Scan Magazine | Museum of the Month | Denmark
Museum of the Month, Denmark
Denmark’s hidden art treasure Just 30 minutes outside Aarhus in Silkeborg, you will find Museum Jorn and Denmark’s second-largest art collection. The museum houses Denmark’s most prominent international artist Asger Jorn’s entire art collection. With low ceilings and wooden floors, the museum invites you inside for an intimate art experience with plenty of activities for the whole family. By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Museum Jorn
Located right by the Gudenå River, Museum Jorn could not wish for more beautiful natural surroundings to showcase their art. Not only does the art museum boast the famous Danish artist Asger Jorn’s entire art collection; it also houses exhibitions with the work of big international artists. “Museum Jorn is a hidden treasure. We have the second-largest art collection in Denmark, and we are the art museum in the country that lends out the most work,” says Lars Hamann, head of communications at Museum Jorn.
A different artist Asger Jorn – the most influential artist in all of Scandinavia – donated his art collec96 | Issue 102 | July 2017
tion to Silkeborg before his death in 1973. He collected pieces by artists he was inspired by or worked along the same lines as, meaning that the museum hosts work by artists such as Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, the Cobra movement – which Jorn founded – and much more. “Jorn was very different from other artists. He experimented a lot with his art, and in general he liked to provoke the art world, which is also why he donated his collection to Silkeborg and not Copenhagen; he wanted to be different and provocative,” says Hamann. “Jorn used to say: ‘If you aren’t ready to go to the edge, then there is no reason to go at all.’ He was radical, and he liked to push the boundaries in the world of art.”
Museum Jorn also puts on exhibitions by different international artists every year. This autumn, there will be an exhibition of the works of American photography artist Cindy Sherman, one of the most influential contemporary artists around, who has played a crucial role in art photography history.
An intimate experience When you visit Museum Jorn, you are in for a very intimate art experience. “We have low ceilings, wooden floors and plenty of charm, and our surroundings are beautiful. It is very important that you get a different and very intimate art experience at Museum Jorn – no matter what age you are, we want people to have a good time here,” says Hamann. “We want people to spend time together and be present while they are here, whether they are here with their family, a friend or their partner.” Web: www.museumjorn.dk Instagram: @museumjorn