From December 2020 to May 2021, the 8-metre tall and 15-metre long artwork ‘Work No. 2630 UNDERSTANDING’ by the world-famous British artist Martin Creed (b. 1968) has lighted up the winter darkness in central Copenhagen as an artistic gesture to the public spirit we all showed in that period. The rotating work, that previously has been raised in Brooklyn, New York, with Manhattan’s skyline as a backdrop, was originally intended to be installed at the cancelled Roskilde Festival no. 50 last summer.

‘Work No. 2630 UNDERSTANDING’ was installed by Roskilde Festival as a new temporary landmark at Ofelia Plads in central Copenhagen, with the Royal Danish Playhouse to one side and the Opera House to the other, and called for hope and understanding in a time that was difficult for many. 

The installation is an interpretation of the iconic phrase peace, love and understanding, and the piece highlights the latter word because – according to the artist – it contains all three messages in one. All along the harbour of Copenhagen, the piece could be experienced as beacon of hope and dreams in a society where mutual understanding is a driving force.

Thursday the 20th of May, Martin Creed performed at Ofelia Plads as part of the minifestival “Time to Activate, Time to Listen, Time to Space Out and Time to Celebrate” created by Roskilde Festival and Det Kongelige Teater.

Martin Creed is a British artist who lives and works in London. For more than 30 years, Martin Creed has created and won international acclaim for his playful and thought-provoking art. He graduated from the acclaimed Slade School of Art at University College London in 1990, and in 2001 he won the prestigious Turner Prize with ‘Work No. 227: The lights going on and off’. His work includes films, installations, paintings, theatre and live-action sculptures, and often relies on the interaction of the viewer, shaping surprising mediations on human existence and the invisible structures of everyday life.

‘Work No. 2630 UNDERSTANDING’ was raised by Roskilde Festival in collaboration with Creator Projects, New Carlsberg Foundation, The Augustinus Foundation, The Royal Danish Theatre and Jeudan with further support from Hauser & Wirth.