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38-752: The Churchill Club was one of the earliest resistance groups to be formed in Denmark. Under the leadership of 16-year-old Knud Pedersen , their activities began at the end of 1941 when they began to target the German occupation forces in Aalborg to imitate the resistance of Norwegian soldiers. They succeeded in carrying out 25 acts of sabotage before they were arrested by the police in May 1942. Some of those acts of sabotage included stealing weapons and destroying vehicles, blueprints, and plane parts. The boys were charged with

76-602: A city prison, Kong Hans Gades arresthus, and the next in Nyborg State Prison . After release, the Resistance refused his service as the Nazis were watching him, and he could easily be identified on covert missions. Eventually, he joined K Company, Division B, Group 4, which moved weapons caches to avoid German detection. After release, Pedersen turned to the arts, partly as an artist but mainly as an organizer. As

114-600: A dinner in their honor. Knud Pedersen has written four books about the Churchill Club; all were republished in an omnibus edition in 2005. Bjarne Reuter 's fictional book Drengene fra St. Petri is based on the activities of the Churchill Club. It has been published in English as The Boys of St. Petri . The story of Pedersen and the Churchill Club is also told in a book by an American author, Phillip Hoose , titled The Boys who Challenged Hitler . It features

152-490: A fine of 1,860 million kroner for the destroyed Nazi property; their sentences ranged from one and a half to five years in prison. Even during their imprisonment, some of the boys managed to escape at night to continue their sabotage activities for some time, then sneak back into their cells before sunrise. On April 9, 1940, the German Army invaded Denmark with little resistance. 14-year old Knud Pedersen and his family saw

190-408: A group of four, Pedersen, Køpcke, and two young Danish composers, Eric Andersen and Henning Christiansen , who enlivened Danish art life with numerous Fluxus performances in 1963 and 1964, many organized by Pedersen. Pedersen continued to work on other projects besides Fluxus. In 1964, he got Tuborg brewery to agree to display art works on the sides of beer delivery vans throughout the country. At

228-408: A group of four, Pedersen, Køpcke, and two young Danish composers, Eric Andersen and Henning Christiansen , who enlivened Danish art life with numerous Fluxus performances in 1963 and 1964, many organized by Pedersen. Pedersen continued to work on other projects besides Fluxus. In 1964, he got Tuborg brewery to agree to display art works on the sides of beer delivery vans throughout the country. At

266-450: A lit match into the fuel tank. The Club would patrol the town on a regular basis and take any opportunity to steal German soldiers' guns while their backs were turned. Being unfamiliar with guns, they never used them, but they would stockpile them and turn them into homemade explosives for sabotage missions. On May 2, 1942, the Club, using discs from mortar grenades, blew up railroad cars at

304-652: A painting for the price of a packet of cigarettes. Both projects still exist, and the Picture of the City is on Nikolaj Kirke Plads in Copenhagen . As a young bohemian in Copenhagen in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Pedersen was acquainted with many local artists. One was Arthur Köpcke or Køpcke, a German national emigrated to Denmark in 1958. Køpcke ran a small eponymous gallery, Galerie Køpcke, that exhibited some of

342-429: A painting for the price of a packet of cigarettes. Both projects still exist, and the Picture of the City is on Nikolaj Kirke Plads in Copenhagen . As a young bohemian in Copenhagen in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Pedersen was acquainted with many local artists. One was Arthur Köpcke or Køpcke, a German national emigrated to Denmark in 1958. Køpcke ran a small eponymous gallery, Galerie Køpcke, that exhibited some of

380-504: A public figure started in 1942, als er mit sieben anderen jungen Dänen die Widerstandsgruppe , Churchill Klubben, gründete. Nach dem Krieg arbeitete er kurz als Zeitungsreporter, besuchte die juristische Fakultät und arbeitete für eine Filmgesellschaft, bevor er sein Leben der Kunst widmete. Knud Pedersen was a resistance fighter during World War II. Angered that the Danish government had let

418-399: A year and 6 months to 3 years. In October 1942, a few boys (Kaj and Alf Houlberg and Knud Hornbo) managed to escape King Hans Gades Jail for 19 consecutive nights, having sawed loose a window bar, and perform more acts of sabotage. After the boys were recaptured, attacks from the Churchill Club ceased. In 1950, Churchill visited Denmark to accept an award. On October 14 he met with the club at

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456-440: A youth, he loved painting, and his father encouraged him with an account at a local art store for supplies. His ambition was to make art available to everyone, and he launched several projects. In 1943, authorities gave him permission to install Byens billede , the Picture of the City, an empty frame in which paintings were exhibited. In 1945, he founded his Kunstbibliotek , or Art Library, an art rental space where people could rent

494-475: Is about creating a framework within which the art can develop. Some examples follow. In 1967, he opened the Copenhagen Museum of Modern Art, a virtual museum, where he was director and received daily invitations and publications from other museums. During the early 1970s, the "Fluxshoe" exhibition toured England, and Pedersen organized a "two-ball football match" at University College Sports Ground for

