The Association of Visual Artists has learned that Aarhus Municipality has switched off a number of light artworks for an extended period, and has written to Councilor Nicolaj Bang for an explanation.
Crisis awareness has many expressions. One of them is that several of the country's municipalities have chosen to switch off their art installations. Most recently, BKF has become aware of the blacking out of three works in Aarhus Municipality, which has prompted Head of Secretariat Klaus Pedersen to write to Councilor for Technology and the Environment Nicolaj Bang for an explanation:
"The power consumption for the works of art in question is based on LED lighting and must be considered minimal. Therefore, the darkening of the works of art must only be given a symbolic meaning. We do not think it is legal in terms of copyright when there is no more plausible reason for it," says Klaus Pedersen.
One of the extinguished works is Astrid Gjesing's neon artwork 'From water you came', which for more than 11 years has been mounted in the ceiling under Clemensbro, where it creates a dialogue with the passers-by on their way out into the city.
"I hadn't been told that the plant had been switched off, but found out myself when I came by," says Astrid Gjesing.
"I contacted 'Lys på Aarhus', which is responsible for the lighting projects in the municipality, and was told that it was a message from a political level. But to be honest, these are hands-on ears, there are no proportions in it, and everyone I talk to also shakes their head at that. It is precisely now, in these times, that art is needed," she says.
Another work of art that has been switched off is Signe Klejs' 'Hesitation of Light', which is a light installation that has illuminated the Ringgade Bridge for the past six years. While the third is Ruth Campau's 'Klostertorv Boogie Woogie', set up in 2020 and intended to illuminate the square both in daylight and in the evening to create security for both citizens staying in the square and passers-by.
In BKF, Klaus Pedersen expects that the approach to councilor Nicolaj Bang will result in the works of art being lit again as soon as possible.
Photo: Astrid Gjesing: 'You came from water'