Welcome, 'Update', Copenhagen, 1996

The first of two Welcome pieces, conceived for the artist-run show ‘Update ’96’, which took place during Copenhagen’s reign as European Culture Capital in 1996. From a Swedish point of view, the Danes have always seemed to enjoy a much less restricted society. They have more liberal alcohol laws; a state-supported anarchist zone, Christiania, in the middle of the city; a commune and hippie mentality that prevails on all levels of society; indulgence in food and sex; and a happier and healthier approach to life in general. They are also exceptionally good at selling this image abroad.

The two Welcome works played with notions of social upbringing in a frivolous and relaxed atmosphere. I sent a couple of ideas on the subject to the organizers of ‘Update’, and Jens Haaning handled the work locally, even hiring guards and dogs for the opening from a security company. We set up a long, infantile queuing system in the courtyard, where opening night visitors had to wind their way through a warren of velvet ropes, watched over by the dogs and the guards. Jens had found this great system that was used on national holidays—in the colors of the Danish flag—which marked out a restrictive path to walk through. All night, people would approach the entrance, somewhat surprised, and then had to decide what to do. For most, the meaning of the smiling guards and cute dogs was ambiguous, but having to walk through the long line seemed obvious. Some radicals chose to ignore the guards completely and jump over the ropes. By the end of the night, after 1,500 people had passed, and the guards left the scene, the whole thing was completely trampled down.

Jens Haaning, fax drawing, 1996.

texts on Welcome:

Bonde, Lisbeth, Kunsten og gÿrtlerfaget, Information, Copenhagen, 18 Sept. 1998.
Ifversen, Karsten R.S., Kunstens indgreíb, Politiken, Copenhagen, 5 Sept. 1998.
Much, Per, Kunsten ned ad vaeggerne (Art down the walls), Politiken, 25 Mar. 1996.
Vesterberg, Henrik, 33 vilde døgn (33 wild days), Politiken, Copenhagen, 22 Mar. 1996.
Brogger, Anders, Asketernas Mareridt, Information, Copenhagen, 31 Mar. 1996.