Two sculptures will attempt to fill the void left by Copenhagen’s most famous tourist attraction

With the city’s famed Little Mermaid being sent to China for eight months for the 2010 World Expo, two attractions will attempt to take its place on the city scene.

At Langelinie, where the original sits until its Asian voyage in May 2010, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will contribute a new, as yet unknown piece for the much-visited spot. Ai is best known for his work on Beijing National Stadium, or the ‘Bird’s nest’, built for the 2008 Olympic Games.

But for those still yearning for a mermaid, what many believe is a more unique work than the famous tourist attraction will be displayed outside the Royal Library, or the Black Diamond as it is commonly known.

A copy of Danish sculptor Anne Marie Carl Nielsen’s 1921 work ‘Mermaid’ will be produced from the original cast and permanently placed at the library. Nielsen’s original sits at the Danish National Gallery, but a half million kroner from her and her husband’s fund have allowed for the recreation of the piece and its display.

Nielsen lived from 1863-1945 and is best known for her Christian IX on horseback statue at the riding grounds of Christiansborg Palace.