Routes and inspiration for exploring at your own pace.
When exploring the Artland, you can choose to do so based on one of our themed tours. You can see and read about them here, but what they all have in common is that since the 1960s, art has played a significant role in the landscape of Herning, Ikast, and Brande—both physically and metaphorically. Art has become an integral part of life: in streets and alleys, forests, and parks; in institutions, museums, and the business community.
Set aside a day to experience the Birk district and all the art it has to offer.
Birk began as an industrial park for the textile industry in Herning. Today, it is home to businesses, educational institutions, and art museums. The architecture in Birk is quite distinctive, and as the title suggests, the color white plays an important role.
Go exploring in nature and let both children and adults be surprised by artworks that appear among the trees, suddenly stand strikingly before you, or come crawling along the forest floor. Art that must be discovered is the common thread across the three different works and locations. Deep Forest Art Land is a forest filled with various sculptures and pieces by many different artists. The land art piece Laksen tells the story of wildlife and the major nature restoration project at the Skjern River. Pathfinder Stig is one of Thomas Dambo's many trolls, built by volunteers from recycled materials, hiding in the Danish landscape.
The artistic expressions here are diverse—just like the many colors in Odin's Eye. The title of the work was inspired by Norse mythology, as chosen by artist Bjørn Nørgaard. The myth tells of Mimir's well, which lay at the foot of the tree Yggdrasil. Mimir was the wisest man in the world, and he gained his wisdom by drinking from the well's waters. The god Odin desired wisdom so deeply that he gave one of his eyes to Mimir in exchange for a drink from the well. According to legend, Odin’s eye now lies at the bottom of Mimir’s well. The artwork consists of a basin of water and a kind of pavilion with glass mosaics. In the many colored glass pieces, you can see the letters of the entire alphabet.
On the gables in Brande, you’ll find everything from Alice squeezed into Wonderland to dancing organic forms. The many different artists—Danish, local, and international—work in a wide range of styles. In addition, the artworks were created over a long time span. The first pieces date back to 1968. See more here.
Kunstpakhuset is a hub between Ikast and contemporary Danish and international art. If you're curious about what modern art can look like, Kunstpakhuset hosts many rotating exhibitions across its 230 square meters. The venue also offers talks with artists, among others, giving you insight into their thoughts and work.
