Total Length: 9 km
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The area of Christianshavn and Refshaleøen in Copenhagen is filled with inspiring public artworks by leading Danish and international artists such as: Maria Rubinke, Eva Koch, Olafur Eliasson and Kirsten Ortwed.
For CHART 2025, we are shining a spotlight on art in the public space. Throughout the year we will expand the dialogue around public art, exploring the ways in which it can build community, inspire new ideas, spark discussion and shape our shared environment.
One of the best way to experience public artworks is on foot. In our new series of Art Running Tours we guide you around Copenhagen, pointing out where artworks are transforming streets, parks and waterfronts into vibrant cultural landscapes. Enjoy this curated route as a leisurely walk or fast-paced run and take in stunning works that highlight the city’s architecture and natural beauty.
Sophia Kalkau, Zygote, Christmas Møllers Plads, 2023
Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Anders Sune Berg
Sophia Kalkau – Zygote
Begin the tour at Christmas Møllers Plads where Sophia Kalkau created the site-specific bronze sculpture 'Zygote' in 2023. The work consists of a mirror-symmetric bronze sculpture and two sitting stones made of Brazilian flamingo quartzite. The title 'Zygote' refers to a yoke or binding, symbolising the square’s role in connecting the two areas of Amager and Christianshavn.
The sculpture further enters into a dialogue with its surroundings and the history of the square. It stands monumentally, simply, and calmly in the bustling, high-traffic area, engaging in a geometric and historical interplay. Over time, the bronze will patinate, transforming the sculpture into a dynamic landmark.
Sophia Kalkau (b. 1960; DK) is a sculptor and photographer, and her work is included in institutional collections such as the Statens Museum for Kunst, KUNSTEN, and ARKEN, among others.
Maria Rubinke, I Found Myself Within A Dark Forest, Alchemist, 2018-19
Courtesy of the artist, Martin Asbæk Gallery and Alchemist. Photo by CHART
Maria Rubinke – I Found Myself Within A Forest Dark
As you head to Refshaleøen, outside the Michelin-starred restaurant Alchemist, you will encounter the two-tonne bronze doors created by Danish artist Maria Rubinke. The work, titled 'I Found Myself Within a Forest Dark', is a relief of twisted branches and unexpected details, characteristic of Rubinke’s artistic style.
The doors form a grand entrance to the restaurant, fitting of the extraordinary dining experience that awaits. For this work, Rubinke was inspired by the Dutch Renaissance painter Hieronymus Bosch’s 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' (1490–1510), a continuous and key source of inspiration in her creations.
Maria Rubinke (b. 1985; DK) is represented by Martin Asbæk Gallery.
Eva Koch, Buen, Strandgade, 1988
Courtesy of the artist and Martin Asbæk Gallery. Photo by CHART
Eva Koch - Buen
Back at Christianshavn, the sculpture 'Buen' (The Arch) is located on the quay at Strandgade 42 and was created by Eva Koch in 1988. The sculpture is perfectly suited to the maritime environment surrounding it, with the many iron rings commonly seen on the quays, which sailors used to securely moor their vessels.
The work is a hidden gem on Christianshavn’s quay and represents Koch’s site-specific and interactive artistic practice. Thematically, her works focus particularly on communication and the shared human experience, expressed in simple language.
Eva Koch (b. 1953; DK) is represented by Martin Asbæk Gallery.
Olafur Eliasson, Cirkelbroen, 2015
Courtesy of the artist and i8 Gallery. Photo by CHART
Olafur Eliasson – Cirkelbroen
Cirkelbroen ('The Circle Bridge') connects the Christiansbro area to Appelbys Plads in Christianshavn. Created by Olafur Eliasson, the bridge draws inspiration from sailing boats and reflects the district's maritime history. It features five staggered circular platforms, each with its own ‘mast’.
Eliasson’s childhood in Iceland, where fishing boats were often moored side by side, inspired the design, as it creates the illusion of being able to cross the harbour by walking from boat to boat. The circle encourages pedestrians and cyclists to slow down, creating a pause point and a new space between two urban areas, rather than simply offering the fastest route across the canal.
Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967; IS/DK) is represented by i8 Gallery.
Kirsten Ortwed, The Gate, Karen Blixens Plads, 2017
Courtesy of the artist and palace enterprise. Photo by Anders Sune Berg
Kirsten Ortwed – The Gate
At Amager, in the northernmost part of Ørestad, you will find Kirsten Ortwed’s work 'The Gate' by the main entrance to the University of Copenhagen’s South Campus. It consists of six stone-clad columns, each 7 metres high, and a mirror-clad wall 11 metres long. The columns are covered with three different types of stone in a horizontal sequence. The stripes reference the world’s oldest university, founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1088, while the use of mirrors expands the space, making the gate appear larger and brighter.
The columns symbolise the stability of the university, while the distorted reflections represent the chaotic reality that knowledge seeks to structure. The constantly changing flow of students thus experiences the interplay between themselves, the stone columns, and the reflections in the mirror.
Kirsten Ortwed (b. 1948; DK) is represented by palace enterprise.
