100% Norway exhibition to showcase the country's designers and manufacturers in London
London Design Festival 2015: an exhibition of Norwegian design will return to the London Design Festival in September, with a new focus on the country's manufacturing industry (+ slideshow).
Now is its 12th year, the annual showcase of Norwegian product, furniture and homeware design will take place as part of the Tent London exhibition.
100% Norway is set to include products and prototypes from 33 of the country's strongest young designers and studios, a selection of Norwegian mid-century furniture pieces, and a presentation of Norway's manufacturing capabilities.
The exhibition for the 2015 edition focuses not only on where the designers are based, as in previous years, but also where the products have been made.
Every product in the exhibition – curated by Benedicte Sunde of DogA and Peppe Trulsen of Norwegian Icons – is designed and manufactured within the country's borders.
Examples of products due to go on show include Ingrid Aspen's Bottoms Up glasses, which incorporate an upturned vessel into the stem that can be used for a nightcap when the wine is finished.
Osloform, a collective of five young Norwegian designers, will be sharing a collection of home accessories made from brass and Valchromat – wood-fibre panels impregnated with dye and bonded using resin that are designed to retain their colour regardless of chips and scratches.
Their range includes the Impeller set of coasters featuring a geometric brass-laminate pattern inspired by the shape of Norwegian hydropower stations, the Sweep wall or table clock that references classic Bauhaus wristwatches, and the Serpentine minimal stereo system.
The lollipop-stick-inspired Lolly stackable stool or side table by Gridy uses craft and joinery techniques.
In contrast, the design duo's Pan serving dish is made using computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting technology from materials left over in kitchen manufacture. It includes a lid that can also be used as a chopping board, made from solid surface material Corian.
These and 26 other collections from contemporary designers will be showcased alongside ready-to-market products and new releases of Norwegian mid-century designs.
Presenting brands include FjordFiesta, Northern Lighting, Slåke and Utopia Workshop by Norwegian Icons – an organisation established to raise awareness of Norway's contribution to Scandinavian design.
In a third section of the show, five Norwegian manufacturers will share prototypes and processes that highlight Norway's capabilities in each of five specific materials.
Furniture makers Tonning & Stryn will focus on wood and weaving mill Mandal Veveri will show woollen products and processes. Magnor Glassverk will look at glass, family-owned Lundhs will explore stone, and finally wallpaper makers Biri Tapet will present straw.
100% Norway is a collaboration between The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DogA), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Norwegian Icons.
The event will take place at east London's Truman Brewery from 24 to 27 September during this year's London Design Festival.
Other installations announced for LDF 2015 include an electricity pylon turned on its head and a courtyard filled with mirrors.
Norwegian design is sometimes overshadowed by the more established reputations of neighbouring Scandinavian nations. However it gained new attention last year when the country's new banknotes with graphics by Snøhetta were nominated for a 2015 Design of the Year award, and its passports were also given a minimal makeover.