Olafur Eliasson

To me, there is nothing more exciting than visiting a major gallery or famous exhibition while traveling. While in London in 2012, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of exploring the Tate Modern, a visit which happened to coincide with Yayoi Kusama's life retrospective, Infinite Kusama. In Barcelona, I had the chance to visit Museu Picasso in the historic El Born, and in Amsterdam, the famous Van Gogh Museum. With that being said, I could not leave Copenhagen without seeing Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk.

Riverbed and Model Room are site-specific art installations by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olfaur Eliasson. Running from August 8th, 2014 to January 11th, 2015, I caught the exhibit just in time, and I am so happy I did. Model Room is comprised of a large table with hundreds of geometric sculptures of varying sizes: models of his developing work. The amount of detail in each model was meticulous and beautiful. 

Riverbed however, is definitely the star of the exhibit. Made specifically for the museum, Eliasson filled the empty exhibition space with Icelandic rocks, creating a stream that ran through the three interconnecting rooms. You literally had to navigate your way through the exhibition, as if you were hiking through a rocky terrain somewhere in Iceland. The rocky landscape, stark white walls, and fluorescent ceiling created an extraordinary experience of contrast in which pictures do no justice. It was absolutely spectacular.

Model Room by Olafur Eliasson.

Riverbed by Olafur Eliasson.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gammel Strandvej 13
Humlebæk 3050
Denmark

Christmas in Copenhagen

December in Copenhagen is the epitome of hygge. The many Christmas markets around the city bustle with people, Copenhageners bike home with freshly cut Christmas trees in tow, and traditional Danish holiday treats, such as Æbleskiver and Vaniljekranse cookies fill every bakery window. It's a magical time of year in Copenhagen, and Christmas spirit is everywhere. 

Although Denmark is very dark in December - sometimes seeing no more than a few hours of sunlight a day - I managed to make the most of my two days in the city. My sister and I did lots of Christmas shopping and spent most of our time hanging out in Nørrebro, where we were staying. We enjoyed chai lattes at Kaffekilden and espressos from The Coffee Collective, went vintage shopping at Prag, drank Mikkeller Christmas beers at Ølbaren, and caught a movie at Empire Bio. I also fit in a quick trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art to catch a special exhibition days before it's end - and I am so happy I did.

However, the best part about visiting Copenhagen is the opportunity to see my wonderful Danish family. Copenhagen is and will always be my second home, and every time I return, it feels as if I never even left.