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Louisiana; The Best Modern Art Museum in the World?

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Why Louisiana, the museum of modern art in Copenhagen, should be at the top of your list of things to do in the city.

Louisiana; The Best Modern Art Museum in the World?

At times, walking around Louisiana, the museum of modern art in Copenhagen, is like walking around in the crazed concoction of a troubled and deluded artist.

No matter where you look twisted shapes seem to form in the shadows, sculptures appear to melt and mould into something new before your eyes, paintings give the impression that they’re still dripping wet, drying only after you walk past them and look back.

Yet in the calming setting on the shore of the Øresund Sound with cold blue water on one side and a small green forest on the other, the perception of Louisiana completely changes.

All of a sudden walking around this colourful and creative space is comforting, and moving from one exhibition to another is like going on your own magical journey.

Colours are brighter, sounds are sharper, all your senses are heightened. If Louis Carrol did art museums, it’d probably look a lot like this.

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Great hall at Louisiana, Copenhagen

Louisiana can be found in Humlebæk just 35kms north of Copenhagen, but once you get there it really does feel a lot further away, so much so you question whether you close to the capital at all.

Once you do arrive, the first thing that you see are a few sculptures seemingly scatted around with the ocean as a backdrop. With Louisiana being that close to the water you really couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting too.

By the water at Louisiana

Surprisingly, Louisiana first opened in 1958. I say surprisingly because in a city like Copenhagen where architecture and design is at the forefront of everything the museum still doesn’t look out of place today.

With over 3,000 works at the museum, there really is something for everyone here too, no matter your age.

The first section of Louisiana takes you through a modern interpretation of cubism before you come across a huge room with floor-to-ceiling windows that reveals the forest and the lake outside. The best thing about this place is you can even go outside for a little stroll around the lake.

Also outside hidden amongst the trees is a huge slide (you see, I told you there was something for everyone!) I’m not quite sure what the significance of the slide was, but like the rest of the museum it can’t fail to put a smile on your face.

Wooden pyramid, Louisiana

There were a few sculptures and exhibitions that I really liked at Louisiana. Near to the cafe was this giant wooden pyramid where everybody was lazing about, and climbing to the top is well worth it just the for views alone.

Another exhibition I absolutely loved was by the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. She loves using psychedelic colours which repeat and form a pattern, and at Louisiana her space is in a mirrored box with hundreds of bright lights inside which go on forever and ever and ever.

Standing in the middle, I couldn’t help thinking I was just a tiny star in a galaxy full of stars around me. It really was an amazing use of space.

Yayoi Kusama’s exhibition, Louisiana, Copenhagen

Today at Louisiana there are a number of unique galleries and collections, but it’s more than just a museum too. While walking around I saw couples on dates, groups outside sharing a picnic, families eating in the restaurant, all enjoying this space without thinking they were in a traditional “museum”.

It’s at this point that I should probably be more honest – I’m not the biggest fan of art and I doubt I could tell the difference between a Matisse and a Monet – yet I loved Louisiana, and that’s exactly my point. Louisiana has this rare ability to be a museum to some people and something else to others.

For me, I loved going on my own personal magical journey. This was my rabbit hole.

Photos of Louisiana Art Museum

Tickets to Louisiana costs 145DKK (£17, $21) or are free with the Copenhagen Card (which also gives you access to loads of other museums and attractions in the city).

Have you been to Louisiana in Copenhagen? If so, what did you think of it? Were there any sculptures or exhibitions that really resonated with you? Let us know in the comment box below!

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About the Author

  • Macca Sherifi

    Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

Winston Otillio

Thursday 26th of January 2023

Why is it called Louisiana? Doesn't look like the art & name match!

Macca Sherifi

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

I know, it's a bit of a weird name! The art is incredible though, it's such a beautiful modern art museum.

Lucy

Thursday 19th of January 2023

Where is this place???

Macca Sherifi

Monday 23rd of January 2023

Louisiana, a modern art museum just outside Copenhagen in Denmark!

Jana

Sunday 31st of January 2021

Loved your points about Louisiana museum. I went to Copenhagen and Louisiana in 2018 and walked away with the same feeling - loved the museum and would put it on a "must" list for everyone.

Macca Sherifi

Tuesday 2nd of March 2021

Yay! I'm so glad you think the same Jana! It really is such an amazing museum - fingers crossed it can bounce back again after the pandemic!