Ballast, a photo from Sonderjylland, West

Photographer's Note

This is not the Arc de Triomphe after a nuclear attack!
The firing sculpture Ballast was created by the Danish artist Jřrgen Hansen. Art in Denmark is often found in the open air, with sculptures gracing the majority of Danish cities and beautifying streets, parks and even beaches. Ballast was executed in August 2007 at the museum Cathrinesminde Brickworks at Flensborg Fjord at Brogaer in Southern Jutland, where a big brick- and tile industry had existed since the beginning of the 19th century. At that time Denmark had colonies in the West Indies and the sailing ships crossing the Atlantic often used bricks as ballast. The 3m high sculpture was made out of 8 ton of 3 different colored clays looking like a pile of bricks that were forgotten, tilting towards the water.
It is Jřrgen Hansens desire to integrate the physical presence of the transformation process and the fire itself as a visible element of his work. Up to now he has built 14 different firing sculptures. The climax is when the sculpture, wrapped in insulation, becomes its own kiln and fires to 1100-1200 centigrade. At this stage the insulation is taken away and for short intense moments the sculpture is glowing with celestial beauty.
Jřrgen Hansen has not only built firing sculptures in Denmark, his art can also be found in Perugia, Italy in front of the Accademia di Belle Arti Pietro Vannucci, on the former death zone near Checkpoint Charlie in the centre of Berlin and at the Academy of the Arts at Launceston, Tasmania.

Gerrit, carper, gracious, JCG, holmertz, ricochet, phwall, kloppenborg, Vasa, saxo042, fulvio52, dta, patdeph, papagolf21, gunbud, Royaldevon, feather, JanP, ktanska, COSTANTINO, shevchenko, macondo, ciakgiak, alftrek, Bluejeans, mafegan, bakes888, skippy007, maloutim, Angshu, LamCam, westcoastgirl1, germanus, ikeharel, danos oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

jurek1951 (42198) 2009-02-19 8:32

Hi Harriet,
Nice picture, wonderful composition with great colors and details.
Well done
Georg

Greg1949 (9011) 2009-02-19 8:37

Harriet, very interesting and while I might have passed on the photo the shot in combination with the note is a perfect entry for TE. You have fine detail and color in the frame and can see all that is described in the words, fine presentation.

Greg

baba_flies (8829) 2009-02-19 8:40

Hallo Harriet! Interessantes Ding, hm, ob mir das gefaellt, ich weiss nicht, aber irgendwie hat es doch etwas an sich, wenn auch na ja, irgendwie halt :))) Was den Leuten so alles in den Sinn kommt, immer wieder erstaunlich, vielleicht sollte man mehr Mut zum Ding haben, aber ich denke mich wuerde niemand entdecken, dazu fehlt mir der entsprechend Look. GRINS. Aber ich schaue mir immer wieder sehr gerne anderes an. Nun ja, Du hast es geschafft, ich schreibe und versuche! Lustiger Einstiegssatz ... und das wiederum macht das Ganze aus, diese Details, die mich immer wieder auf TE halten. Liebe Gruesse, Barbara.

mauro61 (53411) 2009-02-19 8:53

ciao harriet,
infatti č un'opera che incuriosisce un po' a guardarla.
Brava a riportarla in un bel contesto con la neve e il mare vicino.
buona serata
maurizio

Gerrit (62042) 2009-02-19 9:55

Ha, Harriet what a funny artwork. Indeed like the builder of house got bankrupt at first sight.
The deformation of the stones in the top is quite interesting though.
Regards, Gerrit

carper (96) 2009-02-19 9:58

it's a special photo Harriet,
it's a well placed piece of art, good point of view and nice contrast, very good note and thank you Harriet for sharing, have a nice evening.
regard jaap

gracious (20025) 2009-02-19 11:12

Hello Harriet,
Very beautiful and unique type of firing sculpture, very nice on the colour and artistically done as if it's going to falls off!
the colour contrast is nice as well with the blue sky and sea!
thanks for the notes!
take care and warmest regards
Tony

JCG (35153) 2009-02-19 11:53

Hi Harriet,

This is not art that I like but we can not remain indifferent before a sculpture so original !!! A beautiful and bright picture, the contrasts are very clear and very pleasant color. An interesting photo and thank you for the note essential for reading the image.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

holmertz (101946) 2009-02-19 12:26

Hello Harriet,
A very interesting sculpture, highly original, and quite stunning in its location on the deserted beach. This is another reminder of that novel I mentioned recently.
Kindest regards,
Gert

ricochet (9716) 2009-02-19 12:35

Bonjour Harriet
Une composition plutôt originale du Danemark avec cette sculpture qui est permanente?
Je vois aussi qu'il a neigé dans le Nord ce qui ajoute une belle ambiance ŕ l'ensemble bien exécuté, bravo ŕ toi!
Vi ses!
Amicalement
Eric

