Slow – an Evening about Obsession

On this evening, the Glyptotek marks the opening of two exhibitions: ‘Degas’ Obsession’ and ‘Gauguin & Kihara – First Impressions’. In relation to these, Slow examines obsession as a state of mind.

Edgar Degas and Paul Gauguin were both exceptionally obsessed with their life work. Throughout his career, Gauguin pursued the ideal conditions for life as an artist and the idea of “authenticity”. Degas returned to ballet dancers as a motif again and again and kept working on the same paintings for up to 30 years.

On the program:

• Welcome beer from Carlsberg (5 - 5.30 PM).

• Double exhibition opening with the French Ambassador, Christophe Parisot, and the director of the Glyptotek, Gertrud Hvidberg-Hansen.

• Talk. Exhibition curator Anna Kærsgaard Gregersen in conversation with author and cultural journalist Linea Maja Ernst about exploring Gauguin as a tourist, while delving into romantic travel descriptions, well-structured self-staging and the touristic desire for authenticity. Hosted by writer and critic, Bodil Skovgaard.

• Talk. In the Footsteps of the Scientists. Based on 'Degas's Obsession', exhibition curator Christine Horwitz Tommerup have a concersation with art historian Line Clausen Pedersen, Painting Conservator Devi Ormond and Physical Chemist and Heritage ScientistCatherine Schmidt Patterson, the latter two from the Getty, Los Angeles, USA. Hear about their years of research into dating Degas’ ‘Dancers Practising in the Foyer’.

• Live performance by singer and performer Goss in the Winter Garden.

• Music: French notes. Students at The Royal Danish Academy of Music, Nanna Else Johansen (bassoon) and Magnus Franyó (cello), play French classical music in the exhibition halls.

• Music in the Winter Garden and on the roof terrace. DJ Mademoiselle JekelEnjoy a beer with a view of either palm trees or the city's rooftops, when DJ Mademoiselle Jekel enters the museum. In the Winter Garden she spins vinyls with French 50s-60s chanson, pop, beat and Yé-yé, and on the roof terrace you can listen to her French mixtapes.

• Drawing workshop: The Devil is in the Detail. With pencil and paper, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating details of the sculptures and perhaps gain a greater understanding of how many hours and how much effort actually goes into creating a work of art of that caliber.

• An In-Depth Look at a Work. First Impressions: Paul Gauguin by Yuki Kihara. We delve into the Glyptotek's newly acquired video work by the Japanese-Samoan contemporary artist Yuki Kihara. Here we take a closer look at the artist Yuki Kihara and how her work presents a new perspective on Gauguin's paintings from Tahiti and the West's colonial presence in the South Pacific.

• An In-Depth Look at a Work. Beauty, Collector's Mania and Self-staging. We take a look at the Glyptotek's founder, Carl Jacobsen's driving forces and growing ambitions – from private art collector to public art patron and self-staging philanthropist.

• An In-Depth Look at a Work. The Dark side of Ballet. The ballet environment was a great source of inspiration for artists such as Edgar Degas and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. In 19th-century Paris, however, ballet was more than a graceful art form; between intermissions, the ballet dancers were to be at the disposal of the men of the bourgeoisie. We go behind the glamorous exterior of the ballet and take a closer look at Carpeaux’s bust portrait of the prima ballerina Eugénie Fiocre.

• French-inspired dinner in the museum café, Picnic.

View the detailed program.

Read more about the exhibitions: 'Degas' Obsession' here. 'Gauguin & Kihara. First impressions' here.

On selected Thursdays, The Glyptotek opens the doors for Slow – an evening concept with art, talks, music, food and drinks. Each time with a new theme drawn from the deepest layers of art. Many know the Glyptotek as a space for contemplation and reflection. This experience is enhanced when, on special evenings, Glyptoteket presents a program that invites you to come close to the art and immerse yourself.

Food and Drink in the Shade of the Palm Trees In the museum café Picnic you can have dinner and a cold beer with a view of Roman sculptures. In the bar in the Winter Garden, it will be possible to buy drinks and snacks all evening.

Sign up for the Glyptotek's newsletter (in Danish) here.

Thank You for the Support Carlsberg

The Exhibition is Generously Supported by Knud Højgaards Fond Jorck’s Fond. Konsul George Jorck og Hustru Emma Jorck’s Fond Danish Arts Foundation Hoffmann og Husmans Fond Toyota Fonden Gangstedfonden

The Research for ‘Degas’ Obsession’ is Generously Supported by Carlsberg Foundation The Getty Museum Paintings Council

Save 10 % by buying tickets in advance. The ticket includes admission to the museum all day.

Tickets can be purchased via Billetto. Tickets are non-refundable but may be passed on.

Buy a season ticket and get a discount on many other events as well as in the museum shop and café. Read more here.

Show your ticket in the ticket office and get a corresponding discount if you buy a season ticket on the same day. Contact the ticket office to hear more.

For information about wheelchair accessibility, companion arrangements, etc., read more here.