The Capricorn and the Bulls head
In Grønnegade in Odense, you’ll come across the artwork Helheden (~The Totality), also known as The Ibex and the Bull’s Head. Created by sculptor Claus Ørntoft, these striking granite sculptures rise at the entrance to the street, drawing attention with their powerful forms. At the same time, they are part of a larger artistic design that gives the area its distinctive character.
Two Monumental Animal Heads in Granite
Helheden was created by Claus Ørntoft between 1986 and 1988 and consists of an ibex head and a bull’s head carved from granite. The artwork is located at the entrance to Grønnegade near the Brandts district, where the two sculptures stand on large stone plinths, marking the transition between the city’s shopping streets and this smaller side street.
Animal motifs are characteristic of Ørntoft’s work, and throughout his career he frequently used animals as artistic subjects. Helheden was also his first major public art commission and already demonstrates the preference for monumental forms and natural materials that later became a defining feature of his artistic practice.
More Than a Sculpture
Although most visitors first notice the two animal heads, Helheden was conceived as more than a single artwork. The sculptures form part of a wider artistic scheme that also includes granite benches and the street’s paving. Together, these elements create a small urban space where people can pause, take a break, and experience art as a natural part of their surroundings.
Claus Ørntoft did not simply want to place sculptures in the city. He aimed to create a sense of unity between art, materials, and the spaces people move through in everyday life. As a result, Helheden functions both as a striking work of art and as an integral part of the experience of Grønnegade.
Last updated by:VisitOdensejmjen@odense.dk
