Nordic Lights
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2013 Nordic Lights THE ARTS IN DENMARK, NORWAY AND ICELAND with John McDonald 5–19 June 2013 (15 days) TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2013 Nordic Lights THE ARTS IN DENMARK, NORWAY AND ICELAND with John McDonald 5–19 June 2013 (15 days) Tour Nordic Lights leader Enjoy an in-depth look at traditional, modern and contemporary art, sculpture, design and architecture in the Nordic capitals of Copenhagen, Aarhus, Oslo and Reykjavik. In Denmark, highlights include the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, the Ordrupgaard Collection, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus. In Norway, see Oslo’s new Opera House, the Renzo Piano-designed Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Vigeland Sculpture Park and, of course, the Munch Museum. Finish with five days exploring the scenic and natural wonders of Iceland, plus its flourishing contemporary art scene. John McDonald John McDonald is best known as the art critic of the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Head of Australian Art at the National Gallery of Australia, a busy lecturer, and author of At a glance several books, most notably, • Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus Art of Australia: From Exploration • Experience the best Scandinavia has to offer in art, design and architecture to Federation, the first in a projected three volume • Discover the many great museums in Copenhagen and Oslo history of Australian art. John • Spend 5 days in Reykjavik exploring its flourishing contemporary art scene has a longstanding interest in • Explore the scenic and natural wonders of Iceland contemporary art. Last year he wrote the bulk of the catalogue for the White Rabbit Gallery, a new private museum of contemporary Chinese art. ICELAND Reykjavik FINLAND NORWAY Fly Oslo SWEDEN Coach Ferry ESTONIA Map is a guide only Aarhus LATVIA DENMARK Copenhagen LITHUANIA BELARUS IRELAND UNITED NETHER- POLAND KINGDOM LANDS GERMANY BELGIUM LUXEMBOURG CZECH REPULIC FRANCE LIECHTENSTEIN AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND Itinerary Tue 4 June 2013 Depart Australia Afternoon at leisure to continue your exploration of the museum, Suggested departure from Australia on Singapore Airlines overnight or to wander around Copenhagen’s buzzing city centre Strøget, and flights via Singapore. walk along its canals, cobbled squares and verdant parks. Optional evening performance of Tannhäuser at the Royal Danish Wed 05 June Arrive Copenhagen Theatre. Cost AUD 170 incl. 10% booking fee. Transfers excluded; Early morning arrival into Copenhagen. Hotel check-in available taxis readily available. B from 3:00 pm; if desired, you may pre-book your room to guarantee early check-in. The hotel is a design gem with a Sat 8 June Copenhagen welcoming atmosphere and minimalist stylish design, centrally Full day excursion to North Zealand, starting with a tour of located on the City Hall Square. the elegant renaissance castle of Kronborg, made famous by Tour arrangements begin at 4:00 pm with a short walking tour of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, and now UNESCO-listed. Visit the the historic centre of Copenhagen, including the colourful harbour castle’s chapel and the spectacular Knight’s Hall. district of Nyhavn, followed by a welcome briefing and dinner at a After lunch, explore the international collection of modern and local restaurant with John McDonald. D contemporary art at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and visit the Ordrupgaard Museum, including the wing designed by Thu 6 June Copenhagen Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid in 2005. The museum is home This morning visit the ARKEN Museum of Modern Art. to one of Northern Europe’s most important collection of French Constructed of white concrete and steel, and evoking the hull and Danish art from the 19th and early 20th century. Return to of a beached ship, the museum was built in 1996 to celebrate Copenhagen along the ‘Danish Riviera’, with lovely views of the Copenhagen’s designation as European City of Culture for that Danish and Swedish coastlines. B L year, and features modern works by Scandinavian and international painters such as Damien Hirst, Olafur Eliasson and Jeff Koons. Sun 9 June Copenhagen – Aarhus After lunch, visit the exceptional collection of paintings and Transfer to Aarhus by coach (3.5 hrs approx.). sculptures at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in fabulous architectural Lunch on arrival, followed by an afternoon tour of the ARos Aarhus surroundings. Founded by beer baron Carl Jacobsen in 1888, the Kunstmuseum, Denmark’s largest art collection outside Copenhagen. collection consists of works of art and artefacts from the ancient The museum owns notable collections of Danish art that span 300 cultures around the Mediterranean – Egypt, Rome and Greece – years plus a noteworthy contingent of modern art. B L as well as an extensive collection of Danish Golden Age, French impressionists and post-impressionist paintings, and the most Mon 10 June Aarhus – Ferry important collection of Rodin works outside France. B L Morning visit to Sculpture by the Sea. See the spectacular 3km long Fri 7 June