The Copenhagen of Dreams: Unbuilt projects from Holger Dahl’s book
Exhibition
Mar 18 - Jun 25, 2023
The exhibition The Copenhagen of Dreams in 2023 presented a selection of projects for a Copenhagen that could have been—but never was—based on Berlingske’s architecture critic Holger Dahl’s book Dreaming Copenhagen.
The exhibition The Copenhagen of Dreams was a stroll through a Copenhagen which might have been, but never came to pass because of economics, policy, protests, doubt, stupidity and everything in-between. In some cases this was a relief; in others it was a pity.
For example, in the 1960s the Danish state and municipalities were enthusiastic about a project that would have brought a six-lane highway above the lakes circling the old part of the city between Fredens Dæmning and Gyldenløvesgade in Copenhagen. Today the very idea seems completely crazy. On the other hand, it’s a pity that we will never see Jørn Utzon’s enchanting pagoda as Langelinie Pavillonen.
The Copenhagen of Dreams demonstrated that the Copenhagen we know today is often the result of a stream of coincidences. The city that seems so logical and clear is in fact a collection of experiments that became reality more by luck than by judgement. Copenhagen’s democratically elected politicians have only rarely looked to the future and thought about what would be best for the city. Far more often, they tentatively take the temperature of current ‘public opinion’ in a hope to be re-elected.
The ever pestering, vote-catching public opinion rules supreme as the most destructive force in the development of Copenhagen. And politicians, with their excessive fears of this very same public opinion, take a clear second place.
The British architect Norman Foster’s hotel tower near Tivoli, Utzon’s swimming pool by Peblingesø lake and PLOT/BIG’s homes on Amager are just three examples of prime architecture that could easily have permeated the entire city today, but which fell at the altar of public opinion.
Note! Minor Photo Exhibition
The exhibition was on display in the Hall in BLOX . It was open weekends and week days, when the Hall was not used for other purposes.
"This modest exhibition presented five projects that sadly came to naught, and a single project which, to everyone’s relief, ended on the scrap heap. Copenhagen is still a very attractive city, despite what never materialized, and despite the mistakes that did. So why not take a stroll around "The Copenhagen of Dreams"? Not in order to feed a barren bitterness or a melancholy sentimentality, but to fly the flag for creativity and dreams. Enjoy your stroll. "
About Holger Dahl
Holger Dahl is Berlingske’s architecture critic. He is a trained architect and, before his move to Berlingske, worked as a communications manager in architectural studios for many years.
In addition to the many articles, columns and commentaries on architecture, he is the author of the book “Drømmenes København” and the text part of “Copenhagen from the Sky”. He has also published both travelogues and a single novel based on his youth in China.
Photo: Suste Bonnén
The Copenhagen of Dreams
The exhibition showed a selection from the book “Drømmenes København”, Strandberg Publishing, 2022.
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What was The Copenhagen of Dreams?
The Copenhagen of Dreams was a small exhibition about a Copenhagen that could have been, but never happened due to factors such as economics, politics, protests and public “mood”.
When did the exhibition take place?
The exhibition ran from 18 Mar to 25 Jun 2023.
Where was the exhibition shown, and when was it open?
The exhibition was shown in The Hall and was open on weekends and on weekdays when The Hall was not booked.
Who is behind the exhibition narrative, and what is his background?
Holger Dahl, Berlingske’s architecture editor, who is trained as an architect.
What was the exhibition based on, and how many projects did it include?
The exhibition presented a selection from the book Dreaming Copenhagen (Strandberg Publishing, 2022), featuring five projects that were never realised and one proposal described as something the city avoided.
What should I know if I only read one thing?
The Copenhagen of Dreams (18 Mar–25 Jun 2023) was a small Hall exhibition based on Holger Dahl’s book, presenting five unbuilt projects and one “avoided” project.