12 May 2005
Major Public artwork in Dundee
'Our Surroundings'
14 May - 17 July 2005
DCA is delighted to announce the temporary installation of a major public artwork by renowned
Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
Eliasson returns to Dundee, site of his first ever exhibition in the UK in 1999, with an impressive
sculptural waterfall. On view for the duration of the exhibition 'Our Surroundings' (14 May - 17
July), Eliasson's 'Waterfall' is characteristic of his fusion of nature and technology, and his
on-going investigation of how we think about and respond to our environment. It is presented in
collaboration with the University of Dundee.
Sited in a small garden with mature trees between some of the University's diverse buildings, the
large sculpture is effectively tucked in between nature and architecture. The growing appreciation
of the value of our natural environment is the wider context for this remarkable work, an abstract,
seemingly chaotic structure through which water is pumped to dramatic effect.
An imposing natural phenomenon, waterfalls are inextricably linked with romantic visions of the
sublime, associations brought into question by Eliasson's industrialised version. Made of
scaffolding, stainless steel, plastic and Eliasson's typically straightforward technology,
'Waterfall' uses the immediate backdrop of innovation and experimentation within the University,
while drawing our attention to a little-known pocket of nature.
Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967, Copenhagen; lives in Berlin) has become one of the best-known and most
sought-after artists in the world after the massive success, critical acclaim and enormous appeal
of his installation, 'The Weather Project' in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall in 2003. He first showed
in the UK at DCA in 1999. In the past five years he has exhibited world-wide, with solo exhibitions
at the Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, ICA, Boston, among others
and a project at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He represented Denmark at the 50th Venice
Biennale in 2003.
'Our Surroundings' project supported by: Scottish Arts Council National Lottery, The Henry Moore
Foundation, City of Discovery Campaign, The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Mondriaan Foundation,
Danish Arts Council Committee for International Visual Art.
With thanks to: Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, University of Dundee, Dundee City Council Leisure &
Arts, Forth Ports Plc.
See the waterfall live on our webcam http://stream.dundee.ac.uk/fountain
NOTES
Olafur Eliasson's project is part of the ambitious exhibition 'Our Surroundings', 14 May - 17 July
2005.
The exhibition takes place within DCA's galleries and in other locations in the city. DCA will
house newly commissioned works by Jordan Baseman, Mark Dion, Bridget Smith and Matt Stokes, with
works by Olafur Eliasson, Susan Philipsz and Apolonija SuSterSic situated externally.
Rooted in and related to contemporary Dundee, works by seven artists from Britain and abroad have
been commissioned specially for the exhibition. With a variety of approaches to location, 'Our
Surroundings' prompts a fresh, at times surprising view, and offers diverse experiences of some
intriguing aspects of our context.
A full and varied programme of events runs throughout 'Our Surroundings', including a range of
talks, a series of organ recitals and a symposium during Architecture Week (20 - 24 June). For
full details, please see www.dca.org.uk and the exhibition
leaflet.
Olafur Eliasson's publication 'your position surrounded and your surroundings positioned' is
available from Dundee Contemporary Arts, price £9.95.
Dundee Contemporary Arts is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, Dundee City Council and the
European Regional Development Fund.
Further details from:
Alison Rodgers
DCA Press Office
Tel: 01382 909 232,
Email: alison.rodgers@dca.org.uk
DCA Gallery Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm
Sunday 12pm - 5.30pm
Late opening Thursday until 8.30pm
Closed Mondays except Dundee Public Holidays
Entry to the Galleries is free.
DCA Public Information and bookings 01382 909 900
By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk | 
