Street Artist Hopare for ‘Out in the Open’ 10-year Anniversary, Aalborg 2023

Posted by Donna on 7th July, 2023
Filed under: From the Street

The city of Aalborg, in Denmark, has become an open-air art gallery thanks to the long-running ‘Out in the Open’ mural project, curated by Kirk Gallery. This year they are celebrating its 10-year anniversary!

Murals from Wes21 & Onur, Guido Van Helten, Conor Harrington, Faith 47, Sepe & Tone, Bezt, Herakut, David Walker, Seth, Vhils, Telmo Miel, Oliver Vernon, Fintan Magee, Joram Roukes and Nils Westergard are just a few of the artists that have contributed to Aalborg’s open-air Museum over the decade and this year expect to see nine new murals!

The first mural to be introduced this year to ‘Out in the Open’ was by Argentine Martin Ron and his Australian assistant Matt Gorick with ‘Olivia and her Heart of Gold’ to life. Read more here. At the same time, artist Cristian Blanzer began painting his mural ‘Contraluz’ on the Rooftop of Friis Shopping Centre in Aalborg. Read more here.

Next, we see French artist Hopare finish his mural ‘Trine’ in downtown Aalborg. Before his arrival, Hopare researched traditional clothing and the Danish Golden Age, which covers a period of exceptional creative production and artists in Denmark, especially during the first half of the 19th century. Hopare painted Trine from his interpretation of one of the masters of the golden age of Danish painting, “Ludvig August Smith”, who often used the model Catrine Nielsen hired in 1839.

In the artist’s own words …

“Deep in thought, “Trine” stands wistfully or dignified before us?

The delicacy of the features of her face contrasts singularly with the robust musculature of her bust.

The action is almost frozen. What is ultimately the subject of the wall?

The assembly of the long locks of hair or the pensive look of the model?

The interior of a room or the interiority of being?

The visible or the invisible?

Here is my interpretation of one of the masterpieces of the golden age of Danish painting, “Ludvig August Smith”.

Singular synthesis of neoclassicism and romanticism, remains a mystery.”
Hopare

Check out the mural of Trine below in all of her beauty …