Are you familiar with guidebooks like ‘500 Hidden Secrets of Copenhagen’? I always think the idea is brilliant and the title somewhat strange. These places are not secret, and they are certainly not hidden, so let’s just call them under-explored.
Wide-open eyes
In this new column, I would like to introduce you to some of my favorite under-explored places in and around Copenhagen: places that are visible, but not necessarily in the city center, nor listed in the tourist guides.
I have lived in Copenhagen for more than 30 years, but while working on my first guidebook, ‘The Copenhagen Companion’, it struck me that I actually had a rather limited knowledge of my hometown.
Since the publication of that guidebook and its sequel, ‘The Green Copenhagen Comrade’, I have been out for a lot of walks and have opened my eyes to so many new aspects of the city.
Ahead of his time
One of the cozy little places I discovered while exploring green areas for walks was the Heerup Museum in the suburb of Rødovre.
To some, Henry Heerup’s (1907-93) art may seem a bit outdated, but to me it embodies the somewhat embodied Danish. Especially in his prints from the 1970s, there are a lot of easily recognizable elements from Danish everyday life, such as bicycles and coffee pots. Heerup was very keen to use found objects in his sculptures and use discarded pieces of linoleum for his prints – in that sense, he now serves as inspiration for younger artists with a focus on using a limited use of resources in their works.
As stated on the bicycle cover (Heerup really loved bicycles and always cycled from his apartment in Vanløse to his workshop in Rødovre), he always maintained that art should be ‘popular’ (accessible to all) – and his lithographic prints were sold at a reasonable price. prices.
Small shop with wonders
One of the things I really like about the little museum is the carefully curated museum shop. Something tempts me every time I’m there. The selection of postcards and posters remains largely the same, but new products are often added in connection with new exhibitions, as well as beautiful decorations for Christmas. Every year in November (this year is 21-22 November) there is a small Christmas market run by a local group called The Plant Colors.
The museum is not limited to exhibitions of Heerup’s works, but often stages collaborations with contemporary artists, both Danish and international, or groups from the local community in Rødovre. When I was visiting recently, there was a collection of works of art made by young people from the area – and outside in the garden, a group of school children were busy adding their own elements to a growing installation of found objects.
On the way
The museum is located at Kirkesvinget in Rødovre – largely next door to the local Rødovre Church – and parking is free.
But in the spirit of Heerup, you could choose to cycle – from Vesterport Station in the city center, the marked ‘super cycle path’ cycle route C99 takes you directly to the museum – a distance of about 7 km. You can also walk from KB Hallen S-train station (2 km), or follow the walk ‘The Art of Green’ as described in the guidebook ‘The Green Copenhagen Companion’.
Do you walk or cycle on the path along the shores of Damhussøen and then along the Damhus Enge meadow. Here you will see a large mural (see the picture at the top of the article) that draws your attention to the presence of the museum in a beautifully restored old farmhouse just steps up from the meadow.
Visit heerup.dk for information about opening hours, current exhibitions and more about the artist and his works and life – all this information is also available in English.
Source: The Nordic Page