There’s been a change of government in Norway since last year’s London Design Festival, and so 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} Norway at Tent London, which was once a government sponsored affair, has now been taken over by Bergen Academy of Art and Design, and I’m so glad they stepped in – I really believe in the importance of nurturing upcoming creative talent, and it’s something the Bergen Academy does incredibly well. With a fraction of the budget, they pulled off a stunning show representing 62 new designers. “The last months, weeks and days have been crazy: now I’m overwhelmed that the exhibition has been so well received!” said Professor Dave Vikøren on opening night. Bravo!
Now to tell you about some of those young designers – the top image is Stix by Torsteinsen Design. “In nature nothing is constructed, yet all things are perfect,” said the designers. “A simple pile of sticks, intertwined and suspended in haphazard chaos, can come together to form a sculpture of unexpected beauty. A modest puddle of rain water, offering a sudden glimpse of the sky, can lift the soul.”
The wall-mounted candleholders above are Peacock by Caroline Olsson, a tribute to Hans J Wegner’s Peacock Chair. Its folded brass shape creates reflections and shadows from the flickering candlelight.
Angell, Wyller & Aarseth‘s Saddle Chair is made from a wooden frame and leather cushions, with pockets that hang over the arms providing somewhere to tuck television remote controls, magazines and tablets. The design studio comprises Christoffer Angell, Øyvind Wyller and Simen Aarseth.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Runa Klock‘s triangular chopping boards are designed to be stored upright creating a mountain range in your kitchen, the lines of the ash adding contour and shape to the peaks.
Ever since Pixar animated an Anglepoise lamp, lights have taken on a life of their own, and Boo by Hedda Torgersen is no exception. The adjustable ‘legs’ are made from ash and the ‘head’ from porcelain or Corian.
Aud Julie Befring‘s Cool With Wool stools have felted wool balls held in place by grooves milled into the seat, so that they can be endlessly personalised and replaced. The designer’s hope is that by creating a connection with the user, the product will have a longer lifespan.
Sting by the same designers features oversized woollen double cross-stitches in the lid of a birchwood storage box, transforming it into a comfortable seat.
More multi-functional furniture from Noidoi with Pulse, a daybed with a mattress that folds up to reveal a detachable tray covering a magazine rack underneath, that responds to contemporary multi-purpose living spaces.
I absolutely adore Andreas Engesvik‘s Bunad Blankets, inspired by traditional Norwegian dress, which dates back to the 18th century and is still worn for weddings, folk dances and on Norway Day on 17 May. (And I’m delighted to say that 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} Norway have donated one of these gorgeous blankets to the confessions of a design geek annual Christmas charity auction, so keep your eyes peeled for that!)
And finally, Camilla Akersveen‘s Mindful Eating collection is designed to enhance the experience of eating and encourage people to be more present at their meals – insulated bowls enable the user to wrap their hands around the bowl and feel its warmth without getting burnt.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: home london, LDF14
- out and about :: tent london, LDF14
- out and about :: guide to the london design festival 2014
- out and about :: usf bergen
