Art in the Blood

Peter J. Lassen established the company Montana back in 1982. Today the bookshelves are world- famous and sold in more than 20 countries, whereas his great passion for art and his impressing art collection is still unknown to most people. Now a large number of his own and the company’s works of art are exhibited under the title “Art in the Blood” in the Utzon Center.

19 March to 2 May 2010 By Line Christensen, lich@aalborg.dk

In a co-operation with Peter J. Lassen the Utzon Center has got a unique opportunity to show a selection of the art projects, which his company Montana has sponsored throughout the years.

The exhibition “Art in the Blood” also includes works from Peter J. Lassen’s private collection, among others his grandfather Joakim Skovgaard’s painting.

“Through my entire life the art has been a strong source of inspiration. Its freedom-making energy has been and still is of vital importance to me. It is an enrichment to be surprised, to meet the unexpected in the art” Peter J. Lassen says about his passion. The works of art, which have not previously been exhibited together, include a wide range of the leading artists of the country. Among others Olafur Eliasson, Marco Evaristti, Ian McKeever, Jeppe Hein, Ursula Reuter Christiansen, Peter Bonde, Claus Carstensen, Malene Landgreen, Erik A. Frandsen, Superflex and Bjørn Nørgaard. The Danish artists Hilden & Diaz are also represented. In recent years they have been behind a series of video projections on buildings giving the illusion of the burning-down of among others ARoS in Aarhus, Vor Frue Kirke in Copenhagen and the Danish Institute in Rome.

Now it is the Utzon Center’s turn. With the illusionary burnings Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz aim to make the public reflect on fire and its most destructive form, war.

The exhibition can be seen from 19. March  -13. June 2010

Photos: Jens Morten