It’s not your typical advent calendar but that’s the whole idea … as some of the world’s best street artists are hoping to give residents some gifts of the non-traditional kind.
Since the first of this month, the ‘street artists’ advent calendar’ has been sending both young and old on daily treasure hunts to discover a new piece of art at a secret location. The clue to the location of the piece is posted on the StreetHeart website each morning where you open an interactive door. You then embark on a wild goose chase to find the artwork, take a picture of it, and then send it in to see if Santa will knock on your virtual door with gifts.
This is the third year the artists are bringing Christmas to the streets. StreetHeart co-owner Christina Bennetzen says the aim is about “getting people to remember to play more in the city”. She wants to counteract the usual ‘shop until you drop’ attitude that results in December ending up as a stressful month for most. “We want to do something for people that isn’t about purchasing … the emphasis is on appreciating the little surprises in everyday life that the artists create.”
The little surprises have so far included a piece from artist Haervaerk. Working from recycled materials, he proves the things we throw away can live again. His piece this year was door number one and beautified the dark tunnel under Langebro in Amager.
Door number two was a long wooden pink and red spoon by artist Bert. He’s best known for using discarded pieces of wood found on construction sites and returning them to their original spot after finishing his creation on them.
So if you’re bored of opening paper doors to find chocolate Santas, go and open the doors to some of the best street art this city has to offer.
