Meheq Reporting Live from Aarhus, Denmark for September 2nd and 3rd

Hej! Welcome back to our blog! This is Meheq Bawa (she/her/hers) reporting to you for September 2nd and 3rd, our first days in Aarhus, Denmark! From reflecting on themes of nationalism to weaving together art and music, our first couple days in Aarhus were filled with public art, discussion, and reflection. Our critical and comparative lenses were widened and perspectives challenged throughout our stimulating group discussions and time exploring the ARoS Museum. 

Saturday, September 2nd 

Unsettled, empowered, and discouraged are just a few emotions that filled the whirlwind that was our first day in Aarhus. Despite the fact that many of us had difficulty sleeping through the night, we all made it down to breakfast to begin our first day in what's known as the city of smiles. Several students began their day walking through a local park, Rådhusparken, as we made our way to our first destination: the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. 

ARoS museum external view. 

ARoS museum entrance.

Before beginning our individual explorations throughout the museum, all the students gathered in the cafe to debrief, reflect, and discuss a few of the program topics. We reflected on how our perceptions and definitions of the program itself have evolved and developed as time goes on. Whether it be social welfare or public health, each student has begun to weave in their individual academic focus into the program and relate to the program topics. We shifted our discussion to how communities become fragmented geographically through cultures or border divisions. This led us to the main focus of our conversation of nationalism and national identity. We reflected on Danish nationalism compared to American nationalism and how it is talked about. From our personal experiences, while Danes speak about their country with a greater sense of pride and exceptionalism, Americans either discuss the US with a sense of embarrassment and shame or patriotism. We discussed how views on national identity differed from different regions in America, Denmark, and Canada as well. This conversation included reflections on educational systems, the historical narratives that were hidden or overlooked, and how that led to feelings of betrayal and helplessness. Our discussion ended on a note of using individual and collective activism as beacon of light amongst these conversations that can often evoke a sense of discouragement and hopelessness.

Group meeting for debrief and reflection. 

Lively group discussions. 

For several of the students, these feelings quickly turned to unsettling and discomfort as we began our exploration through the ARoS Museum. To name a few… 

In the ‘Disordered Desires’ exhibit, one collection illustrated different variations of uteruses (pictured below), suggesting commentary on public health and the rights women carry for their bodies. This piece illustrated a key element to the power of art by evoking emotions that oftentimes words can’t. 

Disordered Desires exhibit entrance. 

Collection in Disordered Desires 

Collection of uteruses, depicted in various ways.  

Collection utilizing wind and sound to create sensory experience. 

One of my personal favorite pieces was called Take Over by Anri Sala, which was a dark room with a screen that displayed large piano pieces and music playing in the background. Except what you hear and what you see differs. The pianist stops playing after a while, but the music continues to play. In this piece, “Sala questions the relationship between society and the individual. When does the system take control and press the keys instead of the individual human being?” (ARoS Museum description, 2017) 

Pianist playing piano.  

Keys moving without the pianist.

There was an exhibit called The Power of Images and contained a variety of graphic illustrations, meant to illustrate “Europe’s most emerging avant-garde artists in the 1960’s.” A particularly eye-catching piece, known as The Key for the Sympathetic Nerve System, was extremely detailed and captivating. It included medical illustrations of various anatomical charts and organs and was created to depict an intertwining of dancing shapes that “form a living field.” 

Power of Images exhibit. 

The Key for the Sympathetic Nerve System 

Gallery of images. 

Graphic illustrations in exhibit. 

We ended on a Rainbow walk through the top floor of the museum, which was a pleasant ending to a thought-provoking museum. Generally speaking, many of the collections were a sensory experience, including different uses of light, sound, wind, and imagery to create an immersive experience. We were able to connect, compare and question through observing and appreciating different forms of art. 

Rainbow walk. 

The day ended with several students heading to the Aarhus street market to enjoy a delicious variety of cuisines and food after a reflective day! 

Students at Aarhus Street Food Market. 

Sunday, September 3rd 

Sunday was a particularly exciting day for the students as we ventured on a boat tour of Aarhus! Eight of us had the opportunity to rent a boat and explore the canals and waters of the city. With good snacks and drinks, it was a great opportunity for bonding and connecting between all the students. 

Boating tour!

Visiting the Domen!

Enjoying the boat tour. Shoutout to Maia for steering the boat! 

After a bit of rest and relaxation, a few of the students made a quick visit to the Gender Museum. This museum was very interactive and informative of the evolution of gender, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ activism in Denmark. It included a timeline of significant events and highlighted diverse voices throughout the museum. It was interesting to compare the progression of women's rights and views on gender roles between Denmark and America and observe the similarities and differences between the two nations. Although our time was cut short, it was an illuminating and educational experience. 

Quick visit to Gender Museum.

Timeline of women's rights and interactive features of museum. 

Historical table of council at museum. 

Our first days in Aarhus were eventful, captivating, and interesting to say the least! It was an informative weekend with lots to reflect on and discuss. Even though sometimes these experiences can evoke a sense of discouragement and hopelessness, I hope that we take those feelings into account as we continue our program, questioning the narratives we're told, zooming in and out of our context, and continuing to reflect and activate during our time in Denmark and beyond! 

Bonus Video: Enjoy this visual video recap of the past couple of days! 

Until next time!

- Meheq