Ben Hamilton
May 10th, 2022

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In his series ‘Modifications’, which spanned the late 1950s and early 60s, Danish Situationist artist Asger Jorn would buy kitschy paintings from flea markets and add his own graffiti: abstract or grotesque drawings, sometimes even added beards or mustaches, along with scribbled text.

At the time, it was perceived to be a criticism of the avant-garde movement that he was often associated with – most notably with the Cobra international movement.

So perhaps he would have some sympathy with the 44-year-old artist who made an addition to one of his works at Museum Jorn in Silkeborg.

The difference, of course, is that Jorn made alterations to crap he found in markets, while his 1959 painting, ‘Den ururoligende ælling’ (the disturbing duckling), although still arguably crap, is worth millions of kroner. Or at least it was.

Make that a double
The ‘artist’ in question, Ibi-Pippi Orup Hedegaard, signed her name and used copious amounts of glue to affix her likeness to the painting. She was arrested and then released after questioning. Charges are expected.

Upon her release she took to Facebook to write: “I have just visited the Jorn Museum in Silkeborg and made a double modification. I have mounted a picture of myself on top of the famous duckling. It is glued on. In addition, I have signed the work, as it is now an Ibi-Pippi work and not an Asger Jorn.”

It is believed that Orup, who recently underwent a legal gender reassignment to become a woman without making physical changes, was in the company of provocative artist Uwe Max Jensen at the time.

In a video, Jensen can be heard complaining that Ibi-Pippi did not show off his penis inside the museum.

Shaken and disturbed
Jacob Thage, the museum director at Museum Jorn, told DR that he is “quite shaken” by the incident. The glue will be very difficult to remove, he said, and it is doubtful the painting can be saved.

“It is one of the very well-known Jorn modifications. It is one of his five most important works, and it is an internationally renowned work. A national treasure,” Thage told DR. 

Peter Beck, a valuation manager from the auction house Bruun Rasmussen in Aarhus, confirms that  ‘Den ururoligende ælling’ is one of the most famous paintings of its kind – mainly because of its reference to HC Andersen – and that it would fetch more than a million kroner if sold.

Presumably as ‘co-artist’, Ibi-Pippi Orup will argue she should be entitled to a cut of the proceeds.

Malmö Opera’s Danish director fired following crude email comment
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Roskilde Festival completely sold out
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Netflix to raise standard and premium prices by 15 percent from June 4
Netflix is raising its prices in Denmark from June 4. The price of a Standard monthly subscription will rise from 99 to 114 kroner, and the cost of a Premium account from 129 to 149. They enable subscribers to enjoy two and four simultaneous streams. The Basic option, which permits just one stream, will continue to cost 79 kroner. Netflix has promised it will spend the additional funds on producing even better TV shows and films – “series such as ‘Kastanjemanden’ and films like ‘Against the Ice’”, which were both Danish productions. 

Sixth best free art gallery can be found in Copenhagen
Davids Samling on Kronprinsessegade has been ranked the sixth best free art gallery in Europe, according to a list compiled by The Knowledge Academy based on an analysis of TripAdvisor ratings. Also known as the David Collection, it was the only Danish entry in a ranking dominated by UK galleries. The Wallace Collection in London was number one, and British galleries filled five of the top ten places and well over half of the top 36.

Local production cancelled due to illness
The Why Not Theatre Company production of ‘Dick’, which was set to run for eight nights in May, has been postponed indefinitely due to illness. All tickets will be refunded.