Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation is donating a gift to the new part of Sønderborg town. An artwork that will be an attraction it its own, is to stand in the square in front of Alsik hotel. The artwork is created by the worldfamous artist Olafur Eliasson, and consists of six huge rings. The artwork will be placed in the square so that both sailors passing by on the Alssund and pedestrians attending events in the square, will be able to see it and experience its extraordinary design.
Explaining the wish to donate the artwork, Peter Mads Clausen says:
Olafur Eliasson's art adds an extra dimension to the area. It "extends" the harbour environment and draws attention to the big open area alongside the Alssund. You may want to stop, immerse yourself and reflect on his art. Olafur Eliasson has been chosen, because he has already demonstrated the quality of his work with other art installations in Sønderborg.
Peter Mads Clausen, Chairman at Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation
Realisation of Frank Gehry's Masterplan
The Harbour Company of Sønderborg was formed to ensure that Frank Gehry's masterplan is followed. In the masterplan, Bitten & Mads Clausen's Square is laid out as an active new urban space in Sønderborg. This use is also supported through the work of art.
The idea behind the rings, explained by Olafur Eliasson
‘’ Since rings provide no fixed, final point for our gaze to rest, they activate our vision and make us more aware of its dynamic quality. The rings proposed for the plaza in front of the Alsik hotel provide an opportunity for our eyes to play, an opportunity for us to let go of our usual goal-oriented stance and experience the simple joy of allowing our eyes to follow the curving forms of the artwork.’’ - Olafur Eliasson
Sønderborg mayor, Erik Lauritzen, is very pleased with the donation to Sønderborg Municipality:
It is absolutely overwhelming that we will receive a piece of art of this character in Sønderborg . I am excited about the positive attention such an artwork will attract. In art circles, nationally and internationally, there will be many people, who will travel a long way to experience such an art work, that inspires one's imagination and senses. The municipality is really receiving an extra attraction of extraordinary quality.
Erik Lauritzen, Mayor of Sønderborg Municipality
Brief biography on Olafur Eliasson
Olafur Eliasson (DK/IS), born 1967, resides in Copenhagen and Berlin. Olafur Eliasson's works range from installations and sculptures, photography, film and painting, to pavilions and construction works. In 2003, his popular installation “The Weather Project” in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in London was seen by over two million people. His projects in the public spaces include Green River, performed in different cities between 1998 and 2001, The New York City Waterfalls (2008), Your Rainbow Panorama at the top of the ARoS Art Museum in Aarhus (2011), Ice Watch, in collaboration with the geologist Minik Rosing (2014 Copenhagen, 2015 Paris) and the Circle Bridge in Copenhagen (2015). In 2016, he created several installations for the Palace of Versailles and its associated gardens, including an artificial waterfall in the Le Grand Canal. In 2014, Olafur Eliasson and his longstanding collaborator, Sebastian Behmann, established the international studio Studio Other Spaces.
