Things Matter
278 INDIVIDUALS COMMENT ON ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
What does it do to our self-understanding when only 5 out of 101 statues in Copenhagen depict women? How are we impacted by the sculptures and monuments in our public space? And what would we change if we could? These discussions have been explored and transformed into a 5-meter high collectively created art installation called “Things Matter” by 278 citizens, artist Randi Samsonsen, and Trapholt.
Everything that surrounds us contributes to shaping our self-understanding. How do we sense and experience the art that surrounds us in public space, and can we relate to statues and monuments erected in previous generations? In collaboration with the Faroese artist Randi Samsonsen, 278 participants have explored and discussed works in public space, using knitting to comment on existing works by creating modified miniatures of them. The numerous contributions are united in the work “Things Matter” – a giant installation that is now part of the museum’s collection. The project has successfully shifted the focus from knitting as clothing to knitting as an artistic object, inviting reflection on societal norms and traditions.
THINGS MATTER refers to the idea that everything around us holds significance, and materials, volume, and placement play a crucial role in our perception and impact on our surroundings. The materiality of artworks is essential to their meaning. The project aims to awaken our senses, sharpen our awareness, and encourage us to critically assess our surroundings.
Participation in the community is central, and the many participants from across Denmark have challenged their perception to works in public space through the project, sharing their experiences with others.
Explore the contributions with this interactive map.
The Artist:
Randi Samsonsen graduated from the Design School in Kolding in 2012 with a Master’s degree in Design, specializing in textile design. Today, she works as a textile artist and has exhibited in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Germany, France, Canada, the USA, and her homeland, the Faroe Islands. Samsonsen works as a daily teacher in design and textiles at Torshavn College in the Faroe Islands.
Stjernegaard Fotografi
The project is supported by Velux Fonden
