In the 1930s, gas and water master Theis Thiesen’s self-built house exemplified the unique architectural tradition in Hvidovre, where low resource consumption and self-reliance went hand in hand. Over time, an entire neighbourhood of houses like Thiesen’s emerged. His modest 35-square-metre building featured a colourful facade made from recycled materials and surprising handmade details. Although originally intended as a temporary structure, the house became a lasting source of inspiration for many future generations.
In the 1980s, young hip-hop enthusiasts discovered the unique self-built houses, whose colourful facades and unorthodox designs reminded them of New York’s vibrant cityscape. Thiesen’s house and other self-built structures naturally became gathering points for the emerging hip-hop culture. The old barter networks from the self-build era were revitalised, now centred on the exchange of breakdance moves, rap lyrics, and graffiti designs.
Where Thiesen, as a plumber, had once traded services with other craftsmen, young people now exchanged artistic skills. The creative use of recycled materials in the self-built houses inspired a distinctive Hvidovre style in both graffiti and music. Today, these houses symbolise the unique do-it-yourself culture that links the self-builders of the 1930s with the hip-hop pioneers of the 1980s, fostering individuality, community, and sustainability.
“Hvidovre Makes Good Times Better” An exhibition by Kristoffer Ørum at Hvidovre Central Library 16 January - 28 February 2025 Opening Hours: Monday: 10:00-19:00 Tuesday-Friday: 10:00-18:00 Saturday-Sunday: 10:00-16:00 Venue: Hvidovre Central Library, Hvidovrevej 280, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark A2 prints available for 50 EUR each at oerum.tpopsite.com This counterfactual art project merges AI-generated imagery with human-written narratives to explore an alternative history of Hvidovre. Through this reimagining, the exhibition examines how the cultural intersection of local DIY hip-hop culture and labour movements might have shaped this Danish suburb differently. Supported by: Danish Arts Foundation, Hvidovre Municipality Discretionary Fund, and Hvidovre Libraries Acknowledgements: Svend Vibe Dahlgren, Trine Friedrichsen, Majken Hansen, Dorte Bach, Henriette Laura Astrup, Rasmus Hurtig, Tania Ørum, Miriam Boolsen, Michael Boelt Fischer, and all hip-hop artists and labour movement participants in Hvidovre.
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