8 September 2023
For some students the day began at 3:30a to the sounds of celebrating – or just partying – individuals filling the streets of Vesterbro. The cause of this jubilance is still unknown. To others, primarily those who closed their windows, the day began, as most days in Copenhagen have, with a hotel breakfast consisting of bread, cheese, assorted meats, and fruit. Post-breakfast students proceeded, primarily on foot, to Kulturhuset Islands Brygge for the first of two class excursions.
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| Kulturhuset Islands Brygge |
At Kulturhuset (Culture House), students spoke with Morten Rubæk about the importance of public arts programming. Morten, a programming director at Kulturhuset, works with city officials, local artists, and community members to organize events for the public. Aside from public programming, Morten’s talk also featured a discourse on the challenges of navigating bureaucracy, and the impacts of gentrification. From Kulturhuset, students walked with Morten Rubæk to another venue – a space under a city library – which had been decorated with books the library had planned on discarding. This space demonstrated both an excellent example of reuse and the waste – both material and economic – generated by government programs.
After grabbing lunch at various locations throughout Copenhagen – including university campuses, 7-11, grocery stores, and Ikea – students made their way to The Church of Our Savior, near Copenhagen’s Freetown Christiania commune.
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| The Church of Our Savior |
From this location, students met “Han’s the Storyteller” a Freetown Christiania local who presented a brief overview of the regions history and took students on a guided tour. Freetown Christiania (or simply Christiania) is a intentional community. Initially started as a squatters community, it has progressed to be a legally recognized, land-owning neighborhood – albeit one run under a consensus government with rules separate from the cities laws. From Hans students acquired an understanding of the Danish Governments willingness to accept alternative communities, as well as the importance of consulting multiple sources of information when studying complex histories. Despite having a population of under one-thousand persons, Christiania is one of the cities largest tourist destinations, and is filled with a variety of buisness which generate revenue for the commune. Christiania was the last program organized event of the day. However, some students attended a musical event hosted at Kulturhuset in the evening. The students had a free weekend to explore the city.
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| Christiana Common Laws |
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| Christiania Troll Statue. A sister statue has recently been placed in Seattle. |
9-10 September 2023
As mentioned, there where no organized activities for these dates. However, students spent their weekend enjoying and
exploring Copenhagen’s parks, museums, castles, metros, and ballets. Below are some photos of their activities.  |
| One of several castles visited |
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| A Sculpture of A Sow |
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| Stairs and a Statue |
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| Mummies |
11 September 2023
students started coursework early Monday 11 September with a journey to Danish Architecture Studio 3XN. At 3XN students were presented with a brief overview of the Studios work, followed by a discussion on the work of a subsidiary group, GXN, to develop more sustainable, functional, and environmental building. Aside from being another foray into the world of Danish Design, the talk highlighted persistent course themes of clashes between economic realities, and ethical practices, the role of government in designing public policy, and the large amount of waste produced by urbanization and development. At this location students were provided with a meal by 3XN and discovered, in stark contrast to many American offices, that all staff were provide with a family style lunch by the employer. In addition, the presence of office pets caught some off-guard, but their presence was enjoyed by all.
Leaving 3XN’s office, students walked into the heart of Copenhagen to meet with Scott William Raby of F.eks an Arts Collective. With Scott as a guide, we learned about F.eks efforts to use art to spread public awareness of a wide range of issues – though most recent efforts appear to be focused on capitalism and the cities racist social housing practices. Students met under a mural sponsored by the collective – protesting capitalism – and moved from a public park. At the park all discussed the troubled legacy of King Frederick and artistic effort to address said legacy. Some (one) got distracted by an out of place Seagull. From their students moved to the botanical gardens and Copenhagen's Labour Museum to discuss the countries housing policies, and artistic efforts to address them. The academic day concluded at this museum.
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| Students Viewing the Mural |
A Confused Seagull
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens
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