The Capital of Culture Flagships are ready for this year's summer cruise 2017
Press release from Aarhus European Capital of Culture 2017

THE CULTURE CAPITAL’S FLAGSHIPS, LIFE-BOATS, ARE READY FOR THE SUMMER CRUISE OF THE YEAR 2017

From May and four months onwards, the public has the opportunity, once again, to experience one of the flagships of the European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017, the three sailing sculptures Life-boats, which are created by the Norwegian-born artist, Marit Benthe Norheim.

This year, the summer cruise goes to a number of ports from Aarhus to Sønderborg - with a detour over Storebælt to Zealand and Copenhagen.

In the summer of 2016, the three fully functional sculpture ships set off from the port of Aalborg on their maiden voyage to a number of ports in Limfjorden and along the East coast of Jutland. Here, many thousands of visitors had the opportunity of experiencing the sculptures and the decorations, the music and the stories that the work brings along with it on its journey - Just as the boats were also a part of the magnificent opening of the European Capital of Culture in Aarhus in January 2017.

"The three amazing Life-boats have managed to move and awaken the imagination of all who have seen them gliding into Limfjorden and into the ports around the region. Now, the three boats set on their further journey towards new parts of the country, and we are enthusiastic about taking part in sharing their visionary messages - hope and optimism - with a new audience. With this journey, the European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 helps to bring new creative trends in visions for the future," says Programme Director, Juliana Engberg.

Visual artist, Marit Benthe Norheim, is the person behind the sculpture ships, which are shaped as female bodies. Every ship represents a stage in a woman's life: My ship is loaded with longing (the young one). My ship is loaded with Life (the pregnant). My ship is loaded with Memories (the aging).

Life-boats function as sailing houses of culture that seek out their audience and invite artistic exchanges in the ports on which they call.
"By having the sculptures come sailing to you and the audience being able to come on board and visit them, it means that art meets people where they are and gives us an opportunity to share something unexpected in the public space," says Marit Benthe Norheim.

Life-boats are three Ferro-cement sculptures, fully functional ships (CE certified) sailing with skippers, mates and crew, with approx. 4 nautical miles per hour and with green and sustainable electric motors as propulsion. They are 12 m. long, 4.2 m. High of which approx. 1.2 m. is below the water level - and weigh from 19 to 23 tons with half as ballast.

The eight year long construction process has involved ship engineers, boat builders and other artisans, a large number of volunteer supporters from many cultures, students, artist colleagues and research collaborations. Glassmaker, Peter Kuchinke, made the eyes.

During the trip, the ships’ port of calls also include Hou, Horsens, Juelsminde, Fredericia, Middelfart, Copenhagen, Sønderborg, Gråsten, Åbenrå, Haderslev, Vejle, Aarhus, Ebeltoft.