AALBORG IS THE FUTURE is a public art project that presents an alternative perspective on Aalborg’s history by Kristoffer Ørum and features a special musical performance by Christian Høgh.
By combining elements from the early history of the labor movement with the local hip-hop culture of the 1990’s, AALBORG IS THE FUTURE explores an untapped potential where creativity, community, and enjoyment are central. The project utilizes factual history, fiction, and AI-generated images, thereby attempting to connect hip-hop’s pursuit of individual freedom alongside the early labor movement’s collective struggle for better conditions. Grounded in Aalborg’s history, the project maps different places that have been significant for both the local and national labor movement and hip-hop subculture in the city, and features a map and a website* of 16 selected locations in the city, which have been reinterpreted using AI and will be launched through a performative walking tour, a community meal, and a concert.
*The map can be collected free of charge at various locations across Aalborg, including Huset i Hasserisgade, Aalborg Public Library (Folkestuen), The Aalborg State Archive, 1000fryd, Nordkraft (Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted), and Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg.
All project images have been created using the diffusion models Flux.1 from Black Forest Labs or Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large from Stability AI, on a second-hand computer powered by green energy with origin certificates from solar farms, wind turbines, and hydropower plants in the Nordic countries. The physical maps are printed by KLS Pureprint on 250g Pureprint uncoated paper, which is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified. The website is hosted at European Hetzner, which operates using 100% hydropower electricity.
Access AALBORG IS THE FUTURE digital map here
A special thank you to Baghuset, Huset i Hasserisgade, Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, Rikke Ehlers Nilsson, Christian Høgh, Niels Fabæk, DJ Krushem, Morten Andersen, Bente Jensen, 1000Fryd, Tania Ørum, and all those who have contributed to the hip-hop subculture and the labor movement in Aalborg over the years.
By combining elements from the early history of the labor movement with the local hip-hop culture of the 1990’s, AALBORG IS THE FUTURE explores an untapped potential where creativity, community, and enjoyment are central. The project utilizes factual history, fiction, and AI-generated images, thereby attempting to connect hip-hop’s pursuit of individual freedom alongside the early labor movement’s collective struggle for better conditions. Grounded in Aalborg’s history, the project maps different places that have been significant for both the local and national labor movement and hip-hop subculture in the city, and features a map and a website* of 16 selected locations in the city, which have been reinterpreted using AI and will be launched through a performative walking tour, a community meal, and a concert.
*The map can be collected free of charge at various locations across Aalborg, including Huset i Hasserisgade, Aalborg Public Library (Folkestuen), The Aalborg State Archive, 1000fryd, Nordkraft (Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted), and Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg.
All project images have been created using the diffusion models Flux.1 from Black Forest Labs or Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large from Stability AI, on a second-hand computer powered by green energy with origin certificates from solar farms, wind turbines, and hydropower plants in the Nordic countries. The physical maps are printed by KLS Pureprint on 250g Pureprint uncoated paper, which is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified. The website is hosted at European Hetzner, which operates using 100% hydropower electricity.
Access AALBORG IS THE FUTURE digital map here
A special thank you to Baghuset, Huset i Hasserisgade, Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, Rikke Ehlers Nilsson, Christian Høgh, Niels Fabæk, DJ Krushem, Morten Andersen, Bente Jensen, 1000Fryd, Tania Ørum, and all those who have contributed to the hip-hop subculture and the labor movement in Aalborg over the years.
Saturday, December 7th:
Performance, Community Meal & Concert from 2:00 - 8:30 pm
Starting Point: Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg (Lobby), Kong Christians Alle 50, 9000 Aalborg
Ending Point: Nordkraft (Baghuset), Kjellerups Torv 5, 9000 Aalborg
Program
2:00 pm Performative City Walk by Kristoffer Ørum
4:30 pm Refreshments & Community Meal at Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted
7:30 pm Concert with Christian Høgh (Baghuset, doors open at 7pm)
Note that the event is free of admission and anyone can attend, no sign up is necessary. The event will be primarily in English (with some Danish). The performative city walk takes place outdoors and is a rain or shine event - please dress warmly. There will be warm drinks and indoor breaks as part of the walk.
Performance, Community Meal & Concert from 2:00 - 8:30 pm
Starting Point: Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg (Lobby), Kong Christians Alle 50, 9000 Aalborg
Ending Point: Nordkraft (Baghuset), Kjellerups Torv 5, 9000 Aalborg
Program
2:00 pm Performative City Walk by Kristoffer Ørum
4:30 pm Refreshments & Community Meal at Nordjyllands Kunstnerværksted
7:30 pm Concert with Christian Høgh (Baghuset, doors open at 7pm)
Note that the event is free of admission and anyone can attend, no sign up is necessary. The event will be primarily in English (with some Danish). The performative city walk takes place outdoors and is a rain or shine event - please dress warmly. There will be warm drinks and indoor breaks as part of the walk.
Kristoffer Ørum is an interdisciplinary artist with a background in the European hip-hop subculture of the 1990s. He holds a degree in visual arts from Goldsmith, University of London and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He runs the platform Captive Portal and has previously served as a professor at The Funen Art Academy and as an artistic researcher at Uncertain Archives at the University of Copenhagen. His practice revolves around the digital spheres and how they influence everyday life, and he thrives at the intersection of institutional art and grassroots art. Since 2005, he has published, performed, exhibited, taught, and organized a wide range of events around the world. "Freedom, Equality, and Hip-Hop" has been exhibited at Kongegaarden, Sydhavn Station, Friisland, and the Survival Kit Biennale in Riga, Latvia. Throughout 2025, the project will move to locations including Hvidovre, Warsaw, Malmö, Boston, Vancouver, Lexington, and Aarhus.