Jeppe Hein

Often amusing and surprising, Hein's works challenge the conventional notion of the artwork as a precious and fragile object for reflection. Instead of passive contemplation, they require playful active participation, and occasional risk taking, prompting one to question and re-examine items and situations previously taken for granted. Hein's experiments with social situations allow for subversive activity and perhaps show the public's willingness to misbehave.

Hein's work has been exhibited widely nationally and internationally. Recent solo shows are 360°, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, 2010; 1 x Museum, 10 x Rooms, 11 x Works, Neues Museum Nürnberg, 2010; Distance, The Curve, Barbican Art Centre, London, 2007. He is part of numerous public and private collections such as Neues Museum ARoS Kunstmuseum Aarhus, Arken Museum of Modern Art, Arken; Tate, London, and MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Hein's benches have had a prior association with Finland as they were included in Kiasma's exhibition, Fluid Street: Alone, Together (2008), when they were installed throughout Helsinki and temporarily became a recognised part of the public sphere.