Danish design

Last updated

Arne Jacobsen's clock in the Glostrup Town Hall, Glostrup, Denmark Arne jacobsen, glostrup town hall, 1953-1959 (4712539449).jpg
Arne Jacobsen's clock in the Glostrup Town Hall, Glostrup, Denmark

Danish design is a style of functionalistic design and architecture that was developed in mid-20th century. Influenced by the German Bauhaus school, many Danish designers used the new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism to design buildings, furniture and household objects, many of which have become iconic and are still in use and production. Prominent examples are the Egg chair, the PH lamps and the Sydney Opera House (Australia).

Contents

History

The Danish Culture Canon credits Thorvald Bindesbøll (1846–1908) with early contributions to design in the areas of ceramics, jewellery, bookbinding, silver and furniture although he is known in the rest of the world for creating the Carlsberg logo (1904), still in use today. [1] The Canon also includes Knud V. Engelhardt (1882–1931) for a more industrial approach, especially in the rounded contours of his electric tramcar designs which were widely copied. [2] In the area of textiles, Marie Gudme Leth (1895–1997) brought the screen printing process to Denmark, opening a factory in 1935 which allowed her colourful patterns to be manufactured on an industrial basis. [3] August Sandgren introduced functionalism in the design of his masterful bookbindings.

The forms and materials of Hans Wegner's Wishbone Chair are representative of the movement's aesthetic Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair.jpg
The forms and materials of Hans Wegner's Wishbone Chair are representative of the movement's aesthetic

In the late 1940s, shortly after the end of the Second World War, conditions in Denmark were ideally suited to success in design. The emphasis was on furniture but architecture, silver, ceramics, glass and textiles also benefitted from the trend. Denmark's late industrialisation combined with a tradition of high-quality craftsmanship formed the basis of gradual progress towards industrial production. After the end of the war, Europeans were keen to find novel approaches such as the light wood furniture from Denmark. Last but not least, support in Denmark for freedom of individual expression assisted the cause. [4]

The newly established Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Art played a considerable part in the development of furniture design. Kaare Klint taught functionalism based on the size and proportions of objects, wielding considerable influence. Hans J. Wegner, who had been trained as a cabinetmaker, contributed with a unique sense of form, especially in designing chairs. [5]

As head of FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen designed simple and robust objects of furniture for the average Danish family. Finn Juhl demonstrated an individualistic approach in designing chairs with an appealing but functional look.

In the early 1950s, American design also influenced Danish furniture. The American Charles Eames designed and manufactured chairs of moulded wood and steel pipes. These encouraged Arne Jacobsen to design his worldfamous Ant Chair, Denmark's first industrially manufactured chair. Furthermore, as Shaker furniture—and especially its reputation for stripped down chairs—began to be more and more known abroad, it also influenced Danish designers. [6]

Poul Kjærholm, Verner Panton and Nanna Ditzel followed a few years later, continuing the successful story of Danish design. Kjærholm worked mainly in steel and leather, Panton left Denmark during the 1960s to continue designing imaginative but highly unconventional plastic chairs while Nanna Ditzel, who also had a strongly individualistic approach, was successful in helping to renew Danish furniture design in the 1980s.

Bernadotte's thermos jug, 2004 Bernadotte Thermos.jpg
Bernadotte's thermos jug, 2004

During the 1970s, Verner Panton made some of his most important designs, including the Pantonova and the 1-2-3 System.

Danish furniture design during the 1980s did not include prominent contributions. By contrast, industrial designers began to prosper, making use of principles such as focus on the user, as well as attention to materials and to detail. For example, there are well known Danish designers, like Tobias Jacobsen (the grandson of Arne Jacobsen), who focused on the single elements of a violin when creating his chair "Vio" or on a boomerang when designing his eponymous sideboard. [7]

The Bernadotte & Bjørn studio, established in 1950, was the first to specialise in industrial design, with an emphasis on office machines, domestic appliances and functional articles such as the thermos jug. The electronics manufacturer Bang & Olufsen, in collaboration with Bernadotte & Bjørn and later with Jacob Jensen and David Lewis, went on to excel in modern design work. Around the same time, the Stelton company collaborated with Arne Jacobsen and Erik Magnussen to produce their iconic vacuum jug, a huge international success.

