Last month I discovered the street-art of London's East End on a run led by Alternative London which uncovered works from Banksy to Eine and everything inbetween. This was the first city in a series of European dates on the inaugural Stance Runtour. The second stop on the trail was Copenhagen and I was lucky enough to win a place to go and join the trip. With each instalment someone will be chosen to continue onto the next destination with Paris and Milan on the itinerary.
Here are my snaps from Denmark's street-art including my favourite - a female artist Maya Hayuk who painted this whole building with a bright colour geometric pattern. Whilst we were out exploring the city, graffiti artist Brandon AKA "Juse One" was spraying a wall of Stance boxes for us to take away as keep-sakes. I love a good goody-bag and this is definitely the most unique one I've ever had; each signed, stamped and dated so that I now have two from both cities. The after-party was a great chance to get to know Copenhagen's NBRO running crew better and ask what else to do while I was in town......... hence the winning top-tip of visiting the Luisiana Museum (in the previous posts). This meant I squeezed in the maximum amount of art in the 24 hours I had in the city to run. All my favourite things combined in one......... and some new colourful socks, to boot!!
Read about the London run on my fitness blog for HUNGER TV here.
Leading on from the Carlos Cruz-Diez "Chromosaturation" specially installed for the show "Eye Attatck" to the rest of the exhibition. The current temporary exhibition at Copenhagen's modern art museum Louisiana tells the story of Op-Art and Kenetic Art from 1950 -1970. It's a magnificent collection from the movement, including Bridget Riley's incredible lines that seem to move before your eyes .............. hence the title "Eye Attatck". Its a chance to really appreciate her genius amongst the work of her contemporaries. This section of optical patterns morph into a collection of 3D canvases with textures that add depth to the shapes. The final part holds a myriad of moving sculptures that twist light and line to bring the warped aesthetic to life.
The best thing about the whole Louisiana museum for me was this cosmic installation that is part of the current "Eye Attack" Op-Art show. Carlos Cruz-Diez has covered a glass atrium in colour gels to create a new version of his "Chromosaturation" (1965) that plays with your perception of spectrum in light. You could walk straight thru and only notice the red, green and blue sections but if you wait a while for your eyes to adjust, then an entire rainbow of hues is visible on the floor. I cant understand how it works but I saw it with my own eyes and any house of my own is just going to be a massive disappointment after witnessing this. The construction appears misleadingly simple but the outcome is miraculous. I feel so lucky that I found the museum for the first time to catch this temporary piece.
Leading on from the Yayoi Kusama mirror rooms in London to her "Gleaming Lights of the Souls" in Copenhagen at the Louisiana, Modern Art Museum where I found myself the following day! It's in the most beautiful setting, out of town, on the coast with a backdrop of the sea's horizon. Here are both the interior contemporary art galleries and the sculpture gardens that surround the space with works by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder and Jean Dubuffet. Its a magical place to get totally lost and keep discovering steps up and down the hills to lakes and panoramic views. It's tranquil bliss just a 40 minute train journey from the city centre and the best recommendation I have for any visit to Copenhagen. Here are my highlights from the current show of acquisitions called "Illumination".
