Also See: Dane Taps His Inner Geologist to Evolve Artistically

In addition to the main Per Kirkeby exhibition, the Phillips Collection and the Embassy of Denmark are partnering to introduce Washingtonians to the artist’s Scandinavian homeland through two special editions of “Phillips after 5,” the museum’s popular after-hours program held on the first Thursday of each month.

“Phillips after 5: Winter Fairy Tale” (Dec. 6) celebrates the delights of December, Danish style, with stories by Hans Christian Andersen and traditional Danish fare. “Phillips after 5: Arctic Expedition” (Jan. 3), inspired by Kirkeby’s geological research in Greenland, features an environmental scientist’s perspective on the exhibition and an interactive challenge based on Kirkeby’s richly layered paintings using Legos, which were invented in Denmark.

At the Jan. 3 event, the Kennedy Center will also preview “Nordic Cool 2013,” an international festival of theater, dance, music, visual arts, literature, design and film that highlights the diverse cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as the territories of Greenland and the Faroe and Åland Islands.

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About the Author

Michael Coleman is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.