss it. Fortunately it doesn't end till November 22. And, surely, I am going to see The Collectors.

Also I wouldn't miss the Dutch Pavilion. Here Fiona Tan presents Disorient a video installation that as far as I'm told should be no less than fantastic.

Her art triggers me - it sucks me in. I love what she does... her visual and literal definitions of meaning capture me. Make me stop. Invite me to see small glimpses of new meanings. I just can't wait to see her in Venice.

The US Pavilion by Bruce Nauman is a must see. His installation Topoligical Gardens won the Golden Lion for best national participation.

Nauman is perhaps best known for his neon sculptures and playful

use of language. In Venice Nauman's installation provides a four-decade survey of his work.

Have you been to this years Venice Biennale? If so please tell me what you recommend seeing. If not then go to Venice!

It is the wold championship of art. All the best contemporary art is present and it is diverse, fun, interesting, invigorating, enlightening, challenging, disturbing, dangerous, fantastic, strange, beautiful, founded in history - and romantic... What can I say... it's art - it's Venice!

Art Regards

Birgitte

Are there no good galleries in Côte d'Azur?

I have enjoyed my holidays here in Côte d'Azur for about 10 days now. The bluest ocean, the mildest breeze and the hottest sun - It is fabulous as always. And luckily I am here for another couple of weeks.

But I sense a bit of frustration coming up. Where are all the good galleries in this neighbourhood? Are there none or am I just ignorant? Anyone - I can use some help here!

Naturally, I have been to the fantastic Maeght Museum in Saint-Paul. Highly recommendable! The architecture is a story of itself... the atmosphere is calming and while you walk in the Giacometti courtyard or breathe in the great Miro's or Chaggall's you can't help but fall even more in love with Côte d'Azur.  

Another favourite of mine is the Musée Picasso in Antibes. It is newly renovated and a fantastic site. The Château Grimaldi with it's stone walls and floors is a beautiful and authentic scene for Picasso's work. I love his crazyness. 

His happy yet disturbing Fauns. His surprising figures. They make me laugh. They make my children laugh - and believe me, they have been dragged to numerous museums and galleries and would so much rather be at the beach. 

BUT still - I have this gallery fever coming up. I crave contemporary art. And I can't find any serious galleries here? So - please help me out ... Paris is too far away! 

Art regards

Birgitte

Bikes and Butterflies

Check this Art Bike out!

High profiled artist Damien Hirst and Tour de France winner Lance Amstrong both have a fairly good sense of putting themselves in the spotlight. This time they do it together.

Damien Hirst has decorated one of Lance Amstrong's Tour de France bikes. The bike is covered with butterflies and will be used for the final stages of the race... lets hope the butterflies make Amstrong fly. Art no doubt works in mysterious ways.

I just can't help but feeling that Hirst's art ones again is a bit to airy and focused on anyting but art. Even though Hirst made a gift of the design to promote Amstrong's cancer charity Livestrong it doesn't take Einstein to figure out how much money this bike will be worth when/if Amstrong wins the Tour de France once again.

I endorse all initiatives that take art out of the Museums and bring it to life in the real world. It just shouldn't be at the expense of art. It should enrich it.

I would recommend visiting Venice Biennale this summer for some serious art!

Art Regards

Birgitte