Just about settled in to life in lovely København after 2 weeks. The weather has been great for exploring which was a massive bonus, especially as I've been told this summer was particularly rubbish here (insert witty quip about how to make a Brit feel at home).
First impressions of my new home - cool carvings. In central CPH just about every other building has some kind of detailed carving above the doors and/or windows, the whole city is like a big gallery. I think this may be a recurring theme in the photography accompanying this blog, at the moment I'm pretty obsessed with it. A little more research so I can talk about what I've seen with some background knowledge is required so I'll fill you in on this topic in later posts (exciting eh, bet you can't wait?!)
First impressions of my new home - cool carvings. In central CPH just about every other building has some kind of detailed carving above the doors and/or windows, the whole city is like a big gallery. I think this may be a recurring theme in the photography accompanying this blog, at the moment I'm pretty obsessed with it. A little more research so I can talk about what I've seen with some background knowledge is required so I'll fill you in on this topic in later posts (exciting eh, bet you can't wait?!)
I spent my first week here doing a few touristy things, Slotsholmen, a free walking tour of Christianshavn (well worth the obligatory tip for the guide) and walking around the rectangular lakes or Søerne as they are know here. Again, I will talk about Christianshavn and it's many delights in future posts when I've fully explored. What I really like about the Søerne is the people who choose to run and cycle or just sit and chill either along the banks or on one of the bridges crossing from central CPH to the north and western districts. I am somewhat disconcerted by how effortlessly cool everyone here manages to look while taking part in these activities. Hopefully it might rub off on me!
Another tourist hotspot Statens Museum for Kunst or SMK was next on the agenda. (Notice the awesome relief carving, just saying). Besides being blown away by the architecture, new and old, there was a very interesting show by the Brazilian artist Laura Lima entitled - The Naked Magician. A magician's workshop has been set up with books, costumes, parts of tricks and assorted bric-a-brac crammed into the exhibition space. It reminded me of searching for vinyl in Jessop's Old Mill in Batley. On an even more personal note, from reading the interview between Laura and Marianne Torp in the exhibition information leaflet, I discovered that the technicians who help install the artwork at each venue in which it's shown, also add to the bric-a-brac from items of their own. Having finished my last freelance technician work at Yorkshire Sculpture Park a mere 2 weeks prior, I almost succumbed to a feeling that someone was playing an elaborate trick on me and I would be handed a screwdriver and told hang a frame at any moment. The feeling quickly abated though and I was free to enjoy the madness of The Naked Magician (who ironically was almost fully clothed except for the cut off sleeves of his coat and shirt)
Last but not least for this edition is my mandatory visit to the Danish Design Museum. I first visited while on holiday last year and loved seeing the classic Jacobsen and Wegner furniture. This time I saw an award winning exhibition selected by 15 danish designers cunningly titled Mindcraft15. Crossing the boundaries between art and design the objects/sculptures/products are arranged on a mirrored floor, with each piece displayed with a cage over or around it. The effect of the installation is remarkable, so much so that I only discovered my favourite piece in the exhibition while reading the information afterwards and realising I needed a second look. Selfie by Eske Rex is a beautiful display of the tension which can be created by the space between forms.
Well that's it for this week, next edition will feature some shots from my first Photo Meet-Up outing which I enjoyed immensely but has created a great backlog of photos to sort and edit. There will also be some kind of Top 5 list of new designers/studios/products I've come across so far (I know you're excited about that, who doesn't like a top 5? Except for whoever's at number 6 anyway). For now I'll leave you with a few more random shots of things I've found interesting so far in CPH.
Farvel!
Farvel!