The Thott Palace is one of the architectural gems in Kongens Nytorv and in the center of Copenhagen. Throughout its long and rich history, it has always been a meeting place for Danish and French artists, and has for more than a century housed the French Embassy. In keeping with this tradition, the Institut français, the French Cultural Center in Denmark, and the Embassy are opening the doors of the Palace to the public for the exhibition ‘Carte Verte’ from 11 to 31 October 2024.
7 French and Danish contemporary artists have been invited to occupy the Embassy's magnificent reception rooms, richly decorated with a wealth of artistic treasures (tapestries, Sèvres porcelain, antique furniture) in 18th-century style. The featured artists are Tiphaine Calmettes, Valentine Huyghues-Despointes, Nina K. Ekman, Maria Koshenkova, Edith Meusnier, Prune Nourry, and Charlotte Thrane.
‘Carte Verte’ addresses one of the greatest challenges of our time, the green transition. The exhibition makes room for art's perspectives on the state of the planet, nature, and the green agenda. The artists focus on themes such as overconsumption, global warming, ocean pollution, and climate change with works that are both utopian and dystopian. They each offer a unique take on the exhibition's theme and enter into dialogue with the unique setting of the Palace. Several of the artists have worked with recycled materials such as old mattresses,
yarn scraps and glass bottles from the Embassy's various events.
The exhibition invites the public to discover or rediscover the embassy building and to take a fresh look at this Baroque jewel, which is completely transformed by a series of impressive, eye-catching, and site-specific artistic installations. The exhibition is curated by Natalia Gutman.
Institut français and the French Embassy in Denmark are proud to present this exhibition with the generous support of Institut français in Paris, the New Carlsberg Foundation, the Augustinus Foundation, the William Demant Foundation, the Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation, the Arne V. Schleschs Fond, Paule Mikkelsens Mindelegat and the City of Copenhagen.
