OPENS 2 MAY 2024
JEPPE HEIN – WATER PAVILION
Jeppe Hein’s spectacular new installation Water Pavilion Ordrupgaard is visible already upon arrival in the foyer where the delightful and lively movements of the cascading water spark curiosity and lead the eye out into the park. As a festive prelude, attention is thus drawn to the park’s sensuous art experiences which run parallel to the classical presentation of the galleries. With Water Pavilion Ordrupgaard the museum also adds another iconic work to the park’s ever-growing collection.
Jeppe Hein (b.1974) has made a name for himself internationally with participatory artworks that encourage the audience to playfully engage with art and to start a dialogue with each other. At the crossroads between art, architecture and technical inventions Hein creates works that are usually rooted in a simple pared-down idea, and often in one or more geometric shapes. The artistic expression thus harks back to the conceptual and minimalist art of the 1970s, but Hein’s works are intended for interaction and are meant to be experienced physically. They thus have intuitive appeal to both children and adults – typically containing an element of humour and one or more moments of surprise. The water pavilion provides an additional opportunity to not only see the surroundings from unusual vistas, but also hide inside the water enclosure.
LIQUID ARCHITECHTURE
This is also the case with Water Pavilion Ordrupgaard which is built around an oval outline from which numerous jets of water create water walls that alternately rise and fall. The water walls, which arrive at a maximum height of 2.2 meters, are constantly moving, creating new, ever-changing spaces that you can choose to enter, only to find yourself surrounded by a wall of cascading water. Whether you choose to walk about in the pavilion dry-shod or jump straight into the waters depends entirely on your temperament and personal inclinations.
A SOCIAL SCULPTURE
“Ideally, the installation promotes communication and empathy among the people who choose to let themselves be embraced by the circle of water,” states Jeppe Hein.
Water Pavilion Ordrupgaard also forms a spatial constellation where children and adults can feel connected through play. This also applies to those of the visitors who do not already know each other. For the collective experience will give rise to new, spontaneous encounters across generations, just as cultural and linguistic barriers will be broken down in the direct sensory encounter with art. In addition, you become aware of your own as well as other people’s boundaries: How far will you go when playing along? Do you step right into the work, or do you remain on the periphery?
A NEW INSTALLATION IN THE ART PARK
The water pavilion is a beautiful addition to the park’s other works, all created by high-profile contemporary artists with play and interaction in mind. Here touching, climbing and jumping on the art is allowed, making the park’s works a refreshing complement to the more traditional museum experience inside.
Jeppe Hein is already represented with two works: 1 Dimensional Mirror Mobile, 2009 and Semicircular Mirror Labyrinth II, 2013.
The park also includes works by Olafur Eliasson, Terunobu Fujimori, Carsten Höller, Klara Kristalova, Henry Krokatsis, Randi & Katrine, Tomas Saraceno, Simon Starling, Doug & Mike Starn and Eva Sørensen.
ABOUT WATER PAVILION ORDRUPGAARD
The oval outline of the water pavilion is divided into four internal water walls by water jets shooting up from the ground. The water walls reach a maximum height of 2.20 meters and randomly rise and fall, thus creating different spatial constellations.
Materials: Water, jets, nozzles, iron grating, stainless steel, electric pumps, programmed control.
Dimensions: 220 x 1200 x 1000 cm.
Water Pavilion Ordrupgaard has received generous financial support from Nordea-fonden.