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-02-19 14:03

Halo Harriet
Das ist also art .....ja auch was interesantes obwhol ich immer noch nicht das da verschtehe.Eine figure ist es schon sehr nah zu die "L'arc de Triompf"
Schones foto Harriet jedenfals
Bratislav

phwall (6787) 2009-02-19 14:06

Hi Harriet,
Hmmm, not what I'd call art but, one has to admire the effort that went into creating it.
Nicely captured, the framing works well, so strange to see a beach covered in snow.
Cheers
Peter

jmdias (114220) 2009-02-19 15:13

harriet

this sculpture would give us something to think about ruins of and old civilization lost in the cold beach. Beautiful pov and framing, light is perfect and the colors of the artwork produced a nice contrast with the blues and the ice. nice work, interesting subject. well done

hugs

jorge

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-02-19 19:46

Hi Harriet
A strange photo and sculpture, but the note explains all with a beautiful light and natural colours. Great play of shadow and light.
Regards
Jim

Longroute (19600) 2009-02-20 1:54

Undoubtely this is a photogenic subject with it's particular textures and colours and furthermore it contrasts very well with the snow and the sea/sky, resulting in a bright composition.
Had I not read your note I would have thought it be just a heap of bricks spoiled by time and weather: debris that pullute the beach! You can find a lot of such "sculptures" in our countryside! (:-
Best greetings,
Donato

Vasa (515) 2009-02-20 3:12

Dear Harriet,

lovely idea: yours and of the artist in Broager. Could be inspiration and creative motivation. All compliments dear friend! Since you hesitate between Denmark an Germany, it is time to come in Serbia, just to play a little for my team.

Friendly your

Branko

saxo042 (38078) 2009-02-20 5:21

Hi Harriet,
From the thumbprint I got the impression that this was some natural rock standing along the beach here. But looking closer a lot of interesting details are revealed. The brick colour against the blue sea is very attracive and in a very good harmony!
Kind regards
Gunnar

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-20 7:22

Hi, Harriet.
Original subject and a most informative complementary note, the two of them go hand in hand together. I wouldn't have thought of bricks being used as ballast on the way up when crossing the Atlantic. I knew of cobblestones being used as ballast on British ships, the same cobblestones being later used to pave the alleys of Charleston SC. and Savannah, GA. among the rest. Pretty interesting, thanks for sharing picture & info! Have a nice weekend, I'll see you soon.
Fulvio.

dta (98848) 2009-02-20 7:27

Hello Harriet ,
No doubt that it is an original sculpture . Very interesting , even this is not especially my cup of tea . Isn't it a little dangerous for the visitors ?
Best regards
Denis

patdeph (35750) 2009-02-20 8:22

hello Hrriet
reading your not,I have been very surprised that it is a sculpture,this kind of sculpture very diificult to understand for meEven the cords and the ples around it seem to fall in ruins!Anyway,the colours are beautiful,contrasting with the blue sky and water!Very interseting picture,and very strange!
Regards
Pascale

il_corsaro_nero (1373) 2009-02-20 10:25

Hi Harriet,
very interesting picture in itself, but more and more reading your note (that I also found on web) regarding Jorgen Hansen.
It is important, using a site like TE, divulgate the travel world also trough contemporary art. Art is describing what we do not immediately see, and give us the possibility to stop and think of human and universe meaning. We are use to take picture of old art evidence, rarely what it is done around us in the time we live..
Benedetto

papagolf21 (152605) 2009-02-20 11:25

Bonsoir, chčre Harriet,
Voilŕ une photographie digne de figurer sur TE. En effet, grâce ŕ cette prise de vue qui sort des sentiers battus, nous apprenons qu'il existe des artistes créant des sculptures pour le moins originales ! Je ne suis pas certain qu'une telle sculpture réalisée sur nos plages françaises soit accueillie avec bonheur !
Trčs bonne réalisation avec une note d'accompagnement excellente.
Amitiés.
Philippe

gilou530 (34) 2009-02-20 12:21

salut harriet
on pourrai croire que c'est une sculpture mais pas top c'est plutot kitch comme art, mais tu es arrivé a lui donner de l'ame, avec la neige la mer et une bonne lumiére
amitiés
gilbert

