11 meter højt SOLHJUL i Give

SUN WHEEL

»Sun Wheel« (»Solhjul«) is an 11 m tall wheel in the roundabout at Hjortsballe (12 m if you count the foundation).

It can be seen by passers-by on the motorway between Herning and Vejle. The wheel is slightly inclined towards the center - 7 degrees, and thereby achieves a dynamic effect like it is turning/spinning around. Inspired by the old oak wheels and Fibonacci, a "flower-like field of floating glass plates" has been constructed in the center of the wheel in a grid construction of stainless steel.

The grid construction that supports the glass has taken its inspiration from the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. »Sun Wheel« was created by artist Bo Karberg in collaboration with local companies.

Wheel with 5000 years of history

»Sun Wheel« takes its artistic and conceptual starting point from Europe's two oldest preserved disc wheels, which was found in a marsh near Give. The two wheels can be dated almost 5000 years back in time to 2775 BC and 2935 BC respectively.

The wheels were used in ancient times for transport, and the wheel has throughout the ages been a symbol of both technological, economic and spiritual development.

A vision for three sculptures

After much positive response to the sculptures in Give, Skulpturby Give took the initiative in 2009 for three new sculptures. With a central location when approaching Give, the sculptures will give passers-by an experience and inspire new thoughts.

The sculptures and their location at the approach roads make passers-by curious, and encourage them to stop in Give, just as the sculptures will help put the town of Give and Vejle Municipality on the cultural map.

The approx. 5000-year-old disc wheels found close to Give – have inspired the board of Skulpturby Give for a common theme for the three sculptures. With the choice of artist Bo Karberg, we have gained a competent partner for the large works in the special setting.

With the three large sculptures, Skulpturby Give has undertaken a major task - both in terms of work and finances. We imagine that parts of the work process as well as the delivery of materials can take place locally - the town of Give and Vejle Municipality - whereby citizens, businesses and the municipality gain co-ownership of the project. We imagine that the project is three-part – one sculpture at a time – not least for financial reasons. The costs for the three sculptures will probably add up to DKK 5-7 million kroner - an amount which means that work must be done with EU funds, Region Syd, Vejle Municipality, various other funds and private sponsors.

»Sun Wheel« is the first of these projects.

The sculpture was inaugurated on 12 May 2015.

Bo Karberg

Far away on the Stevns peninsula—along the final stretch of small roads before the woods and the beach—lies Gjorslev Sawmill. And right in the heart of the sawmill grounds is an impressive workshop: Bo Karberg’s studio.

There is no mistaking the place; the area is adorned with imaginative sculptures made of glass, metal, stone, and water, guiding the way to this energetic and highly inventive artist.

Bo Karberg is one of the few artists in Denmark who has repeatedly participated in international symposia dedicated to land art or "ecological art."

Nature is Bo Karberg’s preferred setting; he thinks and works in a site-specific manner, where space and artwork become one. He has created, installed, and exhibited works in France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Korea, and Estonia. His artistic expression is graceful and strives for simplicity. At times, he draws inspiration from prehistoric or archaic art to create thoroughly contemporary works and installations. Modern technology and methods come into play, and the audience is often invited to become an interactive part of the artwork.

Watch the start of the project