Christiania

Glimpse of what you will be greeted with in Christiania.  Graffiti after graffiti. Excellent pieces of self-protraits and hidden voices amongst the residents of Christiania. This is the first piece of art that caught my attention when I touched my foot in this much-talked about “village”.  And of ourse, before i could venture further, the first artistic sight was captured within click seconds.

That’s me and my colleague, Pat striking a pose. Wonder if that qualifies us as part of the grafiti? Hope not. Too real to be considered a permanent fixture in the name of art, unlike the mermaid casted in stone.  As much as I am captivated by the freedom this village has to offer, I do prefer to be in a “smoke-free” environment. Christiania is pretty much a liberal town in Copenhagen where residents operated on their own rules and regulations – out of the control of the local Government. Very often, you can see people “smoking” or indulging in their own definition of being high in a very different way. That, I prefer not to be part of.  However, it’s their pratice towards creativeness that earned my thumbs-up!

I could never imagine finding this piece of sculpture in Singapore.  Chiselled out of a tree trunk! Impressive, isn’t it? It does look like it has a hidden message, signalling the lost of control/grasp driven at their Government? Or is my imagination running wild? Either way, it’s too good an art to pass.

Yet another piece of installation art? This, ahem…targeting the lovers in Christiania? Love swans, what more do I need to say? Love is evidently in the air with a free mind.

Next, me, yours truly. An embellishment to the already perfect wood carving. Ideal moment for that click on the camera? Coins, please…thank you…on that note, it is interesting to know that Chrsitiania do have its own currency! … … That, just blew my mind! Their own currency for that town of 1,000 residents? Where’s the relevance or the standard of which to place a value to its currency?

This coin, 1.5 times the size of a Singapore $1 coin  is worth about SGD$20! I think. (can’t really remember). Hard to imagine as much as how I have to remember a 20 dkrone (coin) is equivalent to SGD7! This Christiania currency, if you so wish to remember Christiania by, can be bought from the local pubs as a souvenir – it was given to me free by one of the locals!

Other than its own currency that can only be used in Christiania, they produce their own Christiania Beer too! Again, I wonder, where is the economies of scale for the raw materials, equipments, and, a brewery perhaps, all for that community of 1,000 residents?  I find my brain generating questions faster than I could handle in that short span of 3 hrs covering this mysterious town of Christiania.

Draught beer or

bottled? Your choice.  Beer aside, their zest in recycling is nothing less than commandable.

Can you spot a gigantic spider constructed out of what seemed to be metal junks?

Or a steel-made lady figurine

Or, a vintage-looking flower cart? You can also do your part in the green movement by particpating in their “Put and Take” recycling booth where you can simply exchange your unwanted apparrals with something that catches you fancy.

Hear that alluring baby blue jacket calling you? I’m afraid for that, you have to buy yourself a air-ticket to Copenhagen or to gear yourselves for the cycling expedition to where the treasure lies.

But if you are thinking so, do join them in their games of water-polo, created out of basketball net for that ultra local immersion program.

… … and don’t miss that entertainment while at the pub with a see-through aquarium after a dip in the pool. Oh, Wait. It’s the toilet in a pub. They beat Disney hands down on this, entertainment planned right through to when your body is calling for a break. For those who otherwise prefer to entertain than to be entertained, you can opt for the public toilets planted along the garden with picture-taking opportunity.

However, while you are busy clicking away, do be sensitive to a “No camera” logo and abide in their rules of “NO PHOTO” (meaning no photography) allowed in some sensitive areas lest you risk being bitten by their well-trained ”police-chasers” dogs as clearly illustrated on the rubbish truck.

But, if you abide to their own-made rules and open yourself to their warmth and hospitality, you are in for some real culture exchange like joining in their sing-along session and some photographs taken to remember the trip with!

That’s Pat and me again after our sing-along session with this talented chap. This guy is really good with his guitar! while hmm..this another guy…

cool hair-style!

And me? After the arts-filled excursion, I have decided to try my skill on self portrait photography!!!!!! A form of art too, no? I’m sure it is. Wait till I bring you through the exciting photography arts in Copenhagen! **wink**wink**

View these 2 wonderful short video clips found in you-tube for a better idea on what Christiania is all about.

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