Oslo Plads 1
DK - 2100 Kopenhagen
Denmark
DEN FRIE CENTRE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
ABOUT DEN FRIE
The primary purpose of Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art is to show exhibitions rooted in the collective tradition and is especially focused on contemporary artistic communities, artists’ associations and experimental groups and networks.
The house is built and owned by artists with the fundamental aim to show the latest in contemporary art. Through approximately 10 exhibitions each year, Den Frie presents an interesting and varied exhibition program with both Danish and international artists, all of which relate to current issues. The house functions as a platform for contemporary art productions with participation of a great variety of artists and close dialogue between artworks, artists and audience.
Located in one of Copenhagen’s most remarkable buildings, designed by J.F. Willumsen in 1898, the facade of the building is decorated with a figure of Pegasus with a youth on its back, which in Greek mythology symbolises free art and inspiration of poet. The mantra was then, as it is today, that Den Frie is “highly absorbed in its contemporary age”.
Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art offers guided tours, teaching programs and workshops for children, young people and adults. The teaching is an integrated part of Den Frie’s profile and is planned concurrently with and in relation to the exhibition program.
Departing from the given exhibitions we offer guided tours, teaching programs, salons, artist talks, debates and seminars. Workshops and special teaching programs are furthermore organized across the yearly planned exhibition program. Den Frie’s goal is to be an innovative and process oriented communicator of contemporary art.
We wish to establish an educational meeting between artists, the art and audience. This happens among other things by focusing on the dialogue and by being open towards the individual’s interpretation and approach to the artworks – no matter age or previous knowledge. The teaching is aimed for everyone with an interest in learning more about contemporary art.
Via a wide range of communication activities Den Frie gives the visitors a possibility to become immersed in the exhibitions and their subject matters and to learn more about contemporary art in general.
Learning, exchange, reflection and the creative process are consistent areas of focus. We focus on these areas in order to secure a fruitful communication benefitting both the visitor and Den Frie.
We continuously document and consider the learning and skills that we are co-producers of. Furthermore we actively work to establish collaborations with new users and visitor groups.
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Den Frie Exhibition
Den Frie Exhibition was the first artists’ association to be founded in Denmark and for that reason has a significant role in Danish art history. Today, Den Frie Exhibition has 53 members, and every year it presents an exhibition at Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art.