Why should there be a letter from København?
Since this is where I am, it's the reason why I'm writing from here. But why am I here?
This question is the first thing out of every Dane's mouth the moment they meet you.
And the answer is always the same. For people like me that is. I'm not a political refugee (at least not under current international definitions . . . though my escape from Raygun was very much a political decision). I came here because I met a Dane. This answer is expected and heads always get shaken in a gesture of "Of course." I met a very handsome, smart, open-minded Dane in Paris in 1986. So the following year I came to see his world. It struck me that it was all very old and foreign while still being utterly modern and familiar in that "déjà vu" kind of way. I decided to stick around and get the feel of the place . . . find out why I felt so strangely comfortable here.
Why should people care about Denmark or København?
Well, because Denmark IS different. It is a unique place; a pluralist democracy with deep-rooted socialist principles and headed by the oldest unbroken Monarchy in the world. HUH? Voter turnout here runs at an average of 85-90%. They love their Queen, Margrethe II, and their two handsome princes.
The Danes don't fix what isn't broken, don't throw the baby out with the bath water, and, despite the relentless whining, aren't about to voluntarily or involuntarily give up their ancient traditions and elegant contemporary culture.
Danish actors are now "American" movie stars in such popular films as Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, and High Fidelity. Arne Jacobsen's chairs have been turning up on movies sets for a half century, from films like Blake Edward's The Party (starring Peter Sellers) to Men in Black I & II. If you look closely, you will see a "PH" lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen in the 1920s, on the desk of the chief forensic scientist on the hit TV show CSI: Las Vegas. All things Danish are low-key and cool, always around, always practical, always in style.
This isn't a perfect place because people aren't perfect, but it is a society where people matter first and foremost. It is a place where children and old folks do not go hungry or without a doctor. It is a place where all energy needs are met without splitting atoms or wasting recyclable resources.
Denmark is the world's leading manufacturer of electricity-generating windmills.
It isn't perfect but there isn't really any place else that I know of which has put "best design" principles to work for the good of all the citizens with such positive and tangible results.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Why should people care about Danish Art?
Quick — name one great Danish painter. OK . . . name another one. Every Roman Catholic has seen Danish art, but just dosen't know it. But every Mormon does. Does that intrigue you just a little bit? Some people know that Gauguin was married to a Dane, had five children with her and then abandoned his Danish family here in Copenhagen. Those same people know he loathed the Danes and Denmark, despite living off his wife's wealthy family for years. Downstairs in my apartment building, five years ago, was born the great-great granddaughter of Gauguin. This delicate, blonde-haired child has enormous dark-brown eyes and a piercing, soulful stare which can stop you in your tracks. She carries on the family name in more ways than one.
Danish art is unlike other European nations' art. It isn't grand or glorious. It doesn't look like the product of huge ambitions and great expectations. It isn't flashy or tortured or "cutting-edge."
It's direct, truthful, poetic, full of love and understanding, full of living. There is a deep yearning in it . . . to know more, to understand more. It is, almost without exception, extremely well crafted. And most importantly, it is very, very beautiful.
I will be showing Danish Art to you on a regular basis, and telling you about the individuals and the society that produced it. Your gut reactions and any questions you may have are welcomed and will be answered to the best of my ability. Enjoy.
