Live from Milan: Grand Danois is an exhibition of work by young Danish designers in Zona Tortona.
Top image: Cartoon easychair by GAM plus FRATESI
Above: The More The Merrier candlestick by Muuto
Above: Orchid Chair by Christian Flindt
Here's some more information from Grand Danois:
--
Grand Danois
NEXT GENERATION DANISH DESIGN
It’s tempting to think that Danish design is all Hans J. Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, mid-century geniuses whose reputations live on after their deaths. But GRAND DANOIS,
a brave new initiative by Henrik Høyer and Mads Arlien-Søborg of media and concept agency Yellow Ducks, aims to change all that.
Above: C Chair by PP Møbler
Rounding up a range of fresh Danish design talent, and showing it in one stunning space during the Milan Furniture Fair, Grand Danois is the show that will put new Danish design on the map.
The idea of Grand Danois came to Mads Arlien Søborg as he returned to Copenhagen from the Salone del Mobile in Milan last year. He had seen a good showing of Swedish work, and in London the previous September he’d visited an impressive exhibition of young Norwegian practitioners. So where were the Danes?
Above: StingRay veneer by Thomas Pedersen
Søborg and Høyer spent the rest of 2007 assembling a roster of real talent. Exhibitors range from the well-established name of Cecilie Manz, known for the elegant Caravaggio lamp for Lightyears, to the recently established Mater, who have sustainability high on their agenda. Dorte Agergaard, a graduate of both graphic and textile design, whose rearrangement of everyday concepts has already had huge critical success, will be there alongside Christian Flindt, who has turned his back on Danish tradition by choosing plastics and fiberglass over wood or metal. Designer makers like Christian Haack Ketelsen will feature; there will be a sprinkling of instant classics such as the Stringray rocking chair by Thomas Pedersen and much more besides.
Above: bespoke textile by Dorte Agergaard Jensen
Grand Danois, which will take place in a 220 metre photographic studio in Zona Tortona, will be a long way from the trade fair world of small booths and white partitions. Furniture and products will be enhanced by a three-dimensional installation by radical fashion designer Henrik Vibskov (himself a graduate of Central St Martins in London) and a site-specific piece by Copenhagen artists City on Fire. Søborg says he wants to show not just how good Danish design can be but evoke some of the optimism, humour and generosity that currently infuse the Denmark’s creative scene.
Above: Ripple Chair by Christian Flindt
The Grand Danois initiative is produced in partnership with the Danish Industry (The Confederation of Danish Industries) and the Association of Danish Woodworking and Furniture Industries. After Milan, the show will travel to other locations, turning up next to art fairs and fashion weeks, it’s participants changed, but its spirit and intention intact.
Exhibitor list:
FurnID, Gam plus Fratesi, Muuto, Mater, Cecilie Manz, Christian Flindt, Design by Us, Dorte Agergaard, Christian Haack Ketelsen, Søren Kjær, Refer + Staer, Thomas Pedersen, Strand+Hvass for Tranekaer Furniture, Verikon and Lise & Hans Isbrand forPP Møbler.
Instituto Italiano de Fotografia
Via Forcella 7 (off Via Tortona), Milan
16 – 21 April 2008.