A look at innovative design developments in the Danish wood and furniture industry
The exhibition is a look at innovative design developments in the Danish wood and furniture industry.
A tradition of quality
The wood and furniture industry is Denmark’s sixth-largest export trade. Historically, it has been important for Denmark’s international image as a design nation and a supplier of products characterised by high-quality craftsmanship. This is not least thanks to the Danish furniture industry, which rose to world-fame in the 1950’s and 60’s, as Danish architects, designers and furniture manufacturers gained international recognition for their furniture design.
Innovation and growth
Since then, there have been significant technological developments in the wood and furniture industry, challenging the companies’ innovation skills and willingness to embrace change. Here, design has played a key part by providing added value for the Danish products and in many cases helped generate new markets for the companies.
“In 2008, the Danish Design Centre focuses on the Danish wood and furniture industry. The goal is to encourage even more companies in the Danish wood and furniture industry to adopt innovative approaches in order to secure Denmark's long-term position as a leading design nation,” says Managing Director Christian Scherfig.
The total turnover of the Danish wood and furniture industry in 2007 was over 43 billion kroner; the industry accounts for some 29,500 jobs.
Living Wood – about the exhibition
Living Wood looks at wood design and innovation in a developmental perspective. The exhibition tells the stories about wood and the companies and designers that define the industry and presents examples of successful Danish products from the wood and furniture industry.
The exhibition is structured around seven main themes:
* ‘Boundless creativity’ – about design in wood for children
* ‘Craftsmanship’ – about the alliance between craftsmanship and design
* ‘Driven by technology’ – about new possibilities with technology
* ‘Large-scale production’ – about mass production and furniture design
* ‘International sources of inspiration’ – about international influences on Danish furniture design
* ‘Innovation in construction’ – about the design of the Velux window and other examples
* ‘Authentic and exclusive’ – about design in wood for our homes
The exhibition curator is Thomas Dickson, the author of the book ‘Dansk Design’ (2006), among other titles. Thomas Dickson Thomas Dickson has a degree in architecture and industrial design from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture and a degree in journalism from The Danish School of Journalism.
The exhibition is open to the public from 12 April through 7 September 2008.
Press photos are available for download from http://foto.ddc.dk
Additional information
Team Manager Susanne Søndahl Wolff, Communications, DDC, ssw@ddc.dk, tel +45 3369 3309
Team Manager Maria Elskær, Exhibitions, DDC, mel@ddc.dk, tel +45 3369 332
Project Manager Pia Dandanell Parrot, Communications, DDC, pdc@ddc.dk, tel +45 3369 3345
Danish Design Centre
H C Andersens Boulevard 27 - Copenhagen