Play, participation and relational aesthetics are central concepts in ARKEN’s research-based online publication on Palle Nielsen’s reinterpretation of The Model at ARKEN in 2014. This pioneering artwork – a gigantic playground for children – was installed for the first time at Moderna Museet in Stockholm in 1968. In connection with its reappearance at ARKEN, The Model 1968/2014 became part of ARKEN’s collection and is documented in this publication.

What can you read about?

Three new texts approach The Model from the perspective of the curator, the art historian and the play researcher. What kind of participation occurs in The Model today? How has the idea of utopia changed since 1968? And what are the sensuous forces of play unleashed by The Model that generate its creative and formative potential as a playground? The publication also includes an interview with Palle Nielsen, as well as several of his own previously unpublished and reprinted texts. Finally, the publication includes the first comprehensive biography of the artist.

The online publication documents The Model as an exhibition with a wealth of pictures taken by professional and amateur photographers, as well as from the social media.

The exhibition and online publication have been generously supported by Nordea-fonden.

Download the publication here