Sleep BEK 1094
series of public walks
Photo: Rikke Ehlers Nilsson

The project "SØVN under BEK 1094" (2021) is a set of ten embroidered duvet covers and five pillow covers created in collaboration with employees and guests at two shelters in Aalborg Parasollen and Tamatta. The project highlights the social and personal consequences of the recent legislation criminalising homelessness (executive order no. 1094 of 29/06/2020) through the embroidered statements and fragments from conversations about sleep, legislation and homelessness that citizens with homeless experience have contributed to the work during the pop-up studios at the shelters.  In tandem with this legislation which affords the Danish authorities greater powers to sanction people who sleep or stay together in public spaces,  "dark design", such as benches with armrests in the middle or narrow and sloping benches that repel the body are on the rise.

During Rodløs Festival a series of city walks exploring dark design, care and sleep in public space was hosted with guest speakers from workers in the homeless community.

The project was kindly supported by Blå Kors, Parasollen and Det Grønlandske Hus.