Carsten Nørgaard’s Creative Works

This trash bin, draped in the colors of industrial society — hot molten iron, metal and coal — stands with provocative tension amidst the peaceful, lush greens of the surrounding natural world. Will humanity and Mother Earth ever achieve harmonious coexistence?

This street light — a product of human endeavor — is a visual metaphor representing humanity: the brain-bulb, representing intelligence and enlightenment, is encased in its sturdier, skull-shaped, metal shell. The two objects together represent the tangible and intangible aspects of our human condition.

Raised on a pedestal as a champion for humanity, intelligence shines with bravery amidst the gloomy, unfamiliar atmosphere. However, death (shown as darkness in the corners) is evident, and it is only a matter of time until the light is turned out.

What, then, is the significance of human endeavors?

Being a good example is like being a solidly rooted tree that has grown tall, up into sunlit regions: just like a tree branches out above the trunk, good examples transfer strength to others so they can reach their divine potential.

Location: Tøjhushaven, Randers, Denmark.

On a quiet Tuesday evening, one Baroque church in Randers was open with free entrance to an earnest musical performance: Solo violin accompanied by chamber organ or piano. Prepared for the evening were works by G.F. Händel, Olivier Messiaen, César Franck and J.S. Bach. As the audience grew quiet in anticipation, chandeliers above us came to visually foreshadow the aesthetic experience to come.

Location: Church of St. Martin, Randers, Denmark.