Reborn marks the first solo exhibition of Copenhagen-based visual artist Julie Vej, who explores the connection between traditional belief systems surrounding Buddhist reincarnation and contemporary Nordic views on sustainability.

Vej, a former fashion designer, was deeply troubled by the waste and overproduction of the industry. She decided to transform this problem into an opportunity for artistic expression and social activism, creating Mottainai studio. Mottainai is a Japanese term of Buddhist origin that conveys a sense of regret for wasting something valuable. It is often used as an exclamation, such as “mottainai!” when something is thrown away. In Reborn, Vej gives new life to discarded or unused textiles, showcasing works made entirely from upcycled materials, either found by the artist herself or donated by various local designers and

tailors. Vej weaves a number of Buddhist symbols into her textile creations, from trees (strongly associated with enlightenment in Buddhist belief) to circular shapes, evoking the ongoing cycle of life, death and rebirth. Buddhist reincarnation is the belief that after death, one continues to exist in a different form. The goal is, in fact, to break free from the cycle of rebirth by reaching “nirvana”, a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self. In a way, Vej’s reused textiles can be seen as having reached their own kind of nirvana – a state in which everyday items, discarded canvases and paint, have transcended into the “enlightened” form of artworks. Or perhaps they are simply waiting to be “reborn” once again – whether that happens by being incorporated into a new work of art, or being placed in an entirely new context during a future exhibition…

Vej’s interest in harmonizing people, nature, myths and reality by merging two very distant yet often overlapping cultures, challenges audiences to rethink conventional notions of beauty and waste. By drawing inspiration from both Japanese and Nordic aesthetics and philosophy, she creates a unique style that blends East and West, tradition and innovation. As part of the exhibition, Vej will also conduct a workshop where the participants can learn more about her thoughts and process behind the works.

Bien Contemporary is an innovative art space located in the very center of Copenhagen.

We build bridges between art, science, design and architecture. We explore new aesthetics by doing the matical art exhibitions that highlights arts’ ability to nurture from other fields and provide an inclusive and creative space for the art and the non-artistic world.

We aim to enrich Copenhagen cultural life by discovering and presenting new emerging talents. As well as stimulate art appreciation and creation by facilitating workshops to the public.

Cila Brosius (b. 1990) is a German-American curator based in Copenhagen. 

She has a background in Chinese Studies, Anthropology, and Visual Arts Administration, and has worked in a variety of contemporary arts organizations for the past ten years as a curator, content creator, and art business coach.

 She is particularly interested in enhancing the accessibility of the art world and creating a platform to promote visual artists of all cultures and career stages.

Julie Vej (b. 1993) founded her label Mottainai Studio while studying sustainable fashion design in Copenhagen.

During her studies she experimented with textile, upcycling and aesthetics.

She made a conscious decision not to follow the trends of the fast-paced fashion industry, and, instead, created

her own artistic vision of “Slow Aesthetics” – a way of making and appreciating art that is more

meaningful by taking the time to do deeper research and reuse existing materials instead of

discarding them.