The Danish Wave

The Centre is proud to sponsor The Danish Wave.  This exhibition, to be opened at the Jam Factory, Adelaide, in May 1999 looks at the following question:

Why is cultural exchange interesting between two nations that differ so significantly in terms of history, culture, traditions, size, geography and climate - and even situated, literally, at opposite ends of the world?

Because all these diversities create the basis for renewal and challenge our well established views and ideas.  Throughout Danish history, the meeting with foreign cultures has been a prime source of inspiration and renewal.  This is especially true of  both Danish design and architecture, which has always developed through dialogue with the surrounding world.

In all modesty we believe we have given back a little in return - with Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House as an obvious example - of the value of cultural exchange.  Beside its outstanding aesthetic and architectural qualities it has invited Danes (and the whole world for that matter) to turn their eyes towards Australia and perhaps also helped Australians become aware of that mall Northern European nation called Denmark.

The aim of cultural exchange is not to export or sell Danish culture, but to create a qualifying dialogue with foreign cultures for the sake of cultural enrichment and renewal in both cultures.

We have not come to display the splendours of Danish design and architecture but rather to give our contribution to a cultural dialogue, which we hope will aid and strengthen the cultural links and networks between two countries which in many ways have different cultural values and tradition.