World-famous Sculpture Exhibition
on the Shores of Aarhus
The Crown Prince and Princess behind the idea of bringing Sculpture by the Sea to Aarhus
The world-famous Australian exhibition project Sculpture by the Sea is coming to Aarhus in June 2009. As one of the events marking the centenary of the National Exhibition in Aarhus in 1909, the stretch of coast from Tangkrogen to Ballehage will be turned into an outdoor art gallery in which some 50 unique sculptures in various shapes, sizes and materials will be positioned along the shoreline.
Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus will be presented at a press conference in the Helnan Marselis Hotel, 25 Strandvejen, DK-8000 Aarhus C on Tuesday June 3 at 15 pm - 17 pm
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary are Patrons of the exhibition It is Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary who have taken the initiative to bring Sculpture by the Sea to Aarhus, and they have also agreed to be Patrons of the exhibition. The Crown Prince and Princess experienced Sculpture by the Sea on the Bondi Beach to Tamarama coastal walk near Sydney and were deeply fascinated by the interplay between the sculptures and the coastline. Ever since then, they have hoped that Sculpture by the Sea some day could come to Denmark.
“It is a source of great delight to both of us that Aarhus Municipality in collaboration with ARoS is able to present one of the most spectacular artistic events from Australia, Sculpture by the Sea. This is a very exciting meeting of the cultures of Denmark and Australia – also for us personally, as it brings back fond and happy memories of our many strolls along Sydney’s Bondi Beach. So it is with great pleasure that we have agreed to be Patrons of the exhibition in Aarhus. There is no doubt that the public can look forward to a great experience”, say Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
Unique event “Sculpture by the Sea is a unique Danish-Australian cultural event which I am very proud to be able to bring to Aarhus during the summer of 2009. I am sure it will attract attention and awaken enthusiasm when art and nature are united along the Aarhus Bay. Sculpture by the Sea is an experience to be enjoyed by large numbers of people and will constitute one of the outstanding events in the celebration of the centenary of the National Exhibition in Aarhus in 1909. I expect it will have the benefit of great local support”, says the Mayor of Aarhus, Nicolai Wammen.
The First Sculpture by the Sea outside Australia Sculpture by the Sea was created by Australian David Handley and was mounted for the first time on the Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach coastal walk in 1997 as a one-day event. Since then, the exhibition has grown into a gigantic event attracting an estimated 500 000 visitors from all over the world. During October 2008 Bondi Beach will provide the setting for Sculpture by the Sea for the twelfth successive year. In addition, Sculpture by the Sea is also shown at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, which will be able to present the exhibition for the fifth year in succession in March 2009. Several cities have tried to ensure the sculpture exhibition for their shores but have so far been refused, and Aarhus is the first city outside Australia to be able to present Sculpture by the Sea.
Close Relations between Denmark and Australia Sculpture by the Sea expresses the desire to strengthen the close ties of friendship which, not least on account of Crown Princess Mary, already exist between Denmark and Australia. This special relationship has been crucial in the choice of Aarhus, a choice that can be seen as symbolising the close cooperation between the two countries.
Sculpture by the Sea founder, David Handley, said that he was thrilled to be able to hold the first international exhibition in Denmark.
“I am very honoured and excited that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are so enthusiastic about Sculpture by the Sea and had the idea to bring the exhibition to Aarhus. Until now we have turned down similar requests because of the difficulty finding the right combination of location and suitable local backing”, says David Handley.
The reason why we are able to stage the first international Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in Aarhus is that we found the unique framework for the event that we require - the combination of a spectacular coastline and the enthusiastic support of the Municipality of Aarhus.”
Regional Artists Represented The Municipality of Aarhus in cooperation with ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum and Kulturhus Aarhus is behind Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus. The exhibition is planned to be shown between June 5 and June 29 2009 and will encompass some 50 sculptures. 40-45 of these will be selected in close collaboration between ARoS and David Handley and his organisation. In addition ARoS will appoint a dozen or so Danish sculptors, including regional sculptors, to create new works for Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus.
It was an approach by HRH Crown Prince Frederik to the director of ARoS, Jens Erik Sørensen that set in motion the efforts to bring Sculpture by the Sea to Aarhus. The director is delighted that this has now proved possible. “It is with great enthusiasm and joy that ARoS is able to contribute to the fulfilment of the vision of The Crown Prince and Princess to create a special version of Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus. From the beginning the vision of the museum has been to bring the world to Aarhus and to make the best possible art available to the greatest possible number of people – also outside the physical framework of the actual museum. Sculpture by the Sea now helps to fulfil that vision. The Crown Prince Couple are right - the coast line here is unique and absolutely perfect for an exhibition like this. The scenic beach and forest in Aarhus are an optimal setting for showing and experiencing sculpture,” says Jens Erik Sørensen.
For further information please contact
Bjarne Bækgaard,
Director of Communications ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum
T:+45 8730 6618 M: +45 3066 5142|
bb@aros.dk
