10 Must-See

Artwork: Elia
Artist: Ingvar Cronhammar
Location: Birk near Herning

One of Denmark’s most iconic artworks. The enormous steel structure rises like a futuristic temple with four stairways leading to the top and the chimneys. At (rare) intervals, Elia emits a flame toward the sky – a powerful encounter between technology and mythology.

Artwork/Place: Deep Forest Art Land
Artist: Various
Location: Døvling Meldgaard Forest

Here, art and nature merge into a magical experience. Hidden in the forest are artworks that both contrast with and become part of the surrounding landscape. Discover sculptures, installations, and surprising artworks in harmony with the trees, the light, and the changing seasons.

Artwork/Place: The Mural Paintings in Brande
Artist: Various
Location: Brande Town

In 1968, Brande—despite having only around 5,000 inhabitants at the time—became world-famous in Denmark as the first town to add color to gables throughout the city. This happened when the town invited a number of Danish artists to bring color to the building facades. The impressive murals create a unique open-air art experience.

Artwork: The House
Artist: Per Kirkeby
Location: Frisenborg Park, Ikast

Per Kirkeby is known, among other things, for his brick works—the very first of which stands in Ikast. “The House” is a minimalist and raw small structure that reflects the artist’s fascination with brick as a material. The house is inspired by the cult buildings of the Mayan culture in Mexico, which Per Kirkeby had encountered during his travels. He brought this temple architecture into a suburban neighborhood, merging historical sacred construction with Danish building tradition.

Artwork: Tear Down This Temple
Artist: Bjørn Nørgaard
Location: Ikast

A sculpture that challenges the viewer to reflect on our modern material consumption and our spiritual nature. Like the church it stands in front of, the sculpture is a place for contemplation. Contemplation about the walls we build up... and tear down.

Artwork: Angligården
Artist: Carl-Henning Pedersen
Location: Birk, Herning

One of Herning’s most unique buildings. The iconic A-shaped structure, designed by C. Th. Sørensen, was originally created to house a shirt factory. In the building’s courtyard stands one of Denmark’s largest artworks, “The Play of Imagination Around the Wheel of Life” by Carl-Henning Pedersen. The 220-meter piece is covered with ceramic tiles featuring the artist’s favorite motifs—fabulous creatures in beautiful blue tones.

Artwork: Stigfinder Stig
Artist: Thomas Dambo
Location: Svanholm Lake, Sdr. Felding

Unlike many of Dambo’s earlier trolls, “Stigfinder Stig” does not stand upright. Instead, it crawls on its limbs along the forest floor by the lake, gazing out over the water. These artworks are made from recycled materials and create a unique connection between imagination, art, and sustainability.

Artwork/Place: Egeparken
Artist: Various
Location: Birk, Herning

In the large circle in Birk stands a series of sculptures by various artists, showcasing a diversity of styles, materials, and genres. Several of the works were created in Herning while the artists were invited by Bitten and Aage Damgaard to come and work with art.

Artwork: Stenlaksen (The Stone Salmon)
Artist: Jørn Rønnau
Location: Karstoft River, Skarrild

A large stone salmon lies as a symbol of the unique nature of the Skjern River and its role in Danish cultural history. An artwork that celebrates the salmon and the major nature restoration project that has made the river one of Denmark’s most important natural areas. The salmon is an example of the “Land Art” genre, which lies at the intersection of landscape architecture and sculpture.

Artwork: Odin’s Eye
Artist: Bjørn Nørgaard
Location: Brande

For this sculpture, Bjørn Nørgaard drew inspiration from Norse mythology, where the supreme god Odin sacrifices one of his eyes in Mimir’s Well to be allowed to drink the water of wisdom. At the center of the artwork is flowing water, and above it the sculpture spreads out like an umbrella, featuring a beautiful glass mosaic in vivid colors. In each panel of the umbrella, Bjørn Nørgaard has formed letters in glass, and the sculpture represents the entire Danish alphabet.