Map of Mermaids Commissioned by the Danish Building and Property Agency Carved aluminum, tiles, beach stones

What role does art play in the world of seafaring? Maps from the Renaissance often included drawings of imaginative sea monsters and mythical creatures. These sea monsters were intended to make the maps interesting to viewers, while at the same time, the illustrations were believed to be scientific. It is a common fact among Danes as well as tourists that mermaids exist in Denmark. In this decoration, I work with maps and navigation in relation to an artistic conceptual world. Since ancient times, stars have been used for navigation, and mythology is connected to the constellations. The compass rose is taken from old sea charts. Mermaids appear both on old sea maps and have also historically been used as figureheads. One can see the sea monsters and mythical creatures as personifications of the forces of nature. In contemporary times, consideration of nature and climate, as well as the relationship between nature and technology, is more relevant than ever.

The art work is a site-specific total installation that takes its starting point in the area's uniqueness and history, relating it to the present. The work incorporates the paving as well as both walls.

The decoration consists of various elements: tiled pavement with inset map sections, a compass rose, and small mermaids. A large mermaid relief functions as a bench along one wall, and star constellations are placed high up on the opposite wall. The artwork is bordered by a series of natural stones resembling those found on any Danish beach. Mounted on the stones are aluminum starfish. The starfish visually reference the zodiac signs displayed on the wall, reminding us that the infinity of the universe is mirrored in the depths of the sea.