Disabled_A (0) 2009-02-20 14:51

Hello Harriet,
well well... this is something unusual! Thank you so much for such a detailed explanatory note! I would never think...
Good composition, and it's nice to see this unusual "object d'Arte" on a sunny day :)
Whenever I see something like that I always ask myself: what makes people create such sculptures... (I guess it's more a rhetoric question now)
I wish you a nice weekend!
Kind regards,
Elena

gunbud (34066) 2009-02-20 19:20

Hi Harriet,
Lovely capture of this unique Danish art that looks very vibrant against the lovely blue sky and sea.
The surrounding snow adds a nice bit of color contrast to this beauty.
Very interesting note about this lovely sculpture.
Regards, Tom

danyy (0) 2009-02-20 23:11

Bonjour Harriet,
Voici une photo trčs cocasse, sur une oeuvre d'art qui l'est encore davantage. Bien cadrée, en décentrage, les couleurs rouges jouent avec les bleus sous de trčs bonnes lumičres.
je te souhaite un excellent week-end.
Daniel.

Royaldevon (85606) 2009-02-21 3:28

Hello Harriet,

I was most interested to read your notes to find the origin of this sculpture.

It is interesting how we are beginning to see as things of beauty, features which we would previously have seen as derelict, or trash. It is the association which makes it initially attractive, and then you can begin to see its construction and textures.

You have captured this well and given it status by its position in the frame.
I do like how it appears to be bowing to the sea.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

feather (51130) 2009-02-21 7:43

Unusual outdoor sculpture in what seems to be an unusual place on the beach. Your note explains the concept perfectly. You have composed the image well showing two sides of the sculpture and off-setting it in the frame.
Kath

trekks (14348) 2009-02-21 8:25

hi Harriet

For a moment I thought this is a stack of firewood. A lovely capture of artist work at the edge of the water. Shot on a bright day of blue sky and very well composed.

tfs, bill

tfs, bill

Silvio1953 (220525) 2009-02-21 9:41

Ciao Harriet, beautiful composition with fantastic sculpture, splendid light and colors, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

JanP (1705) 2009-02-21 10:18

Hi Harriet.
You truly have these eyes for composition as well as suiting motifes.
This is perfect - tight and full of contrast.
In fact, I am amazed about your historical knowledge too.
Inspiring...
Nice weekend.
Jan

Buin (42580) 2009-02-21 10:43

Hallo Harriet!
Ich muss sagen, dass diese Kunst für mich arg gewöhnungsbedürftig ist - auch wenn ich mich jetzt als Banause outen sollte... ;-))
Auf jeden Fall ermöglicht sie ein interessantes und "eyecatching" Foto, das Dir wahrlich gelungen ist. Der Kontrast zur Umgebung könnte kaum größer sein.
Grüße aus - immer noch - einer Menge Schneematsch!
Frank

foozi (7101) 2009-02-21 22:43

Hi Harriet,
what a special shot of this sculture. Very unique and it differs from the normal one i have seen.
Great lighting you composed and the sea as the canvas is always captivating.
pleasant one.

regards,
Foozi

dumbo (4541) 2009-02-21 23:44

Hello Harriet,
Very interesting artwork. I like these colors and the texture of that sculpture. The background landscape is also pretty.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

Waylim (25436) 2009-02-22 11:29

Harriet,
Interesting work of art, true at first glance it look a bit funny, but I guess art is up to everyone interpretation. I like the detials of the art work against the snow covered ground and water background. Beautiful soft light. Good note, otherwise it would have not much meaning. Thanks
Way

ktanska (44446) 2009-02-23 3:09

Hi Harriet,
Before reading the note I wondered how's that possible. What could make brick ballast look like that. I mean bricks do not melt or bent they just break. Great imagination from the artist.
Excellent photo too. Sidelight works well showing both sun and shadow. And layer of snow gives nice highlights.
Kari

RedDevil (1217) 2009-02-23 4:19

Hi Harriet
Wonderful composition, perfect POV and colors.
Brava
Salvatore (Italy)

COSTANTINO (115477) 2009-02-23 12:47

Hello Kielia
thanks for your useful notes about this interesting sculpure creating by the Danish
artist..Marvellous..The presentation is
excellent
compliments from snowy Greece
the lightness is also very interesting
regards
Costantino

shevchenko (20560) 2009-02-23 20:48

Hi Harriet,
What a strange artwork, it just look like going to collapse, interesting composition and informative note, good pov to show a bit more surrounding environment, I like the blue river too, thanks for sharing.
Ally

macondo (20449) 2009-02-24 1:48

Hello Harriet.
I found the sculpture to be interesting in its own right, in your well taken photo. But I must confess that your note is one which is, this time, even more interesting than the photo. It certainly helps to make sense of the odd object in your photo. I wonder how many people come across this and think it is just a pile of junk. Thanks for this, it's quite intriguing.
Regards,
Andrew

ciakgiak (30) 2009-02-24 2:37

Hello Harriet,
I read the notes of this sculptor on web and I must say that his art is very interesting and unusual.
I understand that his works are created by composing with bricks and later burning the works, is that right?
Thanks for the great contribution you have given us all with your beautiful photos.
A great hug
Giorgio

alftrek (3270) 2009-02-24 14:01

Hello Harriet,
I like the colours in this close up composition - the changing colours of the sculpture itself which contrast well with the blue sky and sea. Well captured moment with excellent lighting at an angle to achieve the light and shade 3 dimensional effects on the sculpture.

