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A New Museum Jorn
In close collaboration, Silkeborg Municipality and Museum Jorn wish to develop a new museum – the working title of which is the Ministry of Disruption
Vision
Museum Jorn has a vision. The museum wants to set up a Ministry of Disruption. Realised in a brand new museum building located at the lakefront Søfronten in the heart of Silkeborg.
In this way, the new building will significantly power efforts to transform Silkeborg city centre and play a part in linking the city and the lakefront. Development plans are evolved jointly by Silkeborg Municipality and the private philanthropic association Realdania.
The aims of the Ministry of Disruption will be to challenge, surprise, disrupt, and instil courage to break habits and boundaries, ask questions, and put a different perspective on the world – very much in keeping with Asger Jorn’s thinking. An open and friendly place where everyone feels welcome and able to contribute, benefit, or just be. Everyone literally means everyone – from those who never set foot in art museums to seasoned art connoisseurs. From children and young people to adults and old people of whatever background or credo.
Why?
The museum has outgrown its site on the banks of the river Gudenåen. The premises are outdated and will be due for a thorough overhaul and remodelling in the next couple of years.
A new building will be an opportunity for the museum to develop in new directions and to become far more open and in dialogue with its surroundings. There is a distinct need, especially at this point in time, for applying new media in a setting conducive to deciphering, and offering new perspectives on, society. This is why the new art house is so important.
As an added bonus, the museum would become an architectural landmark for Silkeborg and an international attraction in a league of its own, attracting visitors from across the world, unifying the city in a hub that brings together culture and nature, invigorating the heart of Silkeborg by adding life, activities, and collective pursuits.
The art collection at Museum Jorn ranks among the most important collections of Danish and international art in the country. Asger Jorn and Per Kirkeby are two of the most significant artists in Denmark. The recent bequest of Per Kirkeby’s archives has facilitated bringing these two great artists together and to present, research, and find inspiration in their unique art.
In addition to exhibitions and activities, the museum will offer meeting facilities, communal workshops, café, etc., for some of the municipal activities organised for people in the city and across the municipality.
Where and how?
The Ministry for Disruption will become an integral part of urban development in Silkeborg. The private philanthropic association Realdania, Silkeborg Municipality, Museum Jorn, and a number of local actors have jointly evolved an overall masterplan for the lakefront Søfronten and the harbour front in Silkeborg. The masterplan pinpoints the optimal site for a new Museum Jorn, namely the present-day car park west of the Town Hall by the lake Silkeborg Langsø.
In the spring of 2021, Museum Jorn and Realdania have subsequently requested a so-called concept programme to be prepared for the new museum building. This has been done by the architectural firm Arkitema. The concept programme presents the vision and concretises the physical and organisational plans. This provides a sound basis for the continued external fundraising as well as the final architectural competition and realisation of the plans.