Another successful design field is medical technology. Danish design companies like 3PART, Designit and CBD have worked in this area with individual designers such as Steve McGugan and Anders Smith.

In 2002 the Danish Government and the City of Copenhagen launched an effort to establish a world event for design in Copenhagen. Originally understood as a tool for branding traditional Danish design, the non-profit organization INDEX: shifted focus after worldwide research and coined the concept of Design to Improve Life, which rapidly became celebrated in Denmark and around the world. The organization now hands out the biggest design award in the world biannual in Copenhagen, tours large scale outdoor exhibition around the world, run educational program as well as design labs and hosts a global network.[ citation needed ]

Today, there is strong focus on design in Denmark as industry increasingly appreciates the importance of design in the business environment. In addition, as part of its trade and industry policy, the Danish government has launched the DesignDenmark initiative which aims to restore Denmark to the international design elite. [8]

Architecture

Utzon's Sydney Opera House, 1973 SydneyOperaHouse.jpg
Utzon's Sydney Opera House, 1973

Modern architecture has also contributed to the concept of Danish design.

Arhus City Hall, Arhus, Denmark Arne jacobsen, aarhus town hall 1937-1942 2.jpg
Århus City Hall, Århus, Denmark

Arne Jacobsen was not just a furniture designer but one of the leading architects of his times. Among his achievements are the Bellevue Theater and restaurant, Klampenborg (1936), the Århus City Hall (with Erik Møller; 1939–42) and the SAS Royal Hotel (1958–60). [9]

Jørn Utzon (1918–2008), Denmark's most widely recognized architect, is remembered for his expressionist Sydney Opera House (1966) and the later Bagsværd Church (1976) with its wavy concrete roof. [10]

Henning Larsen (b. 1925) is the architect who designed the boldly modern Copenhagen Opera House on the island of Holmen which was completed in 2005. [11]

Danish architecture is currently in a new-wave era, not receiving more attention since the golden age of Arne Jacobsen and Jørn Utzon, being focused on function and concept rather than aesthetics and an impeccable finish. [12] Bjarke Ingels of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Dan Stubbergaard's architectural firm Cobe who met at the former drawing office Plot, [13] are both part of the new wave. Mentionable projects are BIG's Amager Bakke (Copenhill) and Cobe's Nørreport Station. [14]

Recent achievements

Today, the concept of Danish design is thriving in an ever-wider number of fields. Among recent highlights are:

Designers

Among the most successful designers associated with the concept are Børge Mogensen (1914–72), Finn Juhl (1912–89), Hans Wegner (1914–2007), Arne Jacobsen (1902–71), Poul Kjærholm (1929–80), Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) and Verner Panton (1926–98). [22]

Other designers of note include Kristian Solmer Vedel (1923–2003) in the area of industrial design, Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919–2008) for kitchen furniture and implements, Gertrud Vasegaard (1913–2007) for ceramics, and Ole Wanscher (1903–85), who had a classical approach to furniture design.

Museums

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arne Jacobsen</span> Danish architect (1902–1971)

Arne Emil Jacobsen, Hon. FAIA was a Danish architect and furniture designer. He is remembered for his contribution to architectural functionalism and for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple well-designed chairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Denmark</span> Culture of Northern European country

The culture of Denmark has a rich artistic and scientific heritage. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875), the philosophical essays of Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), the short stories of Karen Blixen, penname Isak Dinesen, (1885–1962), the plays of Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754), modern authors such as Herman Bang and Nobel laureate Henrik Pontoppidan and the dense, aphoristic poetry of Piet Hein (1905–1996), have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of Carl Nielsen (1865–1931). From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated with Dogme 95 like those of Lars Von Trier. Denmark has had a strong tradition of movie making and Carl Theodor Dreyer has been recognised as one of the world's greatest film directors. The astronomical discoveries of Tycho Brahe (1546–1601), Ludwig A. Colding's (1815–1888) neglected articulation of the principle of conservation of energy, and the foundational contributions to atomic physics of Niels Bohr (1885–1962); in this century Lene Vestergaard Hau in quantum physics involving the stopping of light, advances in nano-technology, and contributions to the understanding of Bose-Einstein Condensates, demonstrate the range and endurance of Danish scientific achievement.

Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) was a Danish designer. Born in Østervrå, Denmark, Kjærholm began his career as a cabinetmaker's apprentice with Gronbech in 1948, attending the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1952. In 1953, he married Hanne Kjærholm who became a successful architect. While working as a designer, he also became an educator continuing studies with Prof. Erik Herløw and Prof. Palle Suenson.

Hans Jørgensen Wegner was a Danish furniture designer. His work, along with a concerted effort from several of his manufacturers, contributed to the international popularity of mid-century Danish design. His style is often described as Organic Functionality, a modernist school with emphasis on functionality. This school of thought arose primarily in Scandinavian countries with contributions by Poul Henningsen, Alvar Aalto, and Arne Jacobsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Verner Panton</span> Danish furniture designer

Verner Panton is considered one of Denmark's most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers. During his career, he created innovative and futuristic designs in a variety of materials, especially plastics, and in vibrant and exotic colors. His style was very "1960s" but regained popularity at the end of the 20th century. As of 2004, Panton's best-known furniture models are still in production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Functionalism (architecture)</span> Principle that defines a type of architecture

In architecture, functionalism is the principle that buildings should be designed based solely on their purpose and function. An international functionalist architecture movement emerged in the wake of World War I, as part of the wave of Modernism. Its ideas were largely inspired by a desire to build a new and better world for the people, as broadly and strongly expressed by the social and political movements of Europe after the extremely devastating world war. In this respect, functionalist architecture is often linked with the ideas of socialism and modern humanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaare Klint</span> Danish architect and furniture designer

Kaare Klint was a Danish architect and furniture designer, known as the father of modern Danish furniture design. His style was epitomized by clean, pure lines, use of the best materials of his time and superb craftsmanship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scandinavian design</span> 20th-century design movement

Scandinavian design is a design movement characterized by simplicity, minimalism and functionality that emerged in the early 20th century, and subsequently flourished in the 1950s throughout the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danish modern</span> Style of furniture

Danish modern is a style of minimalist furniture and housewares from Denmark associated with the Danish design movement. In the 1920s, Kaare Klint embraced the principles of Bauhaus modernism in furniture design, creating clean, pure lines based on an understanding of classical furniture craftsmanship coupled with careful research into materials, proportions, and the requirements of the human body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellevue Teatret</span>

The Bellevue Teatret is a theatre in Klampenborg at the northern outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark. Opened in 1936 to the design of Arne Jacobsen, the building is considered one of his most important architectural works and exemplar of Danish functionalism. The theatre is part of a scheme also including the adjoining Bellevue Beach and residential block and was, at the time, seen as a manifestation of "the dream of the modern lifestyle".

Komplot Design is a design studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 1987 by Danish architect Poul Christiansen and Russian-born designer Boris Berlin. The company works within the fields of industrial, graphic and furniture design.

Fritz Hansen, also known as Republic of Fritz Hansen, is a Danish furniture design company. Designers who have worked for Fritz Hansen include Arne Jacobsen (1902–1971), Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980), Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007) and Piet Hein (1905–1996). Fritz Hansen also collaborates with contemporary furniture architects including Hiromichi Konno, Cecilie Manz, and Kasper Salto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Børge Mogensen</span> Danish furniture designer (1914–1972)

Børge Mogensen, was a Danish furniture designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stelling House</span>

Stelling House is a building on Gammeltorv in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. Completed in 1937, it was designed as an office building and retail store for the A. Stelling paint company by Arne Jacobsen who took pains to have it blend in with the older buildings which surround it.

