An inflatable flock of chickens and a burned-down preschool. An outboard motor as a national symbol of Greenland. In the exhibition Group Therapy — New Contemporary Art at ARKEN, contemporary art unfolds in many forms. Sharp, insightful, caring, dynamic and humorous - the artists explore our era and invite us to reflect on our place in the world. The exhibition's works have recently been added to the museum's permanent collection, and they are presented in an exhibition that promotes conversations about conflict, emotions, hope and healing.

In her installation, Lisa's Chickens (Farm Life), Benedikte Bjerre has given a large flock of helium hens the 50 most popular girl names in Denmark right now, raising playful questions about our market-driven and gendered world. Cliché-filled ideas about gender are also challenged by Tora Schultz, who, with her Prada stilettos, inspired by the poster for the Hollywood film The Devil Wears Prada, humorously criticises the sex symbols of the fashion industry and the demeaning propensity of our society to compare powerful women to the devil. Martin Brandt Hansen punches a hole in the stereotypical notion of national identity with works such as Uummat (heart in Greenlandic) in which he transforms a Honda engine — a global symbol of strength, speed and power — into an elegant and humorous monument to today's Greenland.

The contemporary art and new works in ARKEN's permanent collection illuminate global inequalities through personal narratives, encouraging us to imagine a different world. With political courage and poetic force, the exhibition's artists tackle themes such as climate crisis, identity, gender, sexuality, community and belonging, and explore how ideas like sustainability, culture and economics intertwine in new ways.

The world is in crisis – this is the reality currently unfolding in the lives of people. Living in a time of climate challenge and war can be tough — both for individuals and for communities. In such times, art is an important shared space for conversation and growth. That's why ARKEN invites you to explore art's ability to communicate agendas and start conversations and dialogues when the museum opens its exhibition on 29 February featuring new acquisitions from the Danish contemporary art scene.

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The exhibition presents artworks by:

Louka Anargyros

Benedikte Bjerre

BURN OUT (Jes Brinch &

Henrik Plenge Jakobsen)

Ismar Čirkinagić

Stine Deja

Ditte Ejlerskov

Martin Brandt Hansen

Marie Kølbæk Iversen

Sophia Kalkau

Simone Aaberg Kærn

Peter Land

Marie Munk

Rasmus Myrup

Tabita Rezaire

Luna Scales

Tora Schultz

Jakob Kudsk Steensen

SUPERFLEX

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Smiling warzone
'Smiling warzone' shows Simone Aaberg Kærn's flight from Lille Skensved near Køge to Kabul in Afghanistan.
The film (1 hour and 18 min.) runs Wednesday-Sunday at 11.30 and at 14.30 in the cinema.

Therapy Cart
Come along and experience a different kind of art tour that gives new perspectives on our shared world. 'Therapy Cart' is a pop-up 'therapy room' with an art facilitator, where we sit on cushions, blankets and stools and immerse ourselves in works together: What awakens art in you? What does it make you want to express? There are no stupid questions - you just have to be interested in hearing each other's thoughts about art conveyed in new ways.
Participation is free with the purchase of an entrance ticket - everyone is welcome, but recommended for people above the age of 15. The Therapy Cart rolls out every other Saturday at 12.00-12.50 with first trip on 09.03.24.