Jørn Utzon Horisont: Retrospective solo exhibition at DAC
Exhibition
Nov 7, 2018 - Mar 10, 2019
Berlingske
Børsen
Politiken
Jørn Utzon Horisont in 2018 traced how Utzon’s travels and encounters with local cultures shaped his architecture—from the Arab world and Asia to Mallorca.
In 2018 Jørn Utzon would have celebrated his 100th birthday. We honored the Danish starchitect with the solo exhibition Horisont presenting Utzon’s many travels and his curiosity for foreign cultures which influenced his wonderful iconic architecture.
In the exhibition you could travel with Utzon on his many journeys to the Arab region across Northern Africa, Central America, Asia and to his second home, Mallorca.
Utzon was captivated by local cultures wherever he went. And in his architecture the source of inspiration is easily traced in both form and function.
Photo: Thorbjørn Hansen 
Photo: Thorbjørn Hansen
Utzon also brought inspiration from his previous journeys to his projects in other countries – an example is the Sydney Opera House inspired by Chinese temples.
Sydney Opera House is probably the one building which most of us connect to Jørn Utzon. In this exhibition you’ll get a close and rare perspective on this masterpiece which most architects can only dream of having designed – and which is now an iconic landmark for a whole continent.
Utzon was inspired by temples and the shapes of their roofs, which almost gave the impression of floating freely above elevated platforms. It was this illusion of the floating roof that he wanted to recreate for the Sydney Opera House.
Photo: Utzon Archives / Utzon Center, Jozef Vissel 
Photo: Utzon Archives / Utzon Center, Jozef Vissel
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is uniquely positioned at Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbor. Here, the building can be seen from afar, adding to its status as the city’s icon and main tourist attraction.
Photo: Arvin Wiyono - Unsplash
Bagsværd Church
From the outside, Bagsværd Church doesn’t look like a traditional church. But once you step inside, you enter a divine space bathed in daylight and with a fine combination of soft shapes and sharp edges. The white concrete ceiling undulates across the entire space, gently reminding visitors of clouds drifting by.
Photo: Erik Christensen - Creative Commons SA 3.0
Photo: Sandra Gano – arkitekturbilleder.dk 
Photo: Utzon Archives / Utzon Center, Jozef Vissel
The Parliament in Kuwait
The Parliament in Kuwait is a good example of how local cultures inspired Utzon’s architecture. The inner structure is designed as an Islamic bazaar and the facades are inspired by Bedouin tents.
Photo: Utzon Archives / Utzon Center, Jozef Vissel
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What was Jørn Utzon Horisont?
Jørn Utzon Horisont was a solo exhibition at DAC focusing on Utzon’s travels and his curiosity about other cultures, and how this shaped his architecture.
When did Jørn Utzon Horisont take place?
The exhibition ran from 7 Nov 2018 to 10 Mar 2019.
What was the exhibition’s main focus?
It explored how Utzon drew inspiration from local cultures during his travels and how these influences shaped both form and function in his buildings.
Which travel regions are mentioned?
The exhibition mentioned the Arab world, North Africa, Central America and Asia, as well as Utzon’s second home on Mallorca.
Which works are mentioned as key reference points?
The exhibition mentioned the Sydney Opera House, Bagsværd Church and the National Assembly Building in Kuwait.
What should I know if I only read one thing?
Jørn Utzon Horisont (7 Nov 2018–10 Mar 2019) was a retrospective exhibition showing how Utzon’s travels shaped his architecture through encounters with local cultures.