When it comes to Scandinavian design, Norway is too often the overlooked middle child, vying for attention against its Nordic siblings Sweden and Denmark. But the Land of the Midnight Sun is set to have its moment in the spotlight, as Tent London gears up to host the next edition of 100% Norway, opening next week during the London Design Festival.
Now in its twelfth year, 100% Norway is boasting its strongest line-up to date, with 33 of the country’s finest designers presenting their products and prototypes at the Old Truman Brewery. This year’s endeavour is collaboration between The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DogA), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Norwegian Icons. And everything on show is truly 100% Norwegian to boot – both designed and manufactured within the country’s borders.
100% Norway regular Hallgeir Homstvedt has teamed up with his graphic designer sister, Hege Homstvedt, to create a small but perfectly formed collection of bold bookends. Entitled 'Fauna', each piece is a minimalistic tribute to a native Norwegian animal (fox, puffin, hedgehog and bullfinch) and is crafted from Nordic rock.
Oslo-based designer Kristine Bjaadal is exhibiting a duet of collections of vessels (‘Hegne’, turned ash or walnut with a ceramic lid; and ‘August’, coloured porcelain with solid oak/ash lids), while design collective Trefjøla is putting a contemporary spin on a traditional kitchen utensil, dishing up a bold, patterned collection of cutting boards made from local reclaimed wood.
It’s not just a Norway-centric affair, as designers set their sights beyond their homeland for inspiration. Booted and suited Fimbul (whose attire was less design studio and more law firm when we met them recently in Oslo) pay a fitting tribute to London and British leather craft, with the elegant ‘Canary Wharf’ horsehair and walnut shoe brush.
Imke Tschentke, meanwhile, has looked even further afield for inspiration. Her 'Krakk2’ furniture collection is the result of a two-month research stint in Ulan Bator, where she immersed herself in the often-cramped Mongolian homes. To wit, she’s devised a multi-purpose, space saving storage and seating system, which this year has been expanded to include a bench version.
And Kneip is looking upwards with its meteorology-inspired collection, ‘Weather’, and sculpture series ‘Pat Volume 1’. Other projects to look out for include those by recent Wallpaper* Handmade collaborators StokkeAustad, Ralston & Bau, Sverre Uhnger and Thomas Jenkins.
Helping to wash down all this new Nordic design, Oslo’s historic Fuglen bar will be on hand for coffee and cocktails. Here’s to the Northern Lights shining in London.
The show is boasting its strongest line-up to date, with 33 of the country’s finest designers presenting their products and prototypes at the Old Truman Brewery. Pictured: 'As Long As You Like' table by Sverre Uhnger and Thomas Jenkins
Everything on show is truly 100% Norwegian to boot – both designed and manufactured within the country’s borders, such as Andreas Bergsaker's 'Piedistallo' lamp (pictured right).
100% Norway regular Hallgeir Homstvedt has teamed up with his graphic designer sister, Hege Homstvedt, to create a small but perfectly formed collection of bold bookends. Entitled ‘Fauna’, each piece is a minimalistic tribute to a native Norwegian animal (bullfinch, fox, puffin, and hedgehog) and is crafted from Nordic rock
Fimbul pays tribute to London and British leather craft, with the elegant, limited edition ‘Canary Wharf’ horsehair and walnut shoe brush
Debuting at 100% is StokkeAustad's traditional writing desk, 'Secretaire'. Nodding to art deco, the flame birch desk is finished in a high-gloss lacquer, and contains a felt interior that can be folded away.
Left: 'Pendini' ceiling lights and 'Birch & Brass o'clock'; Right: 'Blossom' vanity set, all by Andreas Bergsaker
Left: Imke Tschentke's space-saving ‘Krakk2’ storage and seating system is the result of a two-month research stint in Ulan Bator, where she immersed herself in the often-cramped Mongolian homes. Right: Osloform is exhibiting 'Sweep', a silent clock inspired by classic Bauhaus wristwatches
Kneip is looking upwards with its sculpture series, ‘Pat Volume 1’ (pictured) and ‘Weather’. 'Pat Volume 1' explores various techniques through coloured steel, with forest-inspired shapes
Oslo-based designer Kristine Bjaadal is exhibiting a duet of collections of vessels: ‘Hegne’ (pictured), made from turned ash or walnut with a ceramic lid; and ‘August’, coloured porcelain containers with solid oak/ash lids
This year’s endeavour is collaboration between The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DogA), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Norwegian Icons.
Left: 'The Pathics', by design duo Birgitta Ralston and Alexandre Bau, was created in collaboration with ceramics artis Cecilie Haaland. Right: 'The Hoff', by Kiyoshi Yamamoto and Morten Jonas
INFORMATION
100% Norway runs from 24 until 27 September 2015. For tickets to Tent London, click here
ADDRESS
Tent London
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL
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