Elsinore swimming pool 2003

Decoration, MaegaardDecoration, Maegaard

 Few places in the public space are dedicated to play. One of the few playrooms for all ages in Denmark is the beach. However, the season is short and the climate not forthcoming. But then we do have the natatoriums. The pool gives us a playground away from normal life; sets us free. My fresco in Elsinore Natatorium takes its focus from this freedom. Entering the natatorium should not be complicated. It must be straightforward and enjoyable, and it shall invite to a swim. But swimming is also serious. If you can’t, you risk drowning. My picture contains both play and seriousness. The play is in the character’s movements across the wall and the seriousness is captured in the disciplined composition. The pool lets you discover your own body and you are capable of letting it do almost all you want. My fresco includes all aspects of swimming. From dog paddle to water pirouettes. I have chosen a relative simplistic expression as I want the fresco to greet you in the moment you enter the hall. It shall convey that this is a place for play; it is pleasant, but also challenging. It is my hope that the visitors will discover their own capers. I have chosen to create the picture in ceramic tiles. The material communicates well with water and it resistant against the special natatorium environment. Ceramics as a material is beautiful and lively. Each tile has its own individual expression and the integrated whole creates a living picture. Handmade and hand painted ceramic tiles cannot be produced to an exact specification, so as an artist you really need to understand the soul of the material in order to comprehend such a large ceramic surface. I have found a workshop in Denmark that had the courage to take on a project of this scale: Kähler Keramik in Næstved. Although historic production records do exists, they do not guarantee reproduction after several generations as the materials changes over time. Today’s clay, for example, is not from the same geological layers as the clay used 100 years ago. Hence, it took quite some research and experiments with materials, castings, color, glazing and painting techniques before we had a successful process. The resulting process worked as predicted and the result can now be seen in Elsinore Natatorium. The picture measures 5.7 x 5.2 meter and is composed of 238 tiles, each of which measures about 30 X 40 cm. The picture was put in place in August 2005 and is sponsored by Elsinore City Council as well as Frederiksborg County’s Arts Committee.[i]

Decoration, MaegaardDecoration, MaegaardDecoration, Maegaard

Decoration, MaegaardDecoration, MaegaardDecoration, Maegaard