It's a wrap

I wasn’t going to cover up the statue of the Young People Sitting, this time. They are in the epicenter of the biggest outdoor gathering on New Year's Eve at midnight, with bonfires and the occasional graffiti, mostly on the bridge itself (ugh!), but sometimes the statues are vandalized too. As the day progressed, I had second thoughts, and stopped by my friends on the bridge corner, to say hello. And I knew I had to act. But what to do? These guys are bigger than you think, wrapping them takes a certain quantity of... something.

Meanwhile, across the street on the other bridge corner, someone forgot to clean up after themselves, leaving behind a shitty, collapsed pavilion. I have been passing this garbage for the past week, cursing the offenders. Ugh. Or. Wait a minute....

(post-peeling, obviously, haha)

Tarpaulin.... cover... bingo! I peeled it off, and dragged it across the street, and within minutes, my friends were covered up, to the degree of being invisible.

Young People Sitting, Ninja Edition.

If you only knew how happy I feel right now. This is definitely better than nothing. I’ll stop by and tie it up later. Fingers crossed that it works.

Not covering up my friends? What was I thinking? 

Happy new year to you all. See you in 2015.

Link fest:

Can you believe this sh*t?

How it all began, New Years Eve 2012

Wrapping it up for Distortion 2012

New Years Eve 2014

★

Hugs and hats

This year’s jule greeting is courtesy of the Nile decorator. Is it one person, or more? Either way, if you are decorating the Nile, you are the Nile decorator to me. It has been a while since the kids were pimped, I am happy to se this particular tradition kept alive (here's a look at the elf version 2012, compare this to our current ten plus degrees, whoa).

 

The tradition of adding little things to our statues, like flowers and costumes are a token of love and appreciation. Classic Copenhagen.

 

Happy holidays and big jule hugs for everyone.

♥

The night before jul

Something is different this time: jul is no longer painful. I think we have finally made friends. Clue number one was a couple of weeks ago, when I salvaged a tiny potted Christmas tree that someone had thrown out. Then, I went out and bought it a tiny elf, to keep it company. They are sitting in my kitchen window, reminding me how far we have come. 

Actually, it is hard to believe it is even the 23rd of December today. The temperatures are more like fall, and some trees even still have leaves, nature must be so frustrated. It would be cosy with snow, but I am relieved that they are not salting everything to death. It's one less thing to worry about.

Up on the bridge corner, the Christmas tree seller is back in business, stacking them so close that you almost get the feeling of being in a small forest.

Magic.

Even cut off, trees have a calming effect, working as a buffer from traffic and stress.

The cosiest part of this season is not how they decorate the shopping streets, but the little non-profit surprises popping up here and there. Like this initiative by the prison fence, encouraging you to leave a greeting for the inmates. 

Merry Christmas.

Or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, pleading with maniac drivers to slow down.

Watch out for our Rudolph.

As I took these pictures, a woman in an SUV came racing around the corner, bumping into a pedestrian. He smacked his hands on the hood and let out a loud yell, but fortunately he was alright (a child might not have been, though). Proving the urgent need for this sign.

I found one more cosy greeting from the streets, but I am saving it for tomorrow. For now, rest your eyes on my new friends, the tiny rescued jule tree and the armless elf.

We have come a long way.

♥
 

Silent Sunday, view from the Round Tower

 

♥

 

Merry wheel

A couple of weeks ago, our mayor made a proud update to his social media accounts, of the selection and felling of a beautiful old fir, from the forest. We are talking eight tonnes worth of magnificent tree, cut off to decorate a square for a month. Heartbreaking. I know that I am peeing on the parade here, and it is not my intention to hurt anyone’s feelings, but can’t we try and figure out a less destructive way to celebrate this season?

It turns out, we can. In Enghaveparken on Vesterbro a new Jule tradition is born: The people of Flydende By (Floating City) built the coolest Juletree out of salvaged bike wheels. They call it a Hjuletræ (a wheel tree), which in Danish is pronounced almost the same as jul (Christmas). In their own words they hope to inspire Vesterbro to appreciate the value of recycling and creating sustainable and beautiful environments together.

It lights up too, if you push the pedals on the attached bikes. I should have brought the staff, dammit. 

Imagine this all lit up, oh. 

Discarded spray cans are used for lights. I had a playground mom help me out here, to give you an idea of the magic:

The only parts not recycled on this tree, are the LED-lights. Utter coolness.

The bike parts are donated by Buddha Bikes, who collect, recycle and restore abandoned bikes found in the city. The pedal powered Christmas tree is around until December 29th, after which it will be taken apart, and the pieces used for other projects. 



Maybe I will have to round up a few friends, and have them work the pedals, for the perfect shoot? Any volunteers?

Links:

Flydende By / Floating City

Buddha Bikes

♥