In September, Medrar.TV organized an arts documentation workshop with Kopenhagen Channel to feature a selection of Danish and Arab artists working in Denmark. We start the series with a profile of Danish artist Kenneth Balfelt, who has been implementing projects in public spaces around the world for over a decade. His work is unique in its participatory and inclusive approach.
In this video, for instance we focus on one of his latest projects at Folkets Park (meaning ‘People’s Park’). Balfelt has managed to collaborate with a group of architects to make the park once again a hospitable space to the local community. The park is located in a neighborhood with limited public recreational facilities; it has also been a gathering place for local gangs according to Balfelt, making it less inviting to local families. Still, initial plans by the municipality to turn it into a residential complex were met with resistance. The municipality then commissioned Balfelt to renovate the park, and based on numerous interviews he conducted with members of the local community he was able to come up with a plan. In this interview, Balfelt explains his work process, the negotiations he had to undertake with various stakeholders and the rewarding results of his efforts.
Amira El Masry translated the interview into Arabic.
This video was produced by Medrar.TV in partnership with Kopenhagen Channel during an arts documentation workshop, organized by Medrar.TV in Copenhagen in September 2014, and with the support of International Media Support (IMS) and the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU).
This video was produced by Medrar TV and is featured in partnership with Jadaliyya Culture]