Louisiana autumn/winter 2011

AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 ENGLISH

KLEE & COBRA AI WEIWEI

LOUISIANA CONTEMPORARY

VIJA CELMINS

Louisiana on Papir

SEE MAP ON THE BACK PAGE

OPEN EVENINGS TUES-FRI UNTIL 22

KLEE & COBRA EXHIBITION 30.9.11-8.1.12 Two focal points of 20th century art, Paul Klee and the Cobra group, were fundamentally inspired by the creative power of children. Now, for the first time, the exhibition at Louisiana presents this surprising and important relationship.

Top: Paul Klee in his studio, Bauhaus, Weimar, 1922.

Above: Cobra gathering in the studio of painter Constant, 1949.

THE EXHIBITION 120 works by Klee and a similar number of works by artists of the Cobra group as well as documentary material, children’s drawings, photos, etc.

When Paul Klee rediscovered his own childhood drawings in the attic of his parents’ home in Bern, it would prove to be a revelation for the young Swiss artist. Aged 23 at the time and longing to free himself from all classical restrictions and conventions, Paul Klee found in these drawings exactly the kind of authenticity and power of expression, that he was on the look-out for. Indeed Klee (1879-1940), one of the great classics of 20th century art, would remain deeply fascinated with and very directly inspired by the artistic creativity of children for the rest of his life.

In turn, Klee and this lifelong passion of his would become an important source of inspiration for the Cobra group, formed by artists from Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands.

After­the devastations of World War II, this shortlived, but highly influential artistic movement (1948-1951), sought new ground, wishing “to start all over just like a child,” as one of its members, Karel Appel, stated. Cobra artists perceived Klee as a sort of father figure: “he has touched the innermost essence of art and made something come alive for us.”

They explored the origins of art, as found a.o. in the pictures of children, in a collective and political spirit, often creating works that radiate a sense of freedom and childlike joy.

The exhibition at Louisiana brings together about 120 works

by Klee and a similar number of works by Cobra artists, arranged into five key themes: children, acrobats, animals, war and masks – each highlighting a surprising amount of parallels and points of contact between the two parties.

Above: Paul Klee Blau mantel, 1940. Blue Coat.
Albertina, Vienna, promised gift of the Carl Djerassi Art Trust II Foundation.

Right: Karel Appel Kindje met bloemen, 1947. Small Child with Flowers. Stedelijk Museum, Schiedam.

Ai Weiwei with his installation Sunflower Seeds at Tate Modern, London, 2010 © Ai Weiwei/Tate Photo.

Ai Weiwei Forever, 2003. Installation with 42 bicycles, 275 cm, diam. 450 cm. Photo: Ai Weiwei.

LOUISIANA CONTEMPORARY

AI WEIWEI

EXHIBITION 18.11.11-12.2.12 Louisiana welcomes one of today’s most important contemporary artists. For the first time in Scandinavia this exhibition allows for a deeper insight into the practices of Ai Weiwei.

THE EXHIBITION is showing three very large and important works from the years 2003-2010 and a series of films, made

by Ai Weiwei.

“Your own acts and behaviour tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.” Earlier this year, Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei (b. 1957) was detained and isolated by the authorities. In the light of these critical circumstances, Louisiana is pleased to be able to present this highly important artist, whose activities include­ physical artworks, conceptual projects, social activities, design and architecture. As a whole, Ai Weiweis work can in fact be regarded as a compass for contemporary art.

LOUISIANA ON PAPER

VIJA CELMINS EXHIBITION until 8.1.12. Seas and skies. Stars and spiderwebs.

Vija Celmins works magic with paper and pencil, capturing the infinite as well as the intimate. With accuracy and great delicacy.

She prefers paper and pencil and works in an extremely realistic technique, often reorganizing and imitating blackand-white photographs. Yet Vija Celmins – born 1938 in Riga and now living in New York – has a truly magical gaze. From the small sheet of paper she leads us out into the starry oceans of the universe, showing us what the intimate format can contain: everything from the smallest to the greatest.

Vija Celmins Concentric Bearings A, 1984.