532-407: Is about creating a framework within which the art can develop. Some examples follow. In 1967, he opened the Copenhagen Museum of Modern Art, a virtual museum, where he was director and received daily invitations and publications from other museums. During the early 1970s, the "Fluxshoe" exhibition toured England, and Pedersen organized a "two-ball football match" at University College Sports Ground for

570-489: The Nazis invade without the Danish army putting up a fight, he and a group of Danish teenage boys started the Churchill Club, named after British leader Winston Churchill . The Churchill Club sabotaged cars and train stations and stole many weapons and explosives from the Nazis. Pedersen was arrested and tried for sabotage, stealing, destruction of property, and other offences. He was imprisoned for two years, spending one year in

608-529: The Aalborg railroad yard, which was the town's main Nazi base. The cars they blew up contained airplane wings, machinery, and Swedish iron ore likely destined for the German war effort. Danish firemen were slow to put out the flames, fearing additional explosions. This was one of their most successful attacks. On May 8, 1942, a waitress (Elsa Ottesen) saw two members of the Club enter a large cafe and go straight for

646-641: The Art Library for most of his life, but he was a prolific writer and initiated many projects. He founded the European Film College , Ebeltoft , and Netbogklubben, the NetBook Club that sold digital books and more. During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, he was an active in the mail art network, exchanging art works with hundreds of artists around the globe. These works, together with a great number of Fluxus works and related documents, make up

684-448: The Art Library for most of his life, but he was a prolific writer and initiated many projects. He founded the European Film College , Ebeltoft , and Netbogklubben, the NetBook Club that sold digital books and more. During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, he was an active in the mail art network, exchanging art works with hundreds of artists around the globe. These works, together with a great number of Fluxus works and related documents, make up

722-588: The Art Library, he installed a jukebox with works of sound art and offered to rent jukeboxes to every interested institution. In 1968, he opened a savings account at a special interest rate at the Danish Bikuben bank , depositing 100 Danish crowns. He calculated that the 100 crowns would grow to 659 billion crowns in 285 years, providing enough to finance three projects by Fluxus artists Eric Andersen, George Brecht, and Arthur Køpcke. Throughout this time, Pedersen developed as an artist, partly because Fluxus art

760-524: The Art Library, he installed a jukebox with works of sound art and offered to rent jukeboxes to every interested institution. In 1968, he opened a savings account at a special interest rate at the Danish Bikuben bank , depositing 100 Danish crowns. He calculated that the 100 crowns would grow to 659 billion crowns in 285 years, providing enough to finance three projects by Fluxus artists Eric Andersen, George Brecht, and Arthur Køpcke. Throughout this time, Pedersen developed as an artist, partly because Fluxus art

798-649: The Churchill Club (2015), tells the story of the Churchill Club. Knud Pedersen Knud Pedersen (26 December 1925, in Grenaa – 18 December 2014, in Gentofte ) was a Danish artist and resistance leader. His career as a public figure started in 1942, als er mit sieben anderen jungen Dänen die Widerstandsgruppe , Churchill Klubben, gründete. Nach dem Krieg arbeitete er kurz als Zeitungsreporter, besuchte die juristische Fakultät und arbeitete für eine Filmgesellschaft, bevor er sein Leben der Kunst widmete. Knud Pedersen

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836-428: The Churchill Club after Prime Minister of United Kingdom Winston Churchill . They performed their acts of sabotage in the daylight using their bicycles as their form of transportation. They acted in the daytime because at night everything was guarded more heavily. One of their main acts of resistance was painting their symbol on street signs and on the homes and offices of Nazi soldiers. One of their first acts of sabotage

874-774: The Museum of Modern Art, Oxford . In 1992, during the “Excellent 1992” festival, he organized (i) the Good Buy Supermarket, a one-day sale of art multiples at a regular supermarket, and (ii) the “Three Star à la Carte,” where Fluxus pieces were served in a restaurant setting. The latter was reinterpreted at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead on 15 February 2009 in connection with the George Maciunas: The Dream of Fluxus exhibition. Pedersen ran

912-451: The Museum of Modern Art, Oxford . In 1992, during the “Excellent 1992” festival, he organized (i) the Good Buy Supermarket, a one-day sale of art multiples at a regular supermarket, and (ii) the “Three Star à la Carte,” where Fluxus pieces were served in a restaurant setting. The latter was reinterpreted at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead on 15 February 2009 in connection with the George Maciunas: The Dream of Fluxus exhibition. Pedersen ran

950-501: The arts, partly as an artist but mainly as an organizer. As a youth, he loved painting, and his father encouraged him with an account at a local art store for supplies. His ambition was to make art available to everyone, and he launched several projects. In 1943, authorities gave him permission to install Byens billede , the Picture of the City, an empty frame in which paintings were exhibited. In 1945, he founded his Kunstbibliotek , or Art Library, an art rental space where people could rent

988-528: The bulk of the Knud Pedersen Fluxus Archive, located at Kunsthallen Nikolaj in Copenhagen. The archive, however, is not a systematic collection of material. As Pedersen said, "I do not collect, I just never throw anything away.” He died at the age of 88 on 18 December 2014. Knud Pedersen Knud Pedersen (26 December 1925, in Grenaa – 18 December 2014, in Gentofte ) was a Danish artist and resistance leader. His career as

