My Inner Beast is a series of one-ton heavy black concrete sculptures, created by the Danish sculptor Jens Galschiøt. In November 1993, twenty sculptures were erected in twenty cities across Europe without permission from the authorities.. Aidoh.dk. Official information about where the statues were erected A press release by the sculptor stated:I will, over a two day period, erect 20 solid black/brown sculptures over 2 meters in height, executed in reinforced concrete. The figure is called "My Inner Beast" and will be erected around Europe's bigger cities during a two day happening. Each sculpture will be put in places that are national or local symbols of freedom, justice and democracy in each city. The purpose is to put focus on the increasing intolerance and brutalization in Europe. This is seen in the growing racism, xenophobia and the persecution of minority groups. I wish to point out that we all have a personal responsibility for these tendencies with ourselves and our fellow human beings.
Erecting In November 1993, the twenty one-ton heavy black concrete sculptures were erected in twenty cities across Europe within 55 hours, without the knowledge of the authorities. The sculptures created debate in political circles,Berlingske Tidende, Jyllandsposten, Aalborg Stiftstidende, Jydske Vestkysten, Fyens Stiftstidende, Det Fri Aktuelt, 8. Nov. 1993 - 17. Nov. 1993 in the press and in the public. In several cities the authorities decided to retain the sculptures permanently.
Locations
Zurichhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=111 My Inner Beast erected in Zurich nov. 1993 Stockholmhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=110 My Inner Beast erected in Stockholm nov. 1993 Parishttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=109 My Inner Beast erected in Paris nov. 1993 Oslohttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=108 My Inner Beast erected in Oslo nov. 1993 Odensehttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=107 My Inner Beast erected in Odense nov. 1993 Munichhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=106 My Inner Beast erected in Munich nov. 1993 Milanhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=105 My Inner Beast erected in Milan nov. 1993 Marseilleshttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=104 My Inner Beast erected in Marseilles nov. 1993 Lyonhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=103 My Inner Beast erected in Lyon nov. 1993 Innsbruckhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=101 My Inner Beast erected in Innsbruck nov. 1993 Herninghttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=153 My Inner Beast erected in Herning nov. 1993 Genevahttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=99 My Inner Beast erected in Geneva nov. 1993 Copenhagenhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=102 My Inner Beast erected in Copenhagen nov. 1993 Brusselshttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=98 My Inner Beast erected in Brussels nov. 1993 Bonnhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=97 My Inner Beast erected in Bonn nov. 1993 Berlinhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=96 My Inner Beast erected in Berlin nov. 1993 Barcelonahttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=95 My Inner Beast erected in Barcelona nov. 1993 Antwerphttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=114 My Inner Beast erected in Antwerp nov. 1993 Amsterdamhttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=94 My Inner Beast erected in Amsterdam nov. 1993 Aarhushttp://www.aidoh.dk/?categoryID=112 My Inner Beast erected in Aarhus nov. 1993
10 years after
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary Jens Galschiot and his staff initiated a search to find out what has happened to each of the 20 sculptures.. official reports and conclusion for each statue
The fate of the Beasts varies quite a lot. In some cities the statue has been hidden away or even destroyed. All three sculptures set up in France have disappeared.
In other cities the Beast has found a prominent site. In Bonn it has even been incorporated in the German state's art collection. The anniversary was celebrated during the European Social Forum 12–15 November 2003 in Paris where two Beasts participated in the big manifestation accompanied by Survival of the Fattest and 14 Hunger Boys..http://www.tidsskriftcentret.dk by Jørgen Lund & Bjarne A. Frandsen 3. nov. 2003
See also Jens Galschiot Danish sculpture Survival of the Fattest The Color Orange Pillar of Shame Fundamentalism
References