Danish Trademarks

The Danish National Bird

Swans Feeding at Oscar Davidsens

This week we have had some interesting and unusual interactions with two of Denmark’s best know trademarks.  One was a fairytale and the other was not.  Yes, we came face to face with Ugly Ducklings and Torvaldsen’s Kristus and The Apostles. 

For some time now we have been noticing swans sitting on their nests.  This week while walking through the Frederiksberg Park we actually saw the little guys in a line behind their mother.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the park was alive with ducks, doves, geese, cranes, kids, parents and swans.  It was such a classic picture; Hans Christian Andersen could just as well have been with us on the park bench.

Digitizing The Apostles 

A week ago Friday, two young Americans came to the temple.  As we got better acquainted with them they said they were working with Niels Valentiner (an old architect acquaintance of ours from when we were here in Denmark before).  Niels is the Church’s architect for the Rome Temple.  These two men have been hired by the Church to digitally model the Torvaldsen marble statues of Christ and the Twelve Apostles, to be used in some way with the Rome Temple (probably as part of the Visitor’s Center).  The reproduction of the Kristus, which the Church has been using as a trademark for many years, was not digitally modeled and as a result is not completely accurate. 

Without Reflective Dots

At church on Sunday Norma and I were invited to come to the “Vor Frue Kirke” and see how they were documenting the statues.  So Monday afternoon we received the “Cook’s Tour”.  Each statue had over a thousand reflective dots applied at key locations in order for the cameras to record the accurate contours.  The digital mapping gives a 3D model on the computer screen and will allow a 3D modeling machine to rout out the statues to such a fine detail that it will allow a sculptor to easily finish the product to an accurate completion.  I photographed the statues they were working on both using my flash to show the reflective dots and without the flash to show the statue it’s self.

Flash Captures the Reflective Dots

In appreciation for being allowed to digitally model the art pieces, the church is providing a copy of the work to the State Church for their records and use as might be necessary.  The young men said they were made to feel very welcome as they did the work and were allowed a key to the church and free run of the facilities.  Because of church services at various times of the day, it was necessary to do much of their work in the middle of the night.

To me it seems very appropriate that these statues should find a home in Rome where many of the Apostles worked in spreading the Gospel.

Transferring Data

That’s all for now.

3D Modeling

Love Mom and Dad

Elder and Sister Larsen