MONO – The Cabinetmakers’ Exhibition 2018

Each year the Snedkernes Cabinetmakers exhibition showcase experimental pieces of furniture. The design brief for this year’s cabinetmakers’ exhibition was MONO. Personal interpretations of one material, simple, monochrome, 90 x90 cm (maximum) piece. To be made in a single colour. Either natural colour of the wood used or one of the rich pigment hues of the Thorvaldsens Museum, where this years cabinetmakers exhibition is being held.

“The Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition (SE) is a platform for the development and exposure of contemporary and experimental Danish furniture design. SE is a non-commercial association of 81 furniture manufacturers and designers who engage in an annual collaboration to create a new piece of furniture based on the theme announced by the board.

Each year, new designers are represented, as anyone from Denmark or abroad can apply to take part in the annual exhibition as a guest designer – a status that can be transformed into a full membership after two years.
SE has exhibited outside Denmark in Tokyo, London and Stockholm in recent years, just as manufacturers from Denmark and abroad have frequently hand- picked projects from SE in order to put them into production.” – quoted text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018.

The Thorvaldsens Museum is the first public museum in Denmark. Opened in 1848 and where you can see a large collection of works by sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). This is definitely a monumental setting for the Mono cabinetmakers’ exhibition. The pieces are presented throughout the museum. With this space being so impressive and sculptures imposing I had worried that the pieces would look insignificant. Instead they appeared harmonious with the museum. In some cases the juxtaposition of styles compliments both furniture piece and sculpture. The monochrome theme highlighted the details of the craftsmanship and form of the pieces.

Interestingly the exhibitors presented furniture ranging from chairs, benches, storage solutions and conceptual pieces. Each designer had their piece made by a manufacturer. Some of which I know, others I’ve been excited to discover. It’s also fascinating to discover how designers explore new depths of product design and what they are experimenting with. Also encouraging to see established manufacturers take part in this conceptual exhibition.

Above – Vagn. Designed by Dögg Guómundsdóttir/ Dögg design Studio. Manufacturer, Mathias Juul Overvad.

“The arched ceilings from Greek and Roman antiquity and the ancient use of wooden wheels for wagons and carriages come together here in the simple, detailed hand-crafted piece, Vagn, inspired by Bindesbøll and Thorvaldsen’s work.

On his homecoming after 40 years in Italy, Thorvaldsen was celebrated and pulled through the streets of Copenhagen on a carriage where the horses had been unhitched: the people wanted to pull themselves to celebrate this world-renowned sculptor.his wooden wheeled trolley pays homage to the days when Thorvaldsen was revered and pampered like a superstar by neoclassicism, while the groundbreaking young architect Bindesbøll designed and converted the former royal carriage depot to create the first public
art museum in Denmark.” – text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018

Above – Table and Chair. Designed by Carlo Volf MAA. Manufacturered by Hæstrup Træindustri Aps

“New Nordic dining table in organic materials for organic food.” text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018

Above detail of cabinet pillar – designed by Anne Brandhøj. Manufactured by Andrea Stokholm.

Above -Goldilocks. Designed by Monique Engelund & Mathilde Witt Mølholm. Manufacturer, Sune Witt Skovhus.

Above – Introvert Position. Designed by Andreas Lund. Manufactured by Toke Overgaard.

Above – Francis. Designed by Carlander Sangkoyo. Manufacturer, Skagerak.

“With inspiration from Thorvaldsen’s sculpture of Pope Pius VII seated on an ornamented and ceremonious throne (1824), Francis is the throne for today’s world. A powerful piece of furniture, juxtaposing contemporary, high-value aluminium with distilled, functional design and a graphic expression; a seat equally fit for popes and office workers.” text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018.

Above – Plinth. Designed by Michael Hauris Lysemose & Nicolai de Gier. Manufactured by Ampio.

Above -Beside. Designed by Line Depping. Manufacturer, Skagerak.

“Beside is a small side table with practical storage space in a basket underneath the table top. With its narrow oblong form it is easy to fit in next to the sofa or armchair without taking up much room.” – text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018.

above Encircle. Designed by Troels Grum – Schwensen. Manufactured by Malte Gormsen.

‘Encircle is the throne constructed abound two vertical cones. Seventeen identical elements make up the construction encircle the sitter and question how many – or how few – identical elements it takes to create a monolithic unified form. The chair is technically demanding, not least in the sophisticated triangular joint under the seat, where the tapered slats come together in one precise point. The chair appears most monolithic when seen from the back, appealing to the imagination by not resembling a chair.” – text by Charlotte Jul for Snedkerns Efterårsudstilling 2018.

Inspiration in art, design and product development is so important to me and within the industry I work in. I strongly recommend following Snedkernes for future exhibitions and details on the designers and manufacturers.

H x