“A museum without walls.” Can you imagine such a thing? That’s exactly what the Museet for Samtidskunst is today. It is Denmark’s first museum of contemporary art. Founded in 1991, the Museet for Samtidskunst sought to showcase the newest art forms. These include sound art, performance art, video art and online art.
The Museet for Samtidskunst broke free from traditional frameworks. Now it arranges exhibitions in open spaces. But its history goes back further. In the mid-1980s, local citizens wanted a platform for experimental art. This interest grew from Galleri Sct. Agnes. The gallery showcased Danish experimental art during the 1980s. It all culminated in the Festival of Fantastics. Many international artists came to Roskilde for this Fluxus event.
Roskilde Municipality supported the idea. So the Museet for Samtidskunst opened in 1991. In 1994, the government approved the museum. This made it Denmark’s first contemporary art museum under the Museum Act. It had a special responsibility for temporal and hybrid art forms.
For 30 years, the Museet for Samtidskunst was in the Yellow Mansion. It showcased the latest art in solo and group exhibitions. The museum was also present in urban spaces. It organized the ACTS performance festivals. Also the Images 16 biennial and the Light Festival Parade. The Light Festival Parade became a tradition. It was part of the city’s annual Light Festival.
In 2021, the Museet for Samtidskunst changed. It became Denmark’s first art museum without a permanent building. This was to better showcase hybrid and transient art formats. The aim is to create an accessible and engaged museum. A mutable museum that explores new ways of communicating contemporary art.
The Museet for Samtidskunst even has its own sound platform. It is called Podcast for Contemporary Art. The platform features new sound works created especially for the museum. The museum is known for its large collection of sound art and experimental music. Podcasts allow more people to enjoy the works. Users can listen to contemporary art whenever it suits them. The museum has released new works of art. Different artists have created experimental and personal pieces. The museum also released a historical audiobook from 1969. It is Erik Thygesen’s audiobook “Plus – a novel in time”.
The Museet for Samtidskunst organizes the ACTS festival every two years. It is a festival for performative art and sound. The museum also provides education for children and young people. In the museum’s bookstore you can find literature on contemporary art. Also you can buy tea and coffee.
So, as you explore Roskilde, remember the Museet for Samtidskunst. A museum that defies convention. It brings art to the people in unexpected and innovative ways. A true gem of contemporary expression.