Latest news with #DanishMinistryofCulture
Indian Express
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Ugly and pornographic' – 13-foot mermaid statue to be removed in Copenhagen
The Danish government has decided to remove a 13-foot tall 'Big Mermaid' stone statue from public view at Dragør Fort in Copenhagen, after it invited criticism for its exaggerated features. The Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces, which is a part of the Danish Ministry of Culture, reportedly noted that it does not suit the fort's historical environs, which date back to 1910-15. In a report, The Art Newspaper quoted the Agency as stating: '…the agency determined that alterations had been made to Dragør Fort, including the installation of a large mermaid sculpture, without prior permission. The agency has assessed that the sculpture must be removed from Dragør Fort, as it disrupts the fortification's military structure and constitutes an element that is unfamiliar to the site.' The 14-tonne granite statue was first unveiled in Copenhagen in 2006, at a site that was at a distance of a few kilometers from Denmark's famous bronze statue of the 'Little Mermaid' — sculpted by Edvard Eriksen — inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's popular fairytale. Sitting on a rock at Langelinie Pier, it is a major tourist attraction. In 2018, the Big Mermaid was moved to Dragør Fort that has been constructed on an artificial island south of the city. While Danish daily Politiken's art critic Mathias Kryger described the statue as 'ugly and pornographic', Danish newspaper Berlingske journalist Sorine Gotfredsen reportedly wrote: 'Erecting a statue of a man's hot dream of what a woman should look like is unlikely to promote many women's acceptance of their own bodies.' The statue has also found support from others. The Berlingske's editorial page editor, Aminata Corr Thrane, for instance, has been quoted by The Guardian as finding the criticism an act of body shaming. She wrote: 'Do naked female breasts have to have a specific academic shape and size to be allowed to appear in public?' She added: 'Perhaps the two statues – the Big and the Little Mermaid – represent two sides of woman, and the eternal tug of war about what a real woman is. And perhaps even what a wrong woman is.' Meanwhile, Danish entrepreneur Peter Bech, who commissioned the statue, has defended it. A report in The Guardian quotes him as stating that the breasts of the statue are of 'proportional size'. It also notes that Bech stated that he made the statue in response to remarks by tourists who found the Little Mermaid rather too small in size.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Your face, your rights': Denmark's tough new Deepfake law could change how AI imitations are handled across Europe
On June 26, the Danish Ministry of Culture announced a proposal to amend the country's copyright law in a move aimed at addressing the growing challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes. If passed, the amendment would give all Danish citizens the legal right to their own voice, face, and physical likeness, marking what is believed to be the first initiative of its kind in Europe. The legislation has two core objectives. First, it introduces a broad protection for the general public against realistic digital reproductions of personal characteristics without consent. Second, it provides specific protection for performing artists, shielding them from unauthorised imitations of their creative work or performances generated through artificial intelligence. Deepfakes seen as a threat to Democracy and creators The Ministry emphasized the urgency of the issue, warning that it may soon be difficult to distinguish between real and AI-generated content. This, officials say, could become a 'real democratic problem,' particularly given how quickly deepfake content can spread online. Performing artists, the ministry noted, may be particularly vulnerable. With AI tools now capable of replicating voices, faces, and performances with minimal effort, artists risk losing control of their work. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stated: 'You have the right to your own body, your own voice, and your own facial features.' He added that the proposed change is a timely response to technology advancing faster than legislation, and praised the broad political support it has received in the Danish parliament. The proposal is backed by the Social Democrats, Venstre (Liberal Party), the Moderates, and several other parties across the political spectrum. Compliance, enforcement and alignment with EU laws Under the proposal, individuals who are targeted by deepfakes may be able to seek compensation through Denmark's existing civil compensation laws. However, the law does not propose criminal penalties for individuals sharing such content. Technology companies, on the other hand, face stricter consequences. If they fail to act after receiving notification of illicit content under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), they may be fined by the DSA Supervisory Authority or the European Commission. Engel-Schmidt commented that platforms should take this 'very seriously,' noting the potential for 'severe fines.' The Ministry confirmed that the proposal will be submitted to the EU Commission before being formally introduced in Denmark. The law will also be aligned with European and international standards, including the European Convention on Human Rights. This means it will not restrict the use of satire or artistic expression. The government expects to submit the proposal before Denmark's summer recess. The amendment is likely to be passed by the end of the year or early next year. Denmark's deepfake legislation signals a proactive step toward protecting identity, while maintaining alignment with EU rights and regulations.
