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The story
History, context and influences
Arken (Danish for ‘the Ark’), was created and publicised in 1996, featuring an amassed assemble of international works.
The museum re-opened in January 2008 after major refurbishing, which included an expansion providing an additional 50% of gallery-space.
Conception
In the 20th century, there was a global growth of contemporary art museums. Collectively, this influenced a rise and a prominent increase in cultural institutions to showcase both local and international art. It has played a major role in the development and collection of contemporary art.
In 1988, an architectural competition for the creation of a new contemporary art museum in southwest of Copenhagen was held. A design put forward by Søren Robert Lund won first-prize. The name, Arken, was also chosen from the competition. The initial idea was for Arken to be located on the beach as a characteristic maritime architectural form to reflect its Danish title. However, due to conservation concerns, the museum was built further back.
Svend Jakobsen was chairman of the museum between 1997 and 2007.
21st Century
Arken underwent two major renovation and expansion projects, designed by original architect Søren Robert Lund alongside C.F. Møller Architects. The museum encompassed permanent collections and donations of works from 2005-2008 by Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn, Mona Hatoum, Jeppe Hein, Jeff Koons, and Elmgreen & Dragset.
The museum also published the Arken Bulletin, a discussion for academics regarding artistic theory and museology.
Each year, Arken awards the ARKENs kunstpris prize– 100,000 Danish kroner– to a contemporary artist.
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Extension 1: 2008-2009
The Museum reopened its doors publicly on 5 September 2009, following a renovation executed by Arken's original architect Søren Robert Lund and design partner, C. F. Møller Architect. The refurbishment consisted of 3 sections: a new sculpture gallery and main entrance by Søren Robert Lund, and education and experience workshop areas designed by Anna Maria Indrio of CF Møller Architects.
This extension significantly expanded Arken's new exhibit room to 1,600 square metres (17,000 sq ft), and a total area of 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft). The museum removed load-bearing walls or columns in all individual rooms, with the new exhibition hall structured as four white quadrants. Air conditioning structures were recessed into walls and security equipment was placed in floor boxed beneath steel plates, as C.F. Møller aimed to retain Arken's "existing facade’s rhythm and proportions."
The ceilings were lowered, and a new white box design was introduced. The annex's designer was Anna Maria Indrio, from C. F. Møller. The Annie and Otto Johs. Detlefs Foundation lent financial support to the new 1,100 square metres (12,000 sq ft) extension, both donating approximately $10 million. The Detlefs Hall was designed for displaying sculptural works. An additional extension of educational workshop rooms was incorporated and refurbished across the north side of the building. The redesigned entrance leads to a 600 square metres (6,500 sq ft) large room, functioning as the core of the museum, and being a central point for all rooms and amenities.
From Wikipedia’s article on Arken Museum of Modern Art, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5