Acquatint, photogravure.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

LOUISIANA is a leading international museum of modern art.

But it is also a living house of culture, an extraordinary place where­ art, architecture, the park and the location on the Øresund make up a unique totality. And a place of true beauty all year round.

The Exhibitions The international orientation remains an important premise for Louisiana’s exhibitions, contributing to the museum’s status as one of the world’s most respected exhibition venues. The exhibition programme focuses on international, modern and contemporary art as well as international photo, design and architecture shows.

The Collection The museum’s collection is among the largest in Scandinavia and concentrates on the period after 1945. Includes major works by Picasso, Giacometti, Klein, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Bourgeois, Guston, Jorn, Baselitz, Kiefer and Kirkeby.

The Architecture The architectural design of Louisiana is considered a unique achievement, rooted in the low-key modernism of the 1950s. The appearance of the museum is that of a subdued, horizontal building complex discreetly nestling into the landscape.

The Sculpture Park Louisiana is surrounded by a sculpture park with a panorama view of the Øresund. The sculptures in the park are an important part of the museum’s

collection, and each is carefully placed to do it full justice. Features works by a.o. Moore, Miro, Calder, Ernst, Arp, Sekine and Dubuffet.

The Louisiana Children’s Wing Three storeys, covering 500 square metres and offering a place of refuge where children and youths are given exceptional opportunities to work creatively, using their senses and imagination. Open workshops operate daily from 11:00 to 17:30, on Sundays from 14:00 to 16:00.

The Louisiana Shop One of Denmark’s leading design shops, focusing on Danish and Scandinavian design. With a large, wellassorted book shop carrying catalogues and posters as well as books on art, design and architecture.

The Louisiana CafE Boasts a panorama view of the Øresund and an outdoor terrace used during the summer months. The food served is a modern version of the Danish cuisine, based on fresh, in-season ingredients.

A Danish buffet is offered for lunch and dinner.

The menu changes weekly. The Cafe also offers sandwiches, salads, cakes and sweets.

OPENING HOURS Tuesday - Friday Saturday and Sunday Public Holidays Monday closed

11:00-22:00 11:00-18:00 11:00-18:00

Admission: DKK 95 Students with student ID: DKK 85 Children and young people up to 18 Free admission Members of the Louisiana Club Free admission

LOCATION AND TRANSPORT Louisiana is situated 35 km north of Copenhagen and is easily reached.

By car: Take motorway E47 / E55 or enjoy the scenic route along the Øresund coast.

By rail: Approx. 35 minutes from the Copenhagen city center. 10 minutes from Helsingør to Humlebæk Station.

From Humlebæk Station there is a 10-minute walk to the museum.

Special discount tickets can be bought at all major DSB stations in the metropolitan area.

IN 2011 THE LOUISIANA MUSEUM IS SUPPORTED A.O. BY

the augustinus foundation louisiana live, louisiana library, louisiana literature, louisiana ON PAPER

MAIN SPONSOR

ACQUISITIONS TO THE COLLECTION

LOUISIANA ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITIONS Paul Klee & Cobra

LOUISIANA CONCERTS Picasso: PEACE AND FREEDOM

ACQUISITIONS TO THE COLLECTION

ACQUISITIONS TO THE COLLECTION

Louisiana Sponsor OF Louisiana FRIDAY LOUNGE

MEDIA SPONSOR

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shop

SCULPTURE PARK

CAFE

The Concert Hall

north wing GIACOMETTI JORN

LAKE GARDEN children’s wing

west wing CINEMA

GL. STRANDVEJ

east wing

(BELOW GROUND LEVEL)

HENRY MOORE

ØRESUND

south wing

west wing

Klee & Cobra 30.9.11-8.1.12

east wing

LIVING until 23.10.11 Louisiana Contemporary: Ai Weiwei 18.11.11-12.2.12

south wing

LIVING until 23.10.11 Louisiana on paper: Vija Celmins until 8.1.12 Kusama: Gleaming Lights of the Souls

Gl. Strandvej 13 3050 Humlebæk +45 4919 0719 www.louisiana.dk