See the clock that knits, the tablecloth that becomes a new item whenever you spill, and popular furniture classics such as Peter Opsvik’s balance chairs. Each year, the exhibition 100% Norway showcases what Norwegian design is all about. Now you can see the image Norway markets abroad at DogA.
Over the last 7 years, 100% Norway has been the Norwegian showcase during the London Design Festival. The exhibition displays the great successes from the Norwegian furniture manufacturers and provides new design talents with an opportunity. Here you can see furniture, lamps, pottery, glass, wallpapers and textiles.
“This year we were so happy to see that the standard of work submitted for inclusion in the show was higher than ever,” says Henrietta Thompson, one of the curators for the exhibition. She is the former editor of the design magazine Blueprint and a writer for Wallpaper, Monocle and The Guardian.
During the exhibition at DogA this winter, 24 products are presented. They are handy everyday products, like the chair we sit in, the cup we drink from or the lamp that brightens up the room. Every item is designed with consideration for their functional aspect as well as the experience of using them.
Keeping Track of Time with Norwegian Design
I addition to being functional, some of the products are both subtle and amusing.
One of them is Siren Elise Wilhelmsen’s “365 – a Knitting Clock”. Rather than displaying time with figures, the clock keeps track of seconds and minutes through knitted stitches. For every half hour, a new mask is knitted. By doing that, the constant movement gives time a concrete, physical result: Over a year, the clock knits a two meter long scarf.
Time is also a factor for textile designer Kristine Bjaadal’s award-winning tablecloth “Underfull”. It is made from a fabric that is imprinted by the user. Rather than running for a rag and the salt box whenever a glass tips over, you can sit back and enjoy the pattern the stain creates on the tablecloth. In this way, the tablecloth preserves reminiscences and proves that time passes.
Furniture designer Peter Opsvik’s classic balance chair “Variable” embodies that, just like time, man moves continuously. The chair was designed in 1979 and is just as relevant today. Because of the timeless design, and the recognition of the human body’s constant need for repositioning, manufacturer Variér has a growing demand and markets the chair all over the world.
Opinions about Norwegian Design
The above examples demonstrate some of the diversity of the exhibition. The selection of exhibits is the result of a thorough process. Nevertheless, a selection that is elevated by the official Norway and presented on the international design arena creates opinions. DogA hopes to contribute to a debate about the international profiling of Norwegian design, and during this exhibition, invites the visitors to be 100% honest about 100% Norway.
The 100% Norway Producers and Designers
Aksel Hansson
Alex Hellum (prototype)
Cathrine Maske
Christoffer Angell (prototype)
Daniel Rybakken (prototype)
Fjordfiesta - Andreas Engesvik og Hans Brattrud
Fora Form - Tveit & Tornøe og Sven Ivar Dysthe
Hallgeir Homstvedt (prototype)
Hive
HÅG - Peter Opsvik
Klart Glass - Kari Håkonsen & Vidar Koksvik
Kristine Bjaadal (prototype)
LK Hjelle - Norway Says, Hallgeir Homstvedt, Anderssen & Voll
Northern Lighting - Hareide Designmill, Tveit & Tornøe, Frost Produkt og Birger Dahl
Røros Tweed - Anderssen & Voll
Scandinavian Surface
Scusi
Simen Aarseth (prototype)
Siren Wilhelmsen (prototype)
Stryn Møbelindustri - Olav Eldøy
VAD, Petter Knudsen & Steinar Hindenes
Variér, Peter Opsvik, Olav Eldøy, Terje Ekstrøm
Wik & Walsøe
Øyvind Wyller & Truls Schia (prototype)
Facts
If you have any question about the exhibition, contact
Benedicte Sunde at DogA.