The Royal Couple to attend the opening of James Turrell’s Skyspace at ARoS

On Friday, June 19, Musikhusparken in Aarhus will set the stage for a major public celebration marking the opening of As Seen Below – The Dome, a Skyspace by James Turrell.

“James Turrell’s Skyspace has been a long time in the making, so it will be a major milestone for both ARoS and Aarhus when we open the doors to the artwork for Aarhus residents and visitors alike for the very first time. I’m incredibly excited,” says Mayor Anders Winnerskjold.

As Seen Below is a Skyspace and an artwork in ARoS’ collection by the American artist James Turrell. Due to its scale, quality, and range of expressions, the artist himself describes it as his most ambitious Skyspace to date.

“We look forward to sharing the extraordinary artistic experiences that await in As Seen Below. The world premiere has been a long anticipated and will offer a unique experience that can only be had here in Aarhus,” says museum director Rebecca Matthews.

The opening of the artwork will be celebrated with a public programme in Musikhusparken, preview access to the artwork, and an official evening opening at ARoS attended by H.M. the King and H.M. the Queen.

“I am both pleased and proud that our city can mark this occasion in the company of H.M. the King, H.M. the Queen and the artist himself. It will be a landmark day for Aarhus. Not only are we welcoming a world-class artwork, but we are also celebrating the completion of the transformation of Musikhusparken. The opening will be marked with concerts, competitions, and activities for alle ages,” says Jesper Kjeldsen, Councillor for Culture and Citizen Services in Aarhus Municipality.

Programme

11:00 – 5:00 pm
Preview access to As Seen Below (ticket required)
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a 15-minute preview of As Seen Below and be among the very first to enter the installation. While tickets are sold out, it is still possible to enter a competition for the remaining preview spots here.

2:00 pm
Concert by musicians from Aarhus Jazz Orchestra

2:30 – 6:30 pm
Family workshop at SkrotOp and kaleidoscopes for the first 100 children
In collaboration with Aarhus Municipality, SkrotOp invites families to participate in a creative workshop. Inspired by As Seen Below, its distinctive dome, and James Turrell’s work with light and colors, children and families can help create a large collective artwork that will be exhibited at Aarhus City Hall until mid-August.

4:00 pm
Children’s concert with Trolle and Smørfolket

6:30 pm
Arrival of The Royal Couple at ARoS for the official opening (by invitation)

00.00
Midnight sessions in As Seen Below
On the night between 19 and 20 June special midnight session will take place inside the Skyspace. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and will begin at midnight and again at 01:40 am.

Book a picnic basket
It will be possible to pre-order a picnic basket.

On the day, food and drinks from MIB will also be available for purchase, along with a special Skyspace ice cream from Frossenpind in Musikhusparken.

About ARoS’ museum expansion
As Seen Below, together with the subterranean exhibition space Salling Galleriet (opened June 2025) and a new public Art Square (opened March 2026) marks the culmination of ARoS’ long-term vision The Next Level.

“ARoS has always been defined by artistic innovation – from the museum building in 2004 to Olafur Eliasson’s Your rainbow panorama. With the support of the municipality, foundations, and our partners, we are proud to continue this tradition with James Turrell’s Skyspace,” says Chair of the Board, Laura Hay Uggla.

The Next Level has been realised with generous support from the Salling Foundations, the New Carlsberg Foundation, Aarhus Municipality, ARoS, and a private anonymous donation.

The special previews on the opening day are supported by the C.A.C Foundation.

Press photos can be downloaded via Dropbox and may be used freely with proper credit.

For further information, contact:

ARoS Press and Communications
presse@aros.dk
+45 61904942