Copenhagen Contemporary Reveals 2026 Program
The Copenhagen Contemporary art center has announced its exhibition program for 2026. The schedule points to a focus on collaborations and commissions that often intersect with design, fashion, and architecture. The announcement provides a forward look at the European contemporary art scene for creative professionals seeking cross-disciplinary inspiration.
- The 2026 program marks the 10th anniversary of Copenhagen Contemporary, which will kick off with a three-day performance festival headlined by Nadya Tolokonnikova, founder of the art and activist collective Pussy Riot. The institution has been led by director Marie Laurberg since August 2022, who previously held senior posts at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and ARKEN Museum of Modern Art. - A central commission for the year is a site-specific architectural installation by celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for designing the Japan National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This continues the center's focus on monumental works that utilize its 7,000 square meters of industrial exhibition space. - The schedule includes "Shapeshifters — Magic in Art & Fashion," an exhibition explicitly connecting the two creative fields. The show is part of a Nordic partnership with museums in Finland, Norway, and Sweden and is developed with curator Ane Lynge-Jorlén. - French artist Camille Henrot, who won the Silver Lion at the 2013 Venice Biennale, will have her largest solo presentation in Scandinavia. Her work often combines sculpture, video, and installation to explore anthropological and mythological themes. - The center has a history of showing artists who collaborate with luxury brands. It recently acquired a major work by light artist James Turrell, who has previously created installations for Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein and designed perfume bottles for Lalique. - The institution is building on a period of significant growth, having achieved record-breaking summer attendance numbers in 2025, surpassing the 130,000 visitors recorded for all of 2024.
