“Psychological and physical destitutioncan be averted.”
This is the steadfast conviction upon which Freetown Christiania was founded 50 years ago. When the Danish military moved out of their city-centre barracks in 1971, this ‘intentional community’ of 1000 residents moved in, defined by self-sufficiency, ‘architecture without architects’, and its own set of community codes.
In recent years, however, Christiania’s hippie ideal has come under threat. Social problems associated with hard drug usage, combined with the decreasing tolerance of the authorities, combined with the increasing popularity of Christiania as a tourist hotspot, have created a perfect storm for the small community – simultaneously challenging and spotlighting the town’s divisive values.
Quite literally, the writing is on the wall. Historic murals connoting peace and utopia now sit alongside the sinister semiotics of defence. The sculptures carry symbols of power; the wall-painted creatures bare sharp teeth; the signs read ‘no photo!!’. This is the visual language of a community under siege.
