PRESENTS FOR KAMMA - GAVER TIL KAMMA

The exhibition 'Presents for Kamma' consists of delicate, and detailed works in paper that in various ways engage in direct dialogue with Kamma Rahbek's life and work. Amanda Betz delves into Kamma Rahbek's impressive universe of flowers, boxes, and letters to create a connection to the woman who was once the focal point of Bakkehuset's life, and surrounded herself with great writers and scientists such as H.C. Andersen, H.C. Ørsted, and N.F.S. Grundtvig.

Kamma Rahbek was a master at creating good relationships with family members, neighbors, and guests who visited Bakkehuset. Her beautifully crafted boxes and flowers from her lush garden were both a source of and a physical manifestation of her many friendships. The boxes were made of cardboard and paper, and Kamma Rahbek gave them away as gifts to friends and acquaintances. She did the same with flowers from her garden.

Kamma Rahbek is also known for her many letters, which provide an intimate insight into her life and thoughts. She was generous and created a vibrant atmosphere around her despite childlessness and poor health. She was called 'The Blue Flower,' and people said about her that she had magic hands. Everything she touched acquired an indescribable neatness. She herself felt "torn between the spiritual and the physical."

Amanda Betz has been fascinated by Kamma Rahbek's universe and has delved into the world of flowers, boxes, and letters to find inspiration. The works in the exhibition are created in paper, which was also Kamma Rahbek's preferred material. The gift is a strong symbol of human relationships, and the exhibition's works are created as gifts to Kamma Rahbek. For Amanda Betz, the exhibition is "an acknowledgment of and a symbol of how Kamma Rahbek created the life of Bakkehuset and how she filled the days with joy and beauty."

Betz's works refer to specific flowers, dialogues, and places mentioned in Kamma Rahbek's letters. In this way, they connect very closely to the hostess's personality, life, and era. In the works, museum objects such as the glove and collar are juxtaposed with the symbolism of flowers and their personal significance for Kamma Rahbek. By allowing the works to contain impressions of Kamma Rahbek's personality, Betz subtly attempts to create a contemporary and spatial connection to her through giving the artworks to her as presents.