Danish Modern: Design for Living
Davenport, Iowa (March 23, 2015) - Iconic examples of 20th century furniture design will be coming to the Figge Art Museum beginning Friday with the exhibition Danish Modern: Design for Living. Organized by the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa, Danish Modern brings together a wonderful selection of the most influential pieces of post-war furniture design.
As evidenced by stylish set designs of the popular AMC series Mad Men, Danish furniture design played a major role in American interior décor during the 1950s and '60s, where it was perfectly at home in the glass and steel skyscrapers of Manhattan and the ubiquitous pastel painted, single-level ranch homes of suburbia.
Dozens of vintage pieces from the period by designers such as Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Niels Otto Møller, Borge Mogensen and Hans Wegner will be on view. Wegner is featured with his most popular designs including the Round Chair, later known simply as "the Chair" after it gained wide popularity in televised presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
In addition, light fixtures, toys, tablewares and serving pieces will be included.
Wynne Schafer, a professional interior designer and primary consultant for the exhibition's layout, is thrilled for this exhibition to be featured at the Figge. "Danish design is a highly regarded style expressing beautiful forms adapted for modern day needs," she explained. "The designs are based on simplified historical forms and nature using high quality production and efficient use of materials. These elegant products are timeless in style and bring beauty to our everyday lives."
Danish Modern: Design for Living reminds us of how intertwined Danish design and our daily lives were in the post-war era, and invites us to look ahead by looking back at some of the most forward-thinking designs of the time.
This exhibition is sponsored by Schafer Interiors and will be on view in the Katz Gallery this Saturday, March 28 - Sunday, June 21, 2015.
COMPANION EVENTS:
Opening Reception, Talk and Tour
Thursday, April 2
5:30 p.m. Opening Reception (members only)
7 p.m. Exhibition Talk (open to public)
Museum of Danish America Executive Director Dr. John Mark Nielsen will discuss Danish design as it's lived in Denmark. Following the talk, Tova Brandt, Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture, will give a tour of the exhibition.
Gallery Talk
Thursday, April 30
7 p.m. Danish Modern Talk
Join Wynne Schafer for a gallery talk about the exhibition. Schafer, a professional interior designer, is the primary consultant for the exhibition's layout and installation and has taught interior design and decorative art history for 30 years at Scott Community College.
Docent-led Tours
1:30 p.m. Sundays, April 12, 19
1:30 p.m. Saturdays, April 18, 25
About the Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members, and free to all on Thursdayevenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
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