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KVIT IS A GALLERY AND ARTIST WORKSPACE, ALSO LOCATED ON BLÅGÅRDSGADE. FOUNDED BY ARTISTS INGJERD HEGGEM NERGAARD AND ASTRI STYRKESTAD HAUKAAS, KVIT IS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE DUO’S AMBITION TO SHOWCASE DANISH AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS.
If the words “local art gallery” conjure up nightmarish images of icy glares to match the ice-cold champagne, don’t worry: Kvit is pretty much the antithesis of any of the usual art-world pretensions. Its programming is always diverse and a bit wacky, featuring plenty of local artists who create art, music, films and anything else that might be a welcome addition to the whirlwind of colourful work that defines this small space.
“Part of what makes our gallery differ from other galleries in Copenhagen is that we do not limit ourselves by focusing on making money,” say Nergaard and Haukaas. “We refer to the gallery as non-profit, and this allows us to do whatever we want, and to display art that is not necessarily ‘sellable’ or something that you hang on your wall.” Events include exhibitions with pastel-coloured rivers of fabric lazily draping off the ceiling; magazine launches for local art publications; and straight-up dance parties, with no emphasis on “art” to be found. And let’s be real: the art world still suffers from a gender bias and the tired old myth of the genius male creator lives on – but not at Kvit. Here you’ll find a well-balanced programme that represents both genders equally, and often leans towards the female-first side. “We have a clear vision around the diversity in our shows, and we feel it’s imperative that we try to be a part of balancing the imbalance that is so obvious in the art world,” the founders explain. “Choosing female artists is definitely a conscious thing, but it also happens naturally. We’ve never compared two artists and said, ‘We have to choose the woman even if the man’s work is more interesting.’ Women are just freakin’ brilliant artists.”
Kvit hosts events and exhibition openings often, so pop by to meet some locals, listen to early Nico records and drink wine. If you want thought-provoking visual stimulation, this is the place to go.
