Henrik Vestergaard, Denmark

”I was born with a deep fascination for performance art and in the eighties, I found great joy in musicians and artists working in that field. Later, at university, I learned that 'performance' could refer to the name of a motorcycle, describe a politician's or athlete's achievement, and, of course, define an art form. Perhaps this is why I embraced the Finnish term "performance performance" and began to immerse myself in the realm of meta-performance art — exploring performance art that reflects on itself and its place in the world. I am captivated by the meta-narratives of performance art, examining how it both mirrors and critiques its own essence, all while engaging with the world around it—whether that be the achievements of athletes, politicians, or motorcycles.”

Henrik Vestergaard, alongside Ellen Friis, cofounded Live Art Denmark in 2004. Together, they have curated numerous festivals and events across Denmark, including notable ones such as Managing Discomfort, Hitparaden, and Samtalekøkkenet. Since 2014, their creative efforts have extended to producing live art events for intergenerational audiences. Among these are the annual festival Live Art for Kids and a compelling trilogy comprising 50 Dangerous Things, Kaboom, and Daily Life. Their work continues to enrich the cultural landscape with dynamic and inclusive live art experiences.