A Danish artist has been ordered to repay a museum after delivering blank canvases
The funds were intended for the creation of contemporary art. While they were used for that purpose, it wasn’t in the manner the Danish museum anticipated when they handed an artist $84,000. Instead, they got two blank canvases.
Jens Haaning, the artist, claims the empty canvases represent a fresh artwork named “Take the Money and Run.” He views it as a critique on inadequate salaries. He emphasizes it’s not stealing.
“It’s a contract violation, and that violation is a part of the artwork,” he mentioned, as reported by Danish broadcaster DR.
“The art is in the act of taking their money,” expressed Haaning.
The Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg isn’t convinced by his justification. However, they’ve showcased the canvases in their exhibition, Work It Out, which delves into the human connection with labor. The artist’s surprising contribution sparked amusement and inquiries.
The Kunsten had given Haaning funds to recreate a past artwork by framing the money. Previously, he had used two canvases to depict the income disparity between Denmark and Austria. Preparing for their recent exhibition, the museum received two crates from Haaning. To their astonishment, inside were two vacant canvases.
Kunsten’s CEO, Lasse Andersson, found humor in the situation, as he shared with NPR. He recalled their suspicion when Haaning revealed his new artwork titled “Take the Money and Run.”
The unexpected delivery stirred discussions at the museum. Andersson noted that while the original piece transformed money into art, the new one emphasizes the monetary aspect of work. It also reignites discussions on the valuation of an artist’s creation.