Copenhagen's Summer Exhibitions Explore Text, Labor, and Social Practice Through Site-Specific Installations
Copenhagen Contemporary, located on Refshaleøen, showcases 'In Focus: Statements', an exhibition that addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and the worldwide antiracist demonstrations following George Floyd's death. The display includes text-centric pieces by artists such as Zoe Leonard, Jenny Holzer, David Shrigley, and Sam Durant. Notably, Marilyn Minter's 'Resist Flag' (2017) is positioned above Hesselholdt & Mejlvang's 'Less Power Less' (2020). Dread Scott's 'A Man Was Lynched by Police Yesterday' (2015) revises an NAACP flag. Additionally, Kae Tempest's 'Hold Your Own' is featured in a bunker, while John Giorno's 'Rainbow Paintings' (2015–17) showcase profound slogans. Kunsthal Charlottenborg presents DIS's 'What Do People Do All Day?', which includes videos on technocapitalism, and KØS Museum exhibits 'Unravel the Unfound', highlighting Gordon Matta-Clark's community initiatives.
Key facts
- Copenhagen Contemporary's 'In Focus: Statements' was delayed and reimagined due to COVID-19 and antiracist protests.
- The exhibition includes outdoor installations like Marilyn Minter's 'Resist Flag' and Dread Scott's updated NAACP flag.
- Kae Tempest performed 'Hold Your Own' during lockdown, with the video displayed in a bunker on Refshaleøen.
- DIS's exhibition at Kunsthal Charlottenborg features videos on work and power, with a stained carpet for viewer comfort.
- Simon Dybbroe Møller's video series explores 'dead labour' in the gig economy, referencing Richard Scarry's children's book.
- KØS Museum showcases Gordon Matta-Clark's social practice, including documentation of 'Food', a community restaurant.
- Matta-Clark's films like 'Conical Intersect' (1975) document his process of altering buildings for political art.
- The exhibitions use nontraditional spaces, such as stairwells and service areas, for displaying contemporary art.
Entities
Artists
- Zoe Leonard
- Jenny Holzer
- David Shrigley
- Sam Durant
- Marilyn Minter
- Hesselholdt & Mejlvang
- Dread Scott
- Kae Tempest
- John Giorno
- Kahlil Joseph
- Tony Cokes
- McKenzie Wark
- Paul B. Preciado
- Hannah Black
- Zahira Kelly
- Precious Okoyomon
- Simon Dybbroe Møller
- Gordon Matta-Clark
- Richard Scarry
Institutions
- Copenhagen Contemporary
- Kunsthal Charlottenborg
- DIS
- dis.art
- KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces
- NAACP
Locations
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Refshaleøen
- Køge
- New York City
- America