Understanding the Impact of Architecture: John Kørner lithographs at DAC
Exhibition
Apr 21, 2021 - Mar 6, 2022
Berlingske
Understanding the Impact of Architecture in 2021 presented artist John Kørner’s lithograph series on how architecture affects us—through glass and concrete, scale, control and our relationship with nature.
In the graphic series Understanding the Impact of Architecture John Kørner zoomed in on architecture’s affect and impact on society.
Today over half of the world’s population lives in cities. With urbanization, colossal new buildings arise. But how does this architecture – made of materials such as glass and concrete – affect us as human beings? What role does scale play in how we perceive buildings? Can architecture become too dominant? And what relationship do we have with nature? Kørner did not offer any easy solutions, but instead presented the problems and left it up to the viewer to reflect upon.
Kørner is most well-known for his colorful powerful paintings, but his graphic work is just as significant. Understanding the Impact of Architecture was framed in handmade frames designed by the artist especially for this series.
Note!
The exhibition was shown in the Hall and was open on weekends and weekdays when the Hall was not occupied.
Fundamental problems
John Kørner’s work might seem playful and light at first glance. But with a closer look, the societal problems he portrays are everywhere and unavoidable.
Throughout his career, John Kørner has depicted problems in society such as prostitution, war, consumerism and climate change. Problems that are more abstracts and thus harder to visualize, are often represented as colorful ovals in different sizes. Sometimes he arranges these abstract problems on shelves, at other times they might appear as ornaments on buildings or as products in a supermarket.
Photo: John Kørner
Photo: John Kørner 
Photo: John Kørner
Photo: John Kørner John Kørner
John Kørner (b. 1967) graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1998. His work has been exhibited in both group and solo shows across Denmark and the world, including the National Gallery of Denmark, Arken, ARos and the Tate Gallery in London. The works in this collection appear courtesy of Edition Copenhagen, Dannie Vieten.
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What was Understanding the Impact of Architecture?
Understanding the Impact of Architecture was a lithograph series in which artist John Kørner zoomed in on architecture and how it affects people.
When did the exhibition take place?
The exhibition ran from 21 Apr 2021 to 6 Mar 2022.
Where was it shown, and when was it open?
It was shown in the Hall in DAC and was open on weekends and on weekdays when the Hall was not booked.
What questions did the exhibition raise about architecture?
It raised questions about how glass-and-concrete architecture affects us, what scale does, whether architecture can become too controlling, and how our relationship with nature is changing.
What approach did Kørner take?
Kørner did not offer ready-made solutions, but presented problems and invited visitors to reflect.
What should I know if I only read one thing?
Understanding the Impact of Architecture (21 Apr 2021–6 Mar 2022) was John Kørner’s lithograph series on how architecture shapes us, shown in the Hall in DAC.
This exhibition is developed by Danish Architecture Center in collaboration with John Kørner
The graphic series is courtesy of Edition Copenhagen. John Kørner is represented by Galleri Bo Bjerggaard.