modellerne

Modellerne, meaning The Models, was a Danish interdisciplinary artist collective active in Copenhagen from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. The group united sculptors, photographers, designers, and performers to explore how form, space, and viewer participation create meaning. Their practice centered on modular units and portable displays that could be rearranged to generate new configurations without creating entirely new objects.

Origins and structure: Modellerne emerged from informal studio conversations near the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Membership was fluid and project-based, with artists rotating in and out according to shared interests. The collective prioritized collaboration over individual authorship and produced related works rather than a single, fixed oeuvre.

Practice and works: They staged installations in galleries and non-traditional venues, using lightweight materials and restrained color. Works acted as models or demonstrations inviting viewers to participate in reconfiguring the piece. They circulated notes and manifests and often collaborated with architects and urbanists to connect art with public space.

Reception and impact: Critics in Denmark recognized Modellerne for bridging sculpture, design, and performance. The group helped popularize participatory practices and the concept of art as a flexible system rather than a fixed object. Selected works entered public collections, and later exhibitions drew on the group's archives.

Legacy: The collective dissolved in the mid-1970s, but Modellerne is regarded as an early example of modular, participatory art in Denmark. Archival material and works are held by Danish cultural institutions, and the group's approach influenced subsequent artists exploring form, space, and audience involvement.