In a cheeky artistic statement that stunned a Danish museum, a Copenhagen court ordered an artist to repay over $76,000 after submitting two blank canvases instead of the anticipated artworks titled ‘Take the Money and Run.’ This act sparked a legal battle that raised questions about contemporary art’s boundaries and artists’ obligations.
Danish Artist Submits Blank Canvases to Museum
Jens Haaning, the Danish artist behind the controversial move, submitted two blank canvases to the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg.
Legal Battle Erupts Over Blank Artwork
The incident sparked a nearly two-year legal battle, and now a Danish court has ruled that he must reimburse the museum for the substantial sum of 500,000 Danish kroner (approximately $76,500).
Jens Haaning’s Previous Artworks
The two blank canvases at the center of this artistic and legal saga were meant to be reinterpretations of Haaning’s earlier works, “An Average Austrian Annual Income” (2007) and “An Average Danish Annual Income” (2010).
These artworks were a commentary on the salaries of the average Austrian and Danish workers and contained banknotes totaling their respective yearly incomes.
The Commissioned Recreations for “Work It Out” Exhibition
The museum had commissioned Haaning to recreate these thought-provoking artworks as part of its “Work It Out” exhibition, which encouraged visitors to think about their career aspirations.
The plan was for these new pieces to hold a total of 534,000 kroner in cash for the 2021 exhibition.
The Museum’s Loan
Unlike his previous works, Haaning was offered a loan by the museum to cover the entire amount needed for the project.
Surprise Unveiling of “Take the Money and Run”
However, when the museum unveiled the artworks, they were shocked to see a blank canvas that bore the collective title, “Take the Money and Run.”
Haaning explained that this new creation aimed to shed light on the issue of underpayment in the workforce, encouraging checkout staff to symbolically take from the cash register and make a run for it.
Haaning’s Refusal to Return the Money
While his contract stated that he must return the money to the museum after the exhibition, Haaning was clear from the outset that he had no intention of complying.
In his own words, “The work is that I have taken their money.”
Dispute Over the Artist’s Entitlement
Museum director Lasse Andersson asserted that Haaning wasn’t entitled to keep the funds, as the agreement specified only a 10,000 kroner artist fee and 6,000 kroner for expenses.
“We are not a wealthy museum,” Andersson emphasized. “We have to think carefully about how we spend our funds, and we don’t spend more than we can afford.”
Haaning’s Argument for Benefits and Publicity
Haaning argued that the museum had reaped significant benefits from the two-year publicity generated by the piece.
Indeed, Kunsten Museum recognizes the piece on its website as a critique of art world mechanisms and societal structures.
Copenhagen Court Rules in Favor of the Museum
While Lasse Andersson admitted to finding humor in the submission, the legal battle reached a conclusion, with the Copenhagen court siding with the museum.
Artist Now Faces Substantial Debt
Despite deductions for Haaning’s fees and costs, the artist now faces a substantial debt.
Haaning’s Reflection on the Situation
Haaning reflected on the situation, stating, “It has been good for my work, but it also puts me in an unmanageable situation where I don’t really know what to do.”
The saga of artists challenging established norms within the art world is far from unique.
Banksy’s “Love Is in the Bin”
Banksy’s infamous 2018 artwork, “Love Is in the Bin,” serves as another striking example.
Originally titled “Girl With Balloon,” the artwork self-destructed through its own frame immediately after being sold at auction for £1 million (approximately $1.2 million) at London’s Sotheby’s.
Shredded Artwork and Its Auction Success
Despite its altered form, the shredded artwork made a return to auction, fetching a huge £16 million.
Complex Relationship Between Artists and Museums
This incident, like Haaning’s brave move, showcases the complex relationship between artists and museums in the ever-evolving world of contemporary art.
Walmart Employee Terminated After 16 Years As She Exposed Dark Side of Retail Online
Platforms like TikTok have become a popular outlet for users to share behind-the-scenes revelations about various industries, shedding light on their harsh realities. From Domino’s delivery drivers exposing their meager tips to Instacart shoppers calling out fraudulent refund attempts, these revelations can have unintended consequences when higher-ups take notice. Walmart Employee Terminated After 16 Years As She Exposed Dark Side of Retail Online
Die Quickly, Quietly and CHEAPLY: Doctors Expose Dark Truths About Profit-Driven US Healthcare System
A doctor’s video exposing the profit-driven motives of health insurance companies and their alleged disregard for patient well-being goes viral, sparking discussions about the need for healthcare system reform. Die Quickly, Quietly and CHEAPLY: Doctors Expose Dark Truths About Profit-Driven US Healthcare System
Passenger Called Out “Emotional Support Dog” Seated Next to Her Genuine Service Dog on Flight
Remember that time when people were trying to pass off all sorts of creatures as emotional support animals to bring them on airplanes? From peacocks to tortoises, goats to monkeys, and even turkeys, it seemed like anything could be labeled as “emotional support” to justify its presence. Passenger Called Out “Emotional Support Dog” Seated Next to Her Genuine Service Dog on Flighasdt
“It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
Confronted by an entitled customer, this quick-thinking cashier makes sure he has a change in attitude. She complies with his requests and without breaking a rule ensures their transaction is anything but convenient. “It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
“Not Silenced” – Huge Protests After Judge Orders Newspaper to Destroy Electronic Data Going Against the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press
In a recent decision, a judge has ruled that Kansas authorities must delete all electronic copies of a small newspaper’s files that were made during a police raid on its office and has people questioning the police department’s understanding of the First Amendment. “Not Silenced” – Huge Protests After Judge Orders Newspaper to Destroy Electronic Data Going Against the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press
The post Blanker Than Banksy – Artist Ordered To Repay Museum After Submitting $77,000 Blank Canvases – Legal Battle Unfolds! first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / zhu difeng. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.