1026-529: The coat closet, where later a (German) soldier reported a stolen pistol. Witnesses identified the two boys outside their private school. Later that night, Knud was arrested and the Germans took their stockpile of stolen weapons. Everyone who was involved was arrested that night. They were sent to King Hans Gades Jail to await the judge's verdict, then later sent to State Prison in Nyborg with sentences ranging from

1064-824: The horrific acts of violence the German troops committed against their people. Knud and his older brother Jens also saw how Norway was fighting the invasion and felt shame in their country for giving in within just a few hours. Knud, along with his friends and family, started a small resistance group in Odense, Denmark. They named themselves the RAF after the British Royal Air Force because of the high level of respect they had for them. They started with small acts of sabotage such as cutting phone lines of German Military Headquarters, and turning around or breaking German street direction signs. They performed these small acts through

1102-548: The most advanced art in Europe. Besides local artists, he exhibited works by Piero Manzoni , Christian Megert, Diter Rot , Robert Filliou , Niki de Saint Phalle , and Daniel Spoerri . Through Rot, Filliou, and Spoerri, he also met George Maciunas , who coined the name Fluxus . Køpcke offered to organize a Fluxus concert in Copenhagen, and Maciunas agreed. By that time, Køpcke had to leave his gallery space, and Pederson gave him space at Nikolaj Kirke, today Kunsthallen Nikolaj ,

1140-495: The most advanced art in Europe. Besides local artists, he exhibited works by Piero Manzoni , Christian Megert, Diter Rot , Robert Filliou , Niki de Saint Phalle , and Daniel Spoerri . Through Rot, Filliou, and Spoerri, he also met George Maciunas , who coined the name Fluxus . Køpcke offered to organize a Fluxus concert in Copenhagen, and Maciunas agreed. By that time, Køpcke had to leave his gallery space, and Pederson gave him space at Nikolaj Kirke, today Kunsthallen Nikolaj ,

1178-454: The old desanctified church in Copenhagen's center that housed the Art Library. Pedersen took an interest and helped organize, resulting in Denmark's first series of Fluxus concerts, the second in Fluxus's history, at Nikolaj Kirke from 23 until 28 November 1962. Pedersen enjoyed the experience and continued to organize Fluxus concerts at the Art Library. The November 1962 concerts brought together

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1216-401: The old desanctified church in Copenhagen's center that housed the Art Library. Pedersen took an interest and helped organize, resulting in Denmark's first series of Fluxus concerts, the second in Fluxus's history, at Nikolaj Kirke from 23 until 28 November 1962. Pedersen enjoyed the experience and continued to organize Fluxus concerts at the Art Library. The November 1962 concerts brought together

1254-566: The story as told by Knud Pedersen himself, and also talks about the RAF Club, another sabotage club founded by Knud when he lived in the city of Odense , Denmark . The popular 1991 movie, The Boys from St. Petri (in Danish: Drengene Fra Sankt Petri ), is based on the Churchill Club but goes beyond the facts of the case. Phillip Hoose's non-fiction book, The Boys who Challenged Hitler : Knud Pederson and

1292-468: The summer and fall of 1940. In April 1941, Pedersen moved to Aalborg, forming the Churchill Club there. Meanwhile, the RAF Club stayed active and eventually was in friendly competition with the Churchill Club. In the spring of 1941, Knud Pedersen and his family moved 150 miles north to Aalborg, Denmark. It wasn't until a few days before Christmas of 1941 when Knud wanted to bring the rebellious acts from Odense to Aalborg. Knud and his friends called themselves

1330-425: Was a local company paid by the German Army to build hangars and runways. The boys surreptitiously got past a guarded bridge and made their way to its offices and set a fire inside the main office, destroying blueprints and records. The building did not burn down, but it was their first large-scale sabotage. The Club always took the opportunity to destroy German vehicles, sometimes by bending their radiator, or dropping

1368-476: Was a resistance fighter during World War II. Angered that the Danish government had let the Nazis invade without the Danish army putting up a fight, he and a group of Danish teenage boys started the Churchill Club, named after British leader Winston Churchill . The Churchill Club sabotaged cars and train stations and stole many weapons and explosives from the Nazis. Pedersen was arrested and tried for sabotage, stealing, destruction of property, and other offences. He

1406-411: Was imprisoned for two years, spending one year in a city prison, Kong Hans Gades arresthus, and the next in Nyborg State Prison . After release, the Resistance refused his service as the Nazis were watching him, and he could easily be identified on covert missions. Eventually, he joined K Company, Division B, Group 4, which moved weapons caches to avoid German detection. After release, Pedersen turned to

1444-650: Was painting the words “War Profiteer” in blue paint on the front of businesses that dealt with the Nazis. The symbol of the Churchill Club imitated the Nazi swastika, it was blue with arrows at the end of each line. The symbol stood for “Flames of Rebellion!” In February 1942, the boys of the Churchill Club devised a plan to raid the Fuchs Construction offices at Aalborg airport, an important Luftwaffe base housing 150 bombers used to attack targets in Norway and to protect German ships. The Fuchs construction company

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