Blue Modified Social Bench

Out of investigating architecture, communication, and social behaviour in the urban space, a series of bench designs was born under the common title Modified Social Benches. The bench designs borrow their basic form from the ubiquitous park or garden bench, but are altered to various degrees to make the act of sitting a conscious physical endeavour. Between the metro station Kastrup and Den Blå Planet, placed at Kastrup Harbour, a series of individually shaped Blue Modified Social Benches are running along the path. In some places the bench sinks into the ground, gently ascending elsewhere, thus creating the impression of running underground. Each bench offers a place to sit and a back to lean at. But unlike usual benches, they consist of elongated, winding, rapidly rising or falling lines of seating with high arches, sharp bends or small loops. With their modification, the benches not only offer an opportunity to sit down and relax, but also promote conversation between users and viewers, visitors and locals, lending the work active characteristics and social qualities. At the same time, the bench has its own sculptural quality, thus inviting the viewer to look at it and be guided to the aquarium of Den Blå Planet.


Year: 2015 Materials: Powder-coated aluminium Dimensions: 13 benches, dimensions variable Permanent installation between metro station Kastrup and Den Blå Planet, Copenhagen/Kastrup, Denmark