Speech at the arrival of the Life-boat in Copenhagen
by Jens Erik Sørensen, director of Copenhagen Contemporary.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends from sea and land, good evening everyone, and welcome here to Papirøen and to this gathering where we celebrate the arrival of the enchanting Life-boats in Denmark’s capital.

A particularly warm welcome goes to the artist and to the brave crew who have steered the ships safely through wind and weather, through straits and sounds, all the way to the quay here at Copenhagen Contemporary. It has been a courageous effort – just yesterday crossing Køge Bay in storm and gale.

With you, and with the ships, comes the good message that Denmark at present has two capitals. For besides Copenhagen, Aarhus has in 2017 been appointed European Capital of Culture. And it pleases me, as a Jutlander, that Aarhus has reached so far in competition with many European cities and that they, in this way too, are able to show their flag here in Copenhagen.

There are many ships, and there is much art. But ships created as pure works of art are a rarity, and works of art created as fully functioning ships in concrete are, as far as I know, entirely unique.

It is the Norwegian-born Marit Benthe Norheim who stands behind this wondrous project. I dare say that Marit Benthe Norheim has broken all boundaries and rules in her work to create these three ships, these three female figures, these three sailing sculptures, with the titles My Ship is Loaded with Longing, My Ship is Loaded with Life, and My Ship is Loaded with Memories – so beautifully illustrated here on stage through dance and music. They symbolize, respectively, the young woman, the fertile woman, and the mature woman.

When an artist has gone all the way to the limit in order to realize an idea, it gives us all an unforgettable experience. That is what art can do, and that is precisely what Copenhagen Contemporary here on Papirøen also seeks to show. In the hall next door you may go in and witness that there is another artist who has gone all the way to the limit – perhaps even beyond: Kiefer, who exhibits his four monumental airplanes in lead. In the same way, they challenge our senses and take us on a journey without our knowing exactly where, but with many possible paths.

The ships will remain here until the 11th of July, and I naturally hope that very many people will come on board, hear their story, and enjoy these works of art as they now lie gently rocking at the water’s edge. I hope for many visitors.

And finally, I would like to say that Copenhagen Contemporary has had the great honor and joy of being chosen as the city’s best art experience in 2017. And with the ships now moored at our quay, one can only say that the art experience has been enhanced. I hope that everyone will seize the chance to experience it, so I wish you great enjoyment during the time they are here, and a fine experience to all of you who dare step on board. Explore them, use them to reflect and to discuss the themes they represent, and we are truly delighted to be able to host them here in Copenhagen’s harbor until the 11th of July.

And we also hope to see many of you at the activities in Aarhus, where a whole wealth of fantastic art experiences will unfold – created by the citizens, with the citizens, and for the citizens.

Many thanks – and thank you for letting us come to Copenhagen.

Jens Erik Sørensen