Although oceans apart, Japan and Scandinavia share many parallels and similarities when it comes to their combined design heritage – a case confirmed at Stockholm Design Week this year, with a meeting of minds between two Japanese companies and two Danish brands at the exhibition ‘The Archive’. Both regions share a respect for historic craftsmanship and the skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. Yet they often look to each other for inspiration and that contemporary twist that will help bring those carefully honed crafts into the future for a new audience.
From what I’ve noticed this is what marries Japanese and Scandinavian design into a similar, simple aesthetic:
– a considered quietness to their designs, nothing is too ostentatious or shouting for attention
– a less is more approach, prioritising fewer, but better objects
– a piece of furniture has to have a useful function as well as a beautiful form
– while a craft maybe be perfected, there is also the permission to embrace the imperfect; the natural grain of wood or the patina of a leather chair for instance
– there is no need for superfluous details that could blur or disguise the real message of the piece
– inspiration taken from nature – both regions share a connection and respect for their natural surroundings
– an invitation to celebrate the beauty that can be found in our everyday lives, from the way the light falls on an object to how a cup feels in your hands
– local manufacture and the desire to keep the skills of regional craftsmen alive
The Archive: An exhibition celebrating design from Japan and Denmark in one of Stockholm’s most imposing buildings – curated by Hanna Nova Beatrice, styled by Annaleena Leino. Images: Cate St Hill.
The Archive took place in the atmospheric surroundings of the Old National Archive in Stockholm, designed by architect Axel Fredrik Nystrom in 1890. The barely touched backdrop of period details and dark brown paintwork provided the perfectly moody setting for the contemporary design pieces. Let’s get to know the Japanese and Danish brands showcased at The Archive a little better and hear what they have in store for 2020…
Ariake – Founded in 2017, Ariake is fairly new Japanese furniture brand, first presented in Scandinavia at Stockholm Design Week 2018. The name Ariake comes from the nearby Ariake sea, but also means ‘daybreak’ in Japanese. The company was founded by two well-established furniture manufacturers, Legnatec and Hirata Chair, based in Morodomi in Saga prefecture. Ariake has collaborated with the likes of Norm Architects, Anderssen&Voll and Note Design Studio and crafts all its objects in Morodomi.
‘It is our belief that strong working relationships are the foundation of good products. Furniture is made for social situations where people live, work and eat together. The creation of Ariake products were done over intensive workshops in Morodomi where designers and craftsmen did the same – we lived, worked and ate together.’
For 2020, Ariake has unveiled the new Sake side table by Note Design Studio, which features a removable top concealing a storage space inside the structure, as well as the Kata coat stand by Rui Alves and Rin sofa by Gabriel Tan. Norm Architects have two new pieces in the collection: the high-back lounge chair Summit, inspired by classic Scandinavian cabinetmaker chairs, and the Lattice dining table, the solid wooden legs of which evoke the shutters often seen in Japanese architecture.
LE KLINT – LE KLINT has been producing hand-pleated lamps and lampshades since first being founded by Tage Jensen Klint in 1943. The first design, crafted by his father P. V Jensen Klint in 1901, was made to fit a paraffin lamp. Today, LE KLINT’s designs are made in Odense, Denmark, and apprentices need to practice pleating forms for three years before they are introduced to the pleating studio as an official technician. They’re supported by specialist metal workers and wood workers to create beautifully crafted lights that have the royal seal of approval – LE KLINT are purveyors to The Royal Danish Court.
On display at The Archive was the Swirl lamp (above) designed by Øivind Slaatto. Inspired by the form of a snail’s shell, a series of spiral panels twist around the bulb to softly diffuse the light without any unwanted glare. LE KLINT’s Classic pendants also added soft mood lighting to the dark, cosy setting.
2016/Arita – 2016/ was founded with the aim of reviving interest in the history and specialist skills of the porcelain-making region of Arita, Japan. The brand started by inviting 16 international designers to collaborate on a series of contemporary porcelain objects that would showcase the knowledge and expertise of the local craftsmen while appealing to a new, international audience. In doing so, 2016/ hopes that skills of the region, honed over four centuries, will endure and be preserved for the next generation.
For their first exhibition in Scandinavia, 2016/Arita showcased two ranges at The Archive. The Edition series by Scholten&Baijings comprises 27 dishes carefully hand-painted with abstraction interpretations of traditional motifs found in Arita’s archives. On the shelves below you can see some products from 2016/Arita’s Standard series, including everyday kitchen items by BIG-GAME and a vase with a sculptural handle by Leon Ransmeier.
Friends & Founders – I was fairly familiar with Friends & Founders before, having first met them at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2017 then at London Design Festival last year. Founded in 2013 by Ida Linea and Rasmus Hildebrand, Friends & Founders create contemporary, minimalist designs that take inspiration from art and architecture. Their furniture is designed by Ida Linea and manufactured locally in Scandinavia where possible, or otherwise in Europe.
Friends & Founders designs take influence from the founder’s Scandinavian heritage and the idea of surrounding oneself with fewer, but better things. ‘We want people to understand that it’s worth investing in innovative, contemporary furniture where multi-functions are built in, thinking about how to expand the use of the product. Also where the manufacturer has thought about sustainability in designing and producing objects that will last,’ they say.
At The Archive, Friends & Founders exhibited some of the highlights from their collection, including the new black and white Novel armchair, the rounded Saw table and one of their first designs and most popular, the curved La Pipe chair.
I left the exhibition feeling completely inspired and ready for my three-week trip (and honeymoon) to Japan in April. I can’t wait to learn more about Japanese design and all the parallels with Scandinavian design that I’m so passionate about.
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