Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Art & Culture Special – Denmark
Marek Zyga, Poland: You Want Be Darker.
Øssur Mohr, Faroe Islands: Forårssol – Færøerne.
Claus Larsen, Denmark: Tænk anderledes.
Artful salesmanship It may be surprising that Europe’s largest art centre, with 35,000 visitors per year, is to be found in the tiny village of Bryrup in the middle of Jutland, Denmark. Since 1998, Midtjyllands Kunst Center has grown from a fledgling collection to over 2,500 square metres of art displaying more than 100 renowned artists from across Europe and five other continents. All of the pieces are for sale, but coming for a visit is a great experience in itself. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photos: Midtjyllands Kunst Center
“Did you know that 15 per cent of the Danish population take an active interest in the art world?” Ole Holger Pedersen, the founder of Midtjyllands Kunst Center, begins. “That’s actually looked upon as a point of pride in Denmark, as it’s higher 46 | Issue 104 | September 2017
work with hope to change. “We want to be a place where you can come, have a look round, grab a glass of wine and get lost in the collections with the help of our art experts,” Pedersen explains. “When you come across some artist that you like, you can explore dozens more of their paintings out back through our 3,500 square metres of pull-out walls. If you’re lucky, you may even meet the artist while you’re here.”
than the rate in many other countries, but it still means that 85 per cent are rarely, if ever, exposed to exciting art.”
Art in action
This is something that Pedersen, his talented employees and the artists they
One such artist is Claus Larsen, currently visiting from his home in Milan. Originally a doctor, then a medical illustrator,