OPEN POST: An Artist's Shenanigans!

 

In 2021, Danish artist Jens Haaning pulled off a comical art stunt that left the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Denmark scratching their heads. Jens received 532,549 Danish kroner (about $70,000) to create an artwork featuring real cash, with the expectation that he would recreate two of his earlier works that visually depicted average salaries in Denmark and Austria using euros and kroner bills. However, Haaning had a different plan up his sleeve.

Instead of following the museum's vision, Jens submitted two blank canvases and claimed his actions were part of a broader performance art piece called Take the Money and Run. Oh yes, the old artist "fall back" claiming it was performance art. Sure, do it in your own show fool. How do you say idiot in Danish?

The museum, however, was not amused by Haaning's cheeky move and took the matter to court. A Danish court ruled that the artist must repay the cash to the museum for violating his contract. Jens' lawyer, Peter Schønning, said the artist is appealing the ruling. I can't imagine a world where he wins. It is a con, a grift, and though the concept is humorous, it isn't so funny to those who forked over the cash.

This tale of blank canvases, missing money, and a mischievous artist serves as a reminder that the art world is sometimes more sober than it seems. Haaning's stunt has undoubtedly sparked laughter and debate about the value and purpose of art, proving that sometimes, sometimes, a desperate artist does desperate things.

(photo:Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix via AP