Arken Museum $$ - $$$
Student Entry: DKK110 = ~SEK156
Address: Skovvej 100, 2635 Ishøj, Denmark
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday @ 10:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday @ 10:00 - 21:00
- Closed Mondays
Patricia Piccinini: "A World of Love" Exhibition, 9 February - 8 September 2019
The Young Family (2002)
Australian-born artist Patricia Piccinini's work focuses on the intersections between science fiction, the natural sciences, biotechnology, feminism and environmentalism. She produces installation artwork, creating alternative universes for the viewer to break into, prompting us to question human and nonhuman relationships and what the future might hold in light of climate change, stem cell research and the utilisation of animals for human benefit. Her skilled yet playful curation of humanoid creatures is both evocative, disturbing and thought-provoking for the intertwined futures of planet Earth. This is her first solo exhibition in the Nordic countries.
Here I share a few of my favourite artworks from the exhibitions. Enjoy!
The atmosphere in the work is full of care and love across species and generations. Are the human boy and old marine mammal related? Might this be the grandson and grandmother resting together? The old creature appears to be a mermaid-like relative of the manatee - a species now endangered due to hunting and global warming. The myths of mermaids may initially have been prompted by the manatee - some say that the sailors actually saw these creatures rather than the young, beautiful women with fishtails. Unlike most depictions of mermaids, this one looks old and tired. The creature seems vulnerable, but also wondrous. Is the boy protecting his giant mer-grandmother? Might we, like the boy, nurture and care for the species with which we share the planet?
[English wall plaque text, translated from Danish]
Surrogate (2005), detail. Silocone, polyurethane, leather, plywood and human hair.
The fertility industry facilitates new forms of procreating, but at the same time it generates many ethical dilemmas. Here we meet a laboratory rodent with pouches running along its back, each storing a small, wombat-like creature. The wombat is native of Australia, but over the past century it has become endangered due to land clearing, cattle farming and droughts. In bio-labs we use animals to solve the problems we greate for ourselves instead of changing our habits. Is this creature and its offspring intended to help save its own species from extinction? The work reminds us that the biomedical arena is full of nonhuman 'laboratory workers'
[English wall plaque text translated from Danish]
Kindred (2015). Silicone, fibreglass and hair
Strong, proud yet also vulnerable, this striking humanoid orangutan mother looks us straight in the eye , keeping us transfixed with her gaze while she is protective of her young, holding them close. Her offspring are of different hybridity depicting human kinship. The orangutan is our closest relative; we have 97 per cent of our DNA in common. Unlike humans, the orangutan is an endangered species, and as it is becoming extinct, new species are produced through gene technology. Is this mother a new chimera escaped from a laboratory? Do human transplants grow inside her body?
[English wall plaque text, translated from Danish]
Bootflower (2015). Silicone, fibreglass and human hair
The Avian Triology (Eagle in Flight with Helmets) (2018). Silicone and hair on linen.
The Avian Triology (Twelve Eggs at Rest) (2018). Silicone and hair on linen.
(Late!) Lunch at Wrap House, Copenhagen
Wrap House: $$ - $$$ (due to currency conversions the prices go up ;n;)
Address: Istedgade 58, 1650 København, Denmark
Opening Hours:
- Monday - Sunday @ 11:00 - 19:00
What I Ordered:
Falafel wrap with 'favourite' base: mango, pomegranate seeds and salad. DKK 79
Falafel bowl, similar to the wrap with larger portions including quinoa. DKK 89
I ordered the wrap and was not disappointed! I think it's worth spending a little less even if you are seriously hungry and getting the wrap because it's essentially the same ingredients and wait time for a meal that will fill you up just as much. Their sauces are tasty and Wrap House staff are able to veganise the "base sauce" options as well.
- Vegan options: chickpea salad OR falafel
- Vegetarian option: halloumi
I'd recommend coming here if you want something quick, filling and a little bit unique - their sauces are more interesting and they have a wide range available. There's also spiced mango sauce on each table if you want free extras! :)
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