Dukkespil (Automaton Clock), Odeon-skilt (Odeon sign), Lysornament (Light ornament)
Odeon, Odense 2017

Pictured above (top to left to right):
Lysornament (Light ornament), 2017
15 x 11.000 cm
Light bulbs, aluminum

Odeon-skilt (Odeon sign), 2017
160 x 940 cm
Aluminum, steel, LED backlit acrylic letters

Dukkespil (Automaton Clock), 2017
150 x 300 x 300 cm
Aluminum, electromechanical drive, 24 carat gold leaf, enamel paint, phosphorescent pigment, steel, glass, plastic. The automatons perform their show every day at 12:00 and 18:00



The automaton clock comprises five automata, each referring to one of the art forms that can be experienced at Odeon. The dancer represents dance, the ghost sends greetings from the realm of poetry, Hamlet stands for theatre, the robot comes from the world of cinema, while the troubadour brings the music.

The idea behind the work is to add a tactile, popular and rustically humorous element to the façade of Odeon. It is inspired by the automaton clocks that can be found on numerous churches and city halls in Central Europe. The designs of the automata borrow traits from Dada to Bauhaus to Manga and Chinese plastic toys. The objective is to create a show that everyone can see twice a day, all year round, without having to buy a ticket.

The automata are cast in aluminium at the bronze foundry in Svendborg. The mechanical drive is built by Anders Bo Nielsen and the sounds are composed by the artist Goodiepal.

Odeon is originally a term used for ancient Greek and Roman buildings that were used for music performances, singing, and poetry contests. The Odeon sign on the façade is a slightly modified version of the Futura font. This font is charac - terised by its almost perfectly circular Oʼs, a shape reminiscent of the arenas of classical odeon structures.

On the façade, to the right of the automaton clock, are three LED displays that also employ a modified Futura font. The displays act as posters that announce upcoming events in and around Odeon.

On the roof of Odeon, 400 light bulbs have been installed along the upper ridge of the wall. This light ornament accentuates the buildingʼs function as a meeting place for people, culture and art.

The artworks are commissioned by Odense Billedkunstråd (Odense Art Council) in connection with the construction of Odeon in 2017.



Photo/video: Jonas Michael Frederiksen