Close to us all
Mental health is in the spotlight. As many of us are aware, a growing number of people will experience a mental illness requiring treatment at some point in their lives. The museum is occupying Sankt Hans with Non Performing to face this complex issue affecting us all. The artworks range from representations of personal encounters with psychiatry to broader social perspectives on the theme.

Wandering through Sankt Hans
The exhibition winds around beautiful buildings in a recreational landscape, introducing artworks along the way – from the Garden of Sct. Hans to the Central Storehouse (Centralmagasinet), the Sanatorium (Kurhuset) designed by Gottlieb Biindesbøll and the palatial one-time patient’s residence Villa d’Este. The art is embedded in the historic buildings. Johanna Hedva’s scream echoes in the boiler room, while Sidsel Ana Welden Gajardo’s Let Me Help You Sleep Paralysis invites visitors on a guided sleep meditation in the former dispensary.

The exhibiting artists are Johanna Hedva, Carolyn Lazard, Line Finderup Jensen, Cassie Augusta Jørgensen, Sidsel Ana Welden Gajardo and Louise Vind Nielsen, along with Copenhagen Free University and the Trampoline House. Each puts their own unique take on mental illness, with some exploring more general aspects like care and recreation. Based in the Villa d’Este, the Trampoline House, in collaboration with a group of refugees, has created an entire separate program for the exhibition.

Questioning is a driving force
The museum is teaming up with Nadja Pass, a social designer and co-founder of the concept Conversation Salons, who has designed a series of conversation cards for visitors to bring along on the tour. The questions on the cards open up a discussion about mental health from a personal perspective and in general. Is there a grey area between illness and well-being?

Non Performing is organized in partnership with the Garden of Sct. Hans, Roskilde Municipality and Roskilde Libraries.

The exhibition is supported by the Obel Family Foundation and the Danish Arts Foundation.

In Non Performing you are invited to wander within and beyond the recreational grounds, featuring conversation starters, sound installations and artworks engaging sensuously with psychiatry, illness and the experience of falling outside the norm.

Practical Information

Opening Hours Thursday – Friday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Address (exhibition starting point) Bistrup Allé 36, Roskilde. Meeting point: by the red M.

FREE ENTRANCE. Just show up within the opening hours whenever it suits you. No appointment or registration is needed to view the exhibition.

Non Performing takes the form of an exhibition route that winds through the area in and around the former psychiatric hospital, Sankt Hans. The works are distributed across four different locations. The route is 1.5 km long, so remember comfortable footwear.

The exhibition starts in Sct. Hans Garden, where you will receive a brochure with information about Non Performing and a map to help you find your way. If you are in doubt about anything, just ask our hosts, who are ready to answer questions at each location.

During the weekend, you can enjoy food and drinks in Sct. Hans Garden in connection with your visit to the Non Performing exhibition. See more here.

Language: There are works in both Danish and English in the exhibition. The exhibition brochure is available in both Danish and English.

Locations: Sct. Hans Garden, Centralmagasinet, Kurhuset, and Villa d’Este.

Transportation From Roskilde Station

Bus: 207 towards Osted. (Bus stop in front of Føtex.) Get off at Vesthospitalet/Kurhuset.

Bicycle Search for Sct. Hans Garden – Bistrup Allé 36, 4000 Roskilde in Google Maps.

Car Free parking. Look for the crosses on the map here.