Swedish artist Erik Thörnqvist has an eye for the eccentricities hiding in the objects we surround ourselves with. In his work, familiar designs become surreal and often humorous, prompting viewers to reconsider our assumptions about beauty, utility and value. In conversation with art historian Kristian Vistrup Madsen.
...Larger and livelier than ever before, but also more widespread and harder to manoeuvre; we asked our photographer Martin Bruzewitz to cover the 2024 edition of 3 days of design in Copenhagen on a bike. Erwan Bouroullec posed seated in a car parking lot, while Faye Toogood hosted a dinner focusing on colours.
...For The New Era, design journalist and editor Amy Frearson shares her top pick from the 2024 edition of 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen. Her selections highlight the diverse and imaginative spirit of contemporary design, showcasing both emerging talents and established names in the Nordic design scene.
...3 Days of Design 2024 took Copenhagen by storm from 12-14 June, expanding its reach with over 450 exhibitors, a significant increase from the previous year. This year’s theme, Dare to Dream, invited attendees to explore bold visions and innovative concepts across the city. Here are the highlights that captivated us and left a lasting impression.
...We meet with Ilse Crawford at her Neckinger Mills studio – a Grade II-listed former tannery on Abbey Street in Bermondsey, south London. Crawford and her husband Oscar Peña have lived in the building since 2018 and the studio has been here since 2012. In 2021 Studioilse moved in to one of the spaces that was formerly a fine arts restoration studio with a view to turning it into a workshop, a place where physicality is first and foremost. Here the team can work together and lay out large-scale material samples, often with their clients, so they can touch and feel the materiality of a project, and understand the final result, rather than prioritising screens.
...Fredrik Paulsen, a furniture designer renowned for integrating pop culture into his work, resides in Stockholm with his family. Educated at the Royal College of the Arts in London, he has established a distinctive approach to design, focusing on relevance, sustainability and the seamless blend of furniture with broader cultural expressions. Paulsen’s work, characterised by simplicity and an honest use of materials, often incorporates an element of joy. He is also the founder of Joy Objects, a brand that champions small-scale production and sustainability, reflecting his commitment to meaningful design in the contemporary landscape.
...Artist and interior architect Caroushka Streifert shares her unique perspective on construction and object fascination. From observing downpipes instead of shop windows due to her architectural heritage, to creating art from found objects in cities and nature, her work critiques mass consumption and the clutter of modern life. Operating from a top-floor studio in Stockholm, Streifert’s creations are inspired by everything from urban debris to natural finds, emphasising the importance of quantity in making a statement. Her journey from interior architecture to art reflects a deep engagement with the material and conceptual aspects of space and objects, culminating in art books that document her extensive and playful exploration of her craft.
...During Stockholm Design Week Nick Ross showcases two new bodies of work at The Swedish History Museum, made in solid wood and cast metal. The self-initiated collection balances his more traditional work with producers such as The Audo and +Halle. Ross is also involved in the experimental Copenhagen-based brand Niko June, which challenges the traditional notions of how a furniture brand operates. He says the exhibition Primitive Arrangements is about going “back to the basics”.
...In its 10th edition, 3 Days of Design 2023 transformed Copenhagen into a vibrant showcase for both Scandinavian and international design. From June 7-9, the city-wide programme came alive, exhibiting a range of innovative designs, reinterpreted furniture classics, as well as exciting new launches and exhibitions. Here, we’ve taken the opportunity to select our favourite exhibitions and events from this year’s memorable lineup.
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