Copenhagen art from the series 'My Farewell Hugely Hyggelig Copenhagen'
5 years ago, as I was moving to Denmark, I was curious if what they said about Danes was true. Are they really one of the happiest nations in the world??
Today I can say it’s very likely true;) However I am pretty sure that this research was conducted during spring/summer time, when the sun is out and most of the people wear banana smiles on their faces. I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, I documented it all in my collection of Copenhagen art.
Where did all this people come from?
As I was saying…winters in Copenhagen can be gloomy and lonely. Streets turn grey without a direct sun light and the wind doesn’t invite to leave home. Most of the people go into ‘sleepy grizzly bear’ mode (and I am one of them!).
As soon as the sun appears, Copenhageners are out on the streets. Nobody wastes a single spark of sunshine and it doesn’t matter that outside temperature is still low. ‘En sol’ is out, so find your sunglasses, take a few blankets and eat your lunch outside on the street, while enjoying the warm rays of the natural light on your cheeks.
When the city turns into a beach
Each time I leave my studio on a sunny day, I am always amazed with the amount of people chilling and relaxing around Copenhagen. Do these people not work or are they all freelance artists like me? Don’t take me wrong. I think it’s amazing!
I assume it’s partly thanks to a reasonable work-life balance in Denmark but also to the fact that in Copenhagen one is always close to the water, city park or a beach, where you can quickly pop during your lunch break. Nobody is surprised with people sun bathing or swimming almost anywhere in the city!
When the beach is part of the city
Copenhagen is built according to the ‘finger plan’. A hand with wide spread fingers are where city officials allow infrastructure and the areas between fingers belong to nature. I am sorry, but if my explanation doesn’t make much sense, please google it. It’s quite fascinating.
Living in a city, which is so close to the ocean, was an unforgettable experience for me and I feel I like a never want to go back. What can give better perspective than a walk on a beach and a vast view at the sea until it touches the horizon line? You will say mountains or rain forest…and yes I agree but I am generally speaking about the power of nature here 😉 Copenhageners love to be outside and really use their green spaces!
When one has no care whatsoever
Spotting fun situations and interesting looking people is part of my creative process. All the drawings are a part of my collection of 257 sketches from Copenhagen – My Farewell Hugely Hyggelig Copenhagen Project (read more here).
Starting in their childhoods, Danish people are allow themselves the freedom of ‘me time’ and create safe bubble worlds around them, where nothing else from outside matters. No wonder that observing them during my 5 years in Copenhagen, I made a big progress in learning how to relax.
So if you ever plan to visit Copenhagen, try to synchronise it with the whether and come when the sun is out 🙂
My Farewell Hugely Hyggelig Copenhagen Project
Read more about My Farewell Hugely Hyggelig Copenhagen Project here Illustrated map of Copenhagen
