ARKEN is a great and monumental building situated in the artificial landscape, Køge Bay Beach, a short drive or train ride south of Copenhagen. The museum has one of Scandinavia's finest collections of contemporary art, and its maritime-inspired architecture has won recognition at home and abroad since it opened in 1996.
ARKEN's collection
ARKEN's collection contains more than 400 works from Danish, Nordic and international contemporary artists, primarily from the period after 1990. The museum houses, among other things one of Europe's most important collections of the British artist Damian Hirst, tapestries by Grayson Perry and a masterpiece in sculpture by Ai WeiWei.
The museum also has a permanent exhibition of the work Læsø by Asger Jorn, nine works by the German artist Anselm Reyle, recognised as one of contemporary art's most important innovators of abstract art.
You can expect changing exhibitions in the main exhibition spaces, plus a large permanent gallery showing Hirst's work.
ARKEN's architecture
The museum building is an attraction in itself. Designed by architect Søren Robert Lund, it portrays a stranded ship a few metres from the beach. The museum café hangs like a lifeboat on the side of the building and through the large panoramic windows overlooks Køge Bay.
The museum is located in scenic surroundings between Ishøj Harbour and the long sandy beach, so a visit to the museum is not complete without a walk along the dunes and beach.
ARKEN's museum shop
The museum shop is the area's leading design shop with an inspiring mix of Nordic design, art books and gift items. They include items from Danish brands such as HAY, plus ARKEN designed bags and lithographs.
