Copenhagen Contemporary to drop anchor at Refshaleøen Island this summer

B&W's old welding hall and the framework of the new art centre Copenhagen Contemporary, 2018. Photography: Katrine Jungersen Hansen — B&W’s old welding hall and the framework of the new art centre, Copenhagen Contemporary, 2018. Photography: Katrine Jungersen Hansen

Copenhagen Contemporary will be moving to new digs on the city’s Refshaleøen Island in June, after a successful 18-month pilot scheme which saw it become the most visited art gallery in Denmark.

The art centre began life on the city’s Paper Island in 2016 but closed its doors to make way for the area’s redevelopment led by Danish practice COBE. Now it will take over a 7,000 sqm former industrial welding hall on Refshaleøen – an emerging cultural hub.

Director Marie Nipper inside hall 1. Copenhagen Contemporary, 2018. Photography: David Stjernholm

Copenhagen Contemporary’s new space features a flexible floorplan and high ceilings, perfectly suited to the art centre’s programme of colossal installations. Past exhibitions have included vast lead warplanes by Anselm Kiefer and a 30m-long ‘Unidisplay’ work by Carsten Nicolai.

Former interim director of Tate Liverpool Marie Nipper has been enlisted to steer the ship and the new space is scheduled to open on 28 June 2018 with SUPERFLEX’s kinetic exhibition One Two Three Swing!, first shown at London’s Tate Modern.

Hyundai Commission 2017: SUPERFLEX *One Two Three Swing!* , installation view. Tate Modern, 3 October 2017 – 2 April 2018

‘At Copenhagen Contemporary we will continue the strategy of showing the big and technically demanding installation art,’ says Nipper. They will present a mix of ‘arts world stars’ and ‘new talents that mark the international art scene right now’.

Nipper is also ushering in a new education programme at CC, which will see 2,000 sqm of the venue dedicated to young people and children.

B&W's old welding hall from the inside. Copenhagen Contemporary, 2018. Photograph: Alex Laroux — B&W’s old welding hall from the inside. Copenhagen Contemporary, 2018. Photograph: Alex Laroux

All eyes are on Refshaleøen Island at the moment while the former industrial enclave is reborn as a cultural destination. CC can count Copenhagen Street Food Market, the Royal Opera and the new NOMA restaurant among its neighbours.

Back on Paper Island, redevelopment work is already well underway. COBE’s master plan includes homes, offices, events halls, and a new pyramid-shaped Waterfront Cultural Center designed by Kengo Kuma.