DENMARK : A new artistic concept burns a museum in Aarhus, Denmark - the city where the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed were produced.

Artists Antonio Diaz from Argentina and Thyra Hilden from Denmark draw attention to the destruction the Western world has caused in political hot spots around the world through an unconventional artistic concept. They've started by 'burning' a famous museum in Denmark and will move on to replicating the artwork at the Louvre in Paris and the Coliseum in Rome. Antonio Diaz and Thyra Hilden say they are inspired by the media, the violence and the fires, that are seen a lot - and mostly in foreign countries - involving western nations. The pair wish to create a cultural dialogue about the destructive forces inherent in Western civilization, and are using ARoS, the biggest modern museum in Scandinavia, to do it. "This museum, in particular, is kind of a wonder for the city. It's an amazing architecture and holds very important pieces for Scandinavia - and it's the biggest museum in Scandinavia," said artist Pio Diaz. As the public passes the museum, which was built in 2004, it actually looks like it is burning, with flames projected on the walls and windows. "It's a monumental art piece. I think it will have an enormous effect and impact on the way we look at the art institutions - and the institution, that is being burned. Burning is not only a destructive - symbolic destruction, it's a way of creating new life," said the museum's curator, Gitte Ørskou. Artist Thyra Hilden spoke of their future plans which are to take place within the next year. "We start here in the museum and then we will go further in Europe and burn Louvre in Paris and the Coliseum in Rome". Diaz and Hilden say they are using the image of fire to draw attention to the destruction of the Western world. Aarhus is also the town from which last year's controversial cartoons featuring Mohammed were produced which sparked several demonstrations. "It is exactly one year ago, that the Danish flag was burned and of course, that reality is part of our inspiration, but it is not a will to re-make these destructive acts. We do not want to provoke, but to create reflection and cultural discussion," said Hilden. "So of course - when watching this very strong fire - all the feelings that were involved in this - is a way to reflect upon all these feelings, so we can create a space dialogue - a space for debate," added Ørskou. Much dialogue has been taking place between Muslims and Danes in Aarhus. "If you do look out in the world today you see a lot of crisis. Crisis is misunderstanding. People can not communicate to each other and I think art has always been a very good way to show and to make a debate," said student Christina Sindberg. 'ARoS on Fire' aims to remind people of the real damages man-made fires are causing around the world everyday. At the same time, the impressive fire is supposed to reflect upon human's instinctive reaction to fire - a reaction that is caught between fear and fascination. "Well the idea with this project being of this scale is because we want to be able to bring it to the public in a continual manner. And here, in this city, where the cartoons happened, it has been very well received and has a very important reason, and it is the only one, right? We want to discuss the 200 million years of history of man and fire, of the duality - man and fire," said Diaz. Fire seems to create a lot of emotion; and every night for the rest of the month, the largest museum in Scandinavia - placed in the home of the controversial cartoons - will be burning to find a new beginning.

ITN Source | January 26, 2007

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