The Little Mermaid Substitute

Denmark presented itself with a stunning pavilion at this year’s EXPO, which stems from the architectural studio BIG, a bona fide factory of creativity, which we have written about here. Thus we had mentioned the fact that for the sake of a true-to-life presentation of their country at this important manifestation, the Danes dispatched the Little Mermaid, the statue from the Copenhagen harbor and the Danish capital’s most famous motif. To prevent the city’s most photographed vista from gaping empty during the EXPO, the creative minds of Denmark and China launched their idea of a “substitute” art installation. At that location, the Chinese artist Aei Weiwei set up a large LCD screen on which a picture of the Danish pavilion in Shanghai is being streamed in real-time, faithfully depicting the new temporary home of Copenhagen’s recognizable icon. Hence, Copenhagen’s visitors and residents alike can at any given moment check to see whether the Little Mermaid from Andersen’s fairytale is safe and sound, at the same time witnessing the many visitors and general popularity of the Danish pavilion.

For more on the project and video display with direct streaming from the Danish pavilion click here, and more on the Chinese artist Aei Weiwei and the rest of his works here.