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Superflex is aDanish artist group founded in 1993 by Jakob Fenger, Rasmus Nielsen and Bjørnstjerne Christiansen. Superflex describe their projects asTools, as proposals that invite people to participate in and communicate the development of experimental models that alter the economic production conditions. Often the projects are assisted by experts who bring in their special interest, these tools can then be further used and modified by their users.
Often their projects are related toeconomic forces, democratic production conditions andself-organisation. Superflex has examinedalternative energy production methods (Supergas[2]) andcommodity production inBrazil,Thailand andEurope in their projects, which both expose and question the existing economic structures. These artistic activities — as, for example, the ongoing project Guaraná Power,[3] in which the artists developed a drink together with localfarmers who cultivate the caffeine-rich berries of theguarana plant — are not necessarily opposed tocommercialism andglobalisation, but try instead to render economic structures visible and to establish a new balance.
Through their projects engaging with alternative models for the creation, dissemination and maintenance of social and economic organisation – such as Copyshop,[4] Guaraná Power, Rebranding Denmark andFree Beer – Superflex has become involved in legal disputes, as well as suffered prohibition orders and police raids, relating to their artistic use of commercial signs and symbols. However, finding that the restrictions placed on their work sometimes led to unexpectedly interesting results, Superflex began to explore the productive potential of prohibition and conceived a series of projects structured to impose regulations on others.
Superflex has gained international recognition for their projects. They have had solo exhibitions, among others, at theKunsthalle Basel inSwitzerland (Supershow — more than a show), GFZK inLeipzig,Germany (Social Pudding in collaboration withRirkrit Tiravanija),Schirn Kunsthalle inFrankfurt am Main (Open market), theREDCAT Gallery inLos Angeles (Guarana Power), Mori Museum inTokyo, Gallery 1301PE in Los Angeles and theHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Superflex has participated in international arts biennials such as theGwangju biennial inKorea,Istanbul Biennial, São Paulo Biennial,Shanghai Biennial and in the "Utopia Station" exhibition at theVenice Biennale. They contributed to the exhibition Rethink Kakotopia shown at the Nikolaj Centre of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen 2009 and atTensta Konsthall 2010.
An urban park project inCopenhagen is divided into three main areas: the red square, the black market and the green park. While the red square designates the modern, urban life with café, music and sports, the black market is the classic square with fountain and benches. The green park is a park for picnics, sports and walking the dog. The people living in the vicinity of the park are of more than 50 nationalities. Instead of using the designated city objects/furnitures used for parks and public spaces, people from the area were asked to nominate city objects such as benches, bins, trees, playgrounds, manhole covers and signage from other countries. These objects were chosen from a country of the inhabitant’s national origin or from somewhere else encountered through traveling. The objects were produced in a 1:1 copy or bought and transported to the site.
Five groups traveled to Palestine, Spain, Thailand, Texas and Jamaica in order to acquire five objects. The objects have been installed throughout the park. The park has more than 100 objects from than 50 countries. Commissioned by the City ofCopenhagen andRealdania, the concept for Superkilen was developed by Superflex in collaboration with architectural firmsBjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Topotek1.
Power Toilets is a permanent public art work erected on a beach in the recreation area Park van Luna inHeerhugowaard, TheNetherlands. The interior of the lavatory building is a copy of the toilets used by the members of theUnited Nations Security Council in theUN headquarters inNew York City, identical in detail to that of the sanitary facilities at one of the most secure buildings in the world. Typical for the 1950s corporate style the design includes marble, big mirrors, stainless steel, yellow ceramic tiles, grey anthracite mosaic floor tiles and American Standard appliances.
Power Toilets was designed in collaboration with Nezu Aymo architects. Originally commissioned by DRFTWD office associates for the municipality of Heerhugowaard in 2004, it was accomplished in 2010 with support from the province of Noord-Holland and SKOR, Foundation Art and Public Space. Contractors: Bouwbedrijf Gerrits and Sinnige b.v. and Sculpfiction.
Superflex' works are represented in public art institutions such as:
They have been commissioned to produce the 2017 Hyundai Turbine Hall installation at theTate Modern gallery in London, opening 3 October.