TFS
Regards
Alfred

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-02-24 15:45

Ola Harriet,
Muito interessante esta obra de arte ao ar livre rodeada de neve , gostei dos detalhes dos tijolos empilhados com o buraco no meio , bom contraste de cores, boa profundidade de foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

mafegan (8626) 2009-02-26 10:14

Harriet,
In this case notes are certainly essential otherwise I too would have thought 'a pile of rubbish' in a beautiful location. I am wondering if the 'fencing' is part of the sculpture as it wouldn't hinder vandals. If I ever go to Tasmania I will have to check out his sculpture in Launceston - located I guess because of the Denmark/Tasmania connection. Thank you for showing something in this world which I wouldn't otherwise have ever seen. Very interesting, Marlene

batalay (41261) 2009-02-26 16:12

Hi Harriet,

Well composed shot of the unusual sculpture, "ballast." I have to confess, I don't really understand, but in art, it is said anything and everything goes. As I look at the other critiques, the expression, "very interesting," appears frequently. That is usually the observation visitors to a work of art express when they don't have the foggiest idea what the work is about. What I like here is the composition, colors, perspective, resolution, and your very fine note.

Warm regards, Harriet.

Buent

bakes888 (18499) 2009-02-27 13:05

Hi Harriet. Its always good to such works when out and about. Great photo. Nice contrasting colours and well balanced composition. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

skippy007 (12510) 2009-02-28 1:56

Hello Harriet, Some people call this art, I don't know if I'm ignorant but I can not understand or appreciate this type of "ART". As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The image is of good quality with natural looking colour & good detail.
Regards
Santo

clio (27961) 2009-02-28 3:10

Hi Harriet,
I like very much works of art outside, but put like this, in front of the sea and of the waves, it is rare and even more beautiful in this meeting with the strength of the water and the climate.
A place very interesting and well emphasized with these very beautiful colors.
Have a great WE
Diane

maloutim (13617) 2009-03-03 9:15

Hi Harriet!
My eyes were attracted to the miniature photo because of the composition and the nice vivid colours!
After opening it, I find this beautiful piece of art on the snowy sea-shore, looking out at sea, and I have learnt a lot about the sculpture and the sculptor!
Thanks for sharing!
Marie Louise.

Angshu (56760) 2009-03-07 21:11

Hello Harriet
This is a very interesting sculpture and the info. provided in your note makes it a perfect TE entry. The brick colours contrast with the blue sea & sky well. I've learnt something new again today, the best part of this site
Best Regards
Angshu

LamCam (3717) 2009-03-14 15:57

Hello Harriet,
I have said before how much I like brick as a building material - and here its warm colour is seen at its best against the blue sky and sea. I also approve, where it is possible, of sculpture being situated outdoors, where it can be viewed in varying light. This structure, to me, has the same fascination as a piece of weathered brick one might pick up when beachcombing - marvelling at how it got its shape. I find the gallery-style ropes and noticeboard far more bizarre than the sculpture in this situation.
Marvellous light and colour and a very helpful and interesting note.
TFS
Best wishes....Maggie

pablominto (53746) 2009-04-13 0:30

Hello Harriet,

So this is a piece of art..!
Personally I prefer the photograph to the sculpture, but I guess that is a matter of taste...
I'm not sure if the apparent decay is just that or a part of the work of the artist?
A good documentary photograph, well composed and with fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -
OK

westcoastgirl1 (666) 2009-10-17 1:49

Hello Harriet,

I couldn't help but check this out because I was so curious what this was. Excellent write up on an unusual piece of art work. It's not my cup of tea but it certaintly is wierd. Good POV and technicality.

Thanks,
Tosca

ikeharel (112397) 2010-05-17 2:29

At first glance I thought this was some ancient ruins, than when opened I had in mind that someone try to build a house and disappointed...
By reading your interesting note I understood what I had seen.
Wel taken pic.
Ike

danos (110407) 2015-04-27 13:00

Hello Harriet,
a really strange for my eyes art work 'Ballast' that for one more reason is so close to the sea.The snows that spread on the ground and so close to the firing sculpture creates avery interesting contrast.

Regards,Danos