Copenhagen coast line from Tangkrogen to Ballehage in Aarhus Bay transform into a giant sculpture park by artists from all over the world. This morning is devoted to the National Gallery of Denmark, the country’s largest art museum, which exhibits 700 years of Western This afternoon, transfer to Frederikshavn (2 hrs approx.) and art. The collection includes works by the Italian renaissance embark on the Stena Line’s overnight ferry to Oslo for a 6.30 pm painters Titian and Mantegna, the 17th century masters Rubens and departure. Accommodation in standard cabins with sea view and Rembrandt, 19th century painters of the Danish Golden Age such featuring shower, toilet, bed linen and towels. Buffet dinner on as Eckersberg and Købke, and 20th century artists such as Henri board. B D Matisse, Edvard Munch and Emil Nolde, as well as Danish artists Asger Jorn and Per Kirkeby. Canal, Copenhagen Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen Continue to the Museum of Contemporary Art, which exhibits Norwegian and international art from 1945 up until today. The Sculpture by the Sea collection covers a broad spectrum of genres and media: painting, The story of Sculpture by the Sea, Aarhus started on Bondi print-making, drawing, photography, sculpture, objects, installation Beach in 2000. Here, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince and video-art. Afternoon at leisure. Frederik and Crown Princess Mary experienced Sculpture by the Sea. The young couple were fascinated by the Optional evening performance of the Norwegian National Opera’s splendid interplay between art and the surrounding natural production of Salome at the Oslo Opera House. environment, as well as by the visitors, who from early Cost AUD 145 incl. 10% booking fee. Transfers excluded; taxis morning to late evening, came in droves to experience the readily available. B sculptures. Crown Prince Frederik’s enthusiasm persuaded him to turn to the director of ARoS, Jens Erik Sørensen, in Thu 13 June Oslo order to bring this popular Australian art event to Aarhus. This morning visit the Munch Museum, containing Edvard Munch’s The idea received the full backing of the Mayor of Aarhus, bequest to the city of Oslo – a vast collection of his own paintings, Nicolai Wammen, and Sculpture by the Sea, Aarhus was drawings and graphic works. Then discover the Astrup Fearnley launched in 2009. Museum of Modern Art. Opened in 1993, the museum will move into a spectacular new building designed by world renowned Italian With approximately 500,000 visitors over a period of 4 architect Renzo Piano in 2012. Expect to see art works by artists weeks, Sculpture by the Sea, Aarhus is a fantastic success, such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Richard Prince, Matthew embraced by the Danes and many international tourists Barney, Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons. visiting Denmark. 2013 will see the third Danish Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. Afternoon at leisure. B L Fri 14 June Oslo – Reykjavik Tue 11 June Arrive Oslo After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport for the Icelandair Breakfast on board, before disembarkation at 7:30 am in Oslo. flight to Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital. First settled On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of Oslo including the Oslo in the late 9th century by the Viking Ingólfur Arnason, Reykjavik Cathedral, Akershus Fortress, dating from 1299, the Nobel Peace is today a modern but intimate city of 200,000 with a vibrant arts Centre, the Oslo Opera House, opened in 2008, and Holmenkollen scene, striking contemporary architecture and stunning natural ski jump offering breathtaking views of Oslo and its fjord. Stop for surroundings. a walk through the Vigeland Sculpture Park. This unique park is Arrive Reykjavik mid-afternoon and transfer to your hotel for the life work of Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) with more than 200 check-in and dinner. B D sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron. The sculptor was also responsible for the design and architectural layout of the park. Sat 15 June Reykjavik After lunch, check into your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Morning orientation tour of Reykjavik, including the Hallgrímskirkja B L Church and Höfdi House, best known as the location for the 1986 summit meeting between presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Wed 12 June Oslo Gorbachev that effectively marked the end of the Cold War. Visit Today visit two of the four buildings belonging to the National the homes and studios of two of Iceland’s pioneers of modern art, Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. Start with the National who both drew inspiration from the Icelandic sagas. The Ásmundur Gallery, founded in 1837. Housing the country’s largest collection Sveinsson Museum (1893-1982) is housed in a unique building of Norwegian art, the gallery also displays an impressive collection designed and constructed mostly by the artist himself and drawing of European art with works by Gauguin, Picasso, El Greco, Manet, on architectural ideas from the Mediterranean, the domed buildings Degas, Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne and Monet.