Gammel Torv in all of its Glory
I will begin my discussion with a favorite image of mine from a very special time in my life. The city square shown above can be found in Københaven, Danmark close to the address of Vestergade 7. The name of this special place is called Gammel Torv. While at the beginning of my time in Denmark I would not have been able to pronounce half of these words, now a year later, I dream of these words in my sleep…waiting for the moment I will be able to sit on that fountain once more.
When asked to consider the idea of energy, flow, and transformation through the city, I immediately can’t help but to think of the energetic beings that make the city what it is: people. But it is not only people, but people’s interactions with and within the city that create this pulsating energy flowing throughout.
Symbolically speaking I believe the most energetic areas of a city are its fountains, church stairs, parks, squares, and walking streets. It is in these areas where the city becomes transformed into a new stage for the street performers, a new canvas for the talented graffiti artists, or a new lectern for the politically charged. And even though these symbols throughout the city are static structures, the interactions people have with them and with each other gathered around them become an incredibly dynamic experience to be apart of.
There are many correlations with my interpretation of the city's transformation and flow of energy with Andy Goldsworthy’s work. Even though one lives in nature and the other can be found in urban areas both ideas are unexpected, temporary in nature, and amazingly beautiful.
So cheers to you, Gammel Torv! Your ability to bring people, ideas, and cultures together day after day is inspiring. Your ever-changing environment is a vehicle for the flow of energy within the city of Københaven. I will be back soon to enjoy the hours of stimulation you have to offer…