Street art in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is not as established as in many other cities as London, Berlin, New York, Valparaiso etc. But it is emerging. I just spend a few days, but managed to discover some great art just in a few days in the city.
Street art and graffiti can be found all over the city, but there is a higher concentration in the neighborhoods of Vesterbro and Nørrebro. All the photoes shown here are from Vesterbro. I was suprised to see that most paintings here are huge! Usually covering the entire wall. But even so, many of them are well hidden between other buildings or narrow passages. You will either by accident see some, or you will pass, never knowing what you did not see... It happened a few times that I passed some without noticing them. First when I returned in the opposite direction I saw them.
In the 1800's butchers and merchants established themselves on the western side of the city. To day this area is called Vesterbro. It became the entertainment area which led to prostitution, crime and drugs. It is still the Red Light district, even though it's reputation has changed. In addition many ethnic restaurant and trendy cafees, and shops have established themselves here.
In 2015 Danish photographer Søren Solkær opened his Surface exhibition in Copenhagen, featuring portraits of world famous street artists. He invited 6 of them to create murals in Copenhagen leading up to this exhibiton. I managed to find 5 of them.
The first one is a brightly colored mural created by Maya Hayak, a Brooklyn based artist. There is actually another layer of paint that makes it look weathered.
The second one is one of the most iconic murals in Copenhagen. Painted by Chineese born DALeast. He is famous for his etching style technique. That tecnique makes his work easily recognizable. The line on top saying «I'm gay» was added by some other person. I saw some of his work in Windhoek, Namibia @digi-me/street-art-by-chinese-artist-daleast-in-namibia
The third is done by Irish Connar Harrington. He has also done one in Aalborg (Denmark).
The fourth was created by HuskMittNavn ( Danish, meaning: Remember My Name ) It is one of Copenhagen's most famous murals. A father and son theme. Unfortunatly there is so little space between the wall with the mural and the little house besides it. That little house is actually a hotel and cafe. The smallest hotel in Copenhagen – they only have one room!
The fifth one is done by the artist named Roa. There is a school here and the building with the mural is actually a safe-house for prostitutes.
Some graffiti is «illegal». Like this one painted by an artist named SPYO. A Danish graffiti artist and a self-proclaimed outsider. He has no desire for or respect for the «established society». Besides larger pieces he also writes protests on rooftops and facades all over Copenhagen.
As I kept walking I came across this large and colorful mural. I do not know who the artist is, but I still think it really adds color to this street.
The text line underneath says «Roskilde festival» which is an event held each year in the city of Roskilde.
I managed to pass this large mural without seeing it, when I walked the street the first time! It is dedicated to one of Denmarks leading cartoonists: Storm P.
This beautiful painting is done by Treze. Westend holds a special place in Copenhagen's street art scene. This pasage is actualy the scene of a changing art gallery. The murals change frequently, so next time I will be in Copenhagen, I am not quaranteed to see this painting again! I am sure Copenhagen will give me som other surprises.
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Latest street art post, check out :
STREET ART #31 – The urban art scene in “The Land of Fire"
U.J
Kristiansand, Norway
All the photoes are mine, Ulla Jensen (flickr, Instagram and facebook)
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 55.680212 lat 12.588880 long STREET ART #32 – Graffiti and street art in Copenghagen (Denmark) d3scr)
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