Jørgen Gammelgaard (1938–1991) was a Danish furniture designer who also designed lamps and silverware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poul Volther</span> Danish furniture designer (1923–2001)

Poul M. Volther was a Danish furniture designer who is remembered above all for his iconic Corona Chair. He succeeded Børge Mogensen as artistic director of FDB Møbler in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panton Chair</span> Plastic chair designed by Verner Panton

The Panton Chair is an S-shaped plastic chair created by the Danish designer Verner Panton in the 1960s. The world's first moulded plastic chair, it is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Danish design. The chair was included in the 2006 Danish Culture Canon.

Carl Hansen & Søn is a family-owned Danish furniture company based on the island of Funen. Carl Hansen & Søn is the company behind many classical furniture designs by leading figures of the Danish modern movement but the company is also collaborating with contemporary designers. Knud Erik Hansen, its current owner and CEO, is the grandson of the founder.

FDB Møbler is a Danish furniture company established in 1942. It was formerly a subsidiary of FDB. Børge Mogensen served as the design studio manager and many of his designs are sold by the company. Mogensen was succeeded Poul M. Volther (1950–55), Ejvind A. Johansson (1956–58), and Jørgen Bækmark (1958–67).

Palle Suenson was a Danish modernist architect. He was the son of Professor Edouard Suenson, engineer, and of Henriette Benedicte Hartmann.

References

  1. Thorvald Bindesbølls livsværk (PDF) (in Danish), DK: Skoletjensten Kunstindustrimuseet, archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015, retrieved 24 January 2013.
  2. Knud V. Engelhardts livsværk (PDF) (in Danish), DK: Skoletjenesten Kunstindustrimuseet, archived from the original (PDF) on 12 May 2014, retrieved 22 January 2013.
  3. "Marie Gudme Leth", Dansk Biografisk Leksikon (in Danish), DK: Den store danske, 13 July 2012, retrieved 23 January 2013.
  4. Furniture and Industrial Design (PDF), DK: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2019, retrieved 17 December 2008.
  5. "Designers", Danish Furniture , retrieved 17 December 2008.
  6. Taft, Maggie, "Morphologies and Genealogies; Shaker Furniture and Danish Design," Design and Culture 7:3, 313–334.
  7. Designerprofile Tobias Jacobsen, D: Fashion For Home, retrieved 11 September 2015.
  8. DesignDenmark (PDF), DK: The Danish Government, archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2009, retrieved 17 December 2008.
  9. "Who is Who in Historical Danish architecture", About, DK: Denmark, archived from the original on 20 May 2009, retrieved 18 December 2008
  10. "Bagsvaerd Kirke, København", e-architect, retrieved 18 December 2008.
  11. "Copenhagen Opera House", e-architect, retrieved 18 December 2008.
  12. "Unge arkitektkometer sætter Danmark på verdenskortet". 21 March 2016.
  13. "København er stjernearkitektens afsæt til international succes". 6 April 2019.
  14. "Unge arkitektkometer sætter Danmark på verdenskortet". 21 March 2016.
  15. "Zenvo to Produce "Real Supercar with Excessive Power"", Motor Trend, 17 December 2008, The phrase "Danish design" brings to mind odd-looking chairs and bright-colored handbags – not (this supercar). Still, Zenvo Automotive asserts its ST1 hypercar is pure Dane conceived, engineered, and assembled..
  16. Zenvo Automotive , retrieved 18 December 2008.
  17. SHH Create New Store Concept for Evita Peroni, Dexigner, retrieved 19 December 2008.
  18. "10 eye-popping new buildings that you'll see in 2014". CNN Style. CNN . Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  19. "Wired names Halifax's flagship library among top 10 most beautiful in the world". CBC News. 9 September 2016.
  20. Wall, Don (12 November 2015). "ACEC awards: SNC-Lavalin triumphs with Halifax library". Daily Commercial News.
  21. "Halifax Central Library nominated for prestigious architectural award". CBC News. 23 June 2015.
  22. "Danish Design and Architecture", About Denmark, Denmark, archived from the original on 20 May 2009, retrieved 17 December 2008
  23. Danish design at MoMA, House of Copenhagen, retrieved 18 December 2008.
  24. Bray, Paul (8 February 2019). "Get the Scandi look: where to shop for Danish design in Copenhagen". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 18 December 2020.