copenhagen design week 09: 'it's a small world' exhibition at the danish design center

exhibition view
image © designboom

'it's a small world' exhibition at the danish design center, copenhagen challenges
danish design traditions and explores future design practices from a global perspective.
the exhibition examines the role of design as a problem-solver in a world filled with
surplus production and an endless supply of products. global challenges such as
sustainability and the growing demand for individual, non-standardized solutions
make both specialization and flexibility key concerns at every stage of the design process.
the interaction between individual preferences and global needs is the question for debate
which the exhibition raises.

the exhibition will travel internationally throughout 2010-2011 and is on display at
the danish design center from 28 August 2009 until late january 2010.
the exhibition has been curated by:
danish design centre, architect/designer maa/mdd tina midtgaard (project manager)
danish crafts, architect karen kjærgaard
danish architecture center, architect maa kjersti wikstrøm


'swingtime' 2008 by søren ulrik petersen and claus mølgaard
image © designboom

in a fine blend of craft skills, technology and function, SUP & molgaard's ambition is to
promote closer relations between people. practicing craft innovation 'swingtime'
is motion and momentum-human-powered.


'swingtime' 2008 by søren ulrik petersen and claus mølgaard
image © designboom


'pluralis' 2009 by cecilie manz
image © designboom

working seriously and ideologically in order to avoid trivialities, cecilie manz is a representative
of new conscious craft. always seeking the answer within the question, working inside out,
focusing on simplicity, she works her way towards an aesthetic object, questioning functionality
and habits.


'pluralis' 2009 by cecilie manz
image © designboom


'prince chair' 2001 by louise cambell
produced by hay, denmark
image © designboom


'very round' 2006 by louise cambell
produced by zanotta, italy
image © designboom


'very round' 2006 by louise cambell
produced by zanotta, italy
image © designboom


'spider woman' 2005 by louise cambell
produced by hay, denmark
image © designboom


'the fringe project- project 10' by bibskov & emenius
image © designboom

project 10 works as a soul wash of sorts, a rite of passage-machine consisting of five
majestically turbulent spruces brushing the dusts the dust of the world off you. being one of the
most emotional pieces of the fringe projects, project 10 overtly deals with transformation
and transition. the cylindrical rollers have specifically been modified for the exhibition.


'the fringe project- project 10' by bibskov & emenius
image © designboom


'the fringe project- project 10' by bibskov & emenius
image © designboom


'life cycle' by steen lpsen, ceramist
image © designboom

in a powerful yet precise expression, steen lpsen explores the boundaries of the full diversity
of the sphere and the circle, commenting on our life cycles. steen lpsen finds inspiration in city
architecture and design. in their transition from clay to form, his works undergo a transformation
from ceramic sculpture to design object, as he explores the relationship between craft and design.


life cycle' by steen lpsen, ceramist
image © designboom


life cycle' by steen lpsen, ceramist
image © designboom


'the royal playhouse' 2008 by ludgaard & tranberg, architects A/S
image © designboom

the royal danish playhouse, the new national stage for the dramatic arts, is an effective 'theater machine'
that takes form as a pronounced, yet respectful completion of the surrounding city. blending with local
feels and textures, challenging both tradition and innovation, lundgaard & tranberg architects have
succeeded in creating a wholly unique experience - spectacular setting brought to life by sky, water and
careful spatial articulation. the stage tower exterior is copper-clad and the footbridge is made of solid
oak timber. the relief-patterned cladding on interior and exterior walls, a long, slim, deep-brown brick,
is crafted from ceramic tiles and specially developed for the project.


'the royal playhouse' 2008 by ludgaard & tranberg, architects A/S
image © designboom


exterior wall of the royal playhouse
image © designboom


pre-study of main auditorium with a balcony
'the royal playhouse' 2008 by ludgaard & tranberg, architects A/S
image © designboom


'the royal playhouse' 2008 by ludgaard & tranberg, architects A/S
image © designboom


'the royal playhouse' 2008 by ludgaard & tranberg, architects A/S
image © designboom


'suntiles' 2009 by astrid krogh, textile designer
'suntiles' was developed in collaboration with risø DTU, kvadrat, schmidt/hammer/lassen architects
and the consulting engineering firm esbensen A/S.
image © designboom

rooted in a textile tradition, astrid krogh experiments with fiber optics, LEDs and solar cell plates.
the result is artistic light installations and light mobiles. her latest research and design project is
something as obvious as a curtain woven of solar cell plates. 'suntiles' not only collects energy
from the sunlight; it also stores the heat and releases it when needed, thus saving energy.


'suntiles' 2009 by astrid krogh, textile designer
image © designboom


exhibition view
image © designboom