Johan Bech Jespersen, Paparazzi #1–3, Den Anden Side, Copenhagen
The nightclub Et Andet Sted (Another Place) has moved into the basement of a true Copenhagen classic, the Palads building, and changed its name to Den Anden Side (The Other Side). There is something beautiful in itself in having a techno club with a vast Funktion-One sound system opening underneath the iconic Poul Gernes-decorated art deco cinema. And it also seems that the new club has artistic ambitions. At any rate, the venue already boasts one very successful work made especially for the site. Jespersen’s Paparazzi #1–3 comprises three very large, glossy sheets of aluminium with black serigraph images of light bursts on them. In bombastic style, the works capture three fleeting flashes of light, pointing to the moment or the feeling of being dazzled and caught on film. A kind of embedded nostalgia pervades the work, which I find particularly apt in a nightclub setting.
Sister Corita Kent, Someday Is Now, The Nivaagaard Collection, Nivå. Curated by Danh Vo
A wonderful exhibition featuring Pop artist and Catholic nun Sister Corita Kent, who certainly commands and deserves attention. To my mind, these poppy and political/activist works are extremely relevant right now. The fusion between capitalist imagery, religion, and satire presented on simple wooden structures was delightfully open and full of joie de vivre.
Heine Klausen, Hell Is Where I Belong. Part of Længsel (Longing), Copenhell, Copenhagen. Curated by Sophie Hjerl and Jette Ellgaard
As part of the nationwide group show Længsel (Longing), Heine Klausen exhibited Hell Is Where I Belong at the metal festival Copenhell. Made of concrete, the work is a large sculptural piece of furniture embellished with angel wings, lots of skulls, and the title featured in the middle. Festival goers settled on the artwork to down cans of beer, and even though it blended quite seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, it still had a certain air of vulnerability or thoughtfulness that made me stop and feel.
Esben Weile Kjær is an artist living in Copenhagen and currently showing the performance installation HYPER! at The Bas Fisher Invitational, Miami. The exhibition BUTTERFLY! Weile Kjær’s curated presentation of works from the art museum Arken’s collection, will open in February 2023.
For this year’s contributions to Kunstkritikk’s Advent Calendar, see here.
