Understanding an entangle history
In this Master’s Thesis, I have been trying to illuminate and understand the shared history between Denmark and the Virgin Islands. In connection to centennial the tabooed history about Denmark’s colonial era has become relevant once again. The approach towards this Thesis has been highly investigating and practical. My study trip has been a big part of illuminating the voice of a people who feel left behind. Interviews and interaction with locals has been a significant factor in the exploration of the use of sugar mills and if it is at all possible to make a new use of them. The first discovery Aarhus School of Architecture, The Royal Danish Academy together with US Virgin Islands and BYFO initiated (spring semester 2016) a collaborating centennial project in form of two transformation projects on St. Croix and St. Thomas called “In Search of Identity”. The studio worked on a transformation of old Danish barracks on St. Croix into an architecture and crafts school. In this connection, the studio went on a three-week study trip to measure, draw and gather information about the buildings as well as the site, city and Islands. This was my first meeting with St. Croix and a history that have been tabooed. I did not learn about the colonial era at school, only that Denmark was the first to emancipate the slaves. I did not know anything about the Virgin Islands before the study trip. On the study trip, it came clear that the people of St. Croix go through a confusion of identity. Walking through the streets of Christiansted the people is a great mixture of color living side by side. Superficially it seemed perfect and people greet each other, but coming from Denmark with African roots I could sense the confusion of identity.
16
