DANSK FORM OG MILJØ
Arne Karlsen [redaktion]
Arne Karlsen [redaktion]: DANSK FORM OG MILJØ. Copenhagen: Liljevalchs Konsthall, 1959. First edition. Text in Danish. Octavo. Plain white card covers. Photo illustrated dust jacket attached as published. 84 pp. 50 black and white photographs. Fore edge worn, wrappers rubbed, and spine rough. . Interior unmarked and very clean. Out-of-print. A good copy.
5.25 x 8.25 soft cover book with 84 pages and 50 black-and-white photographs. Published in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name: Udstillingen er åben 9. Maj – 14. Juni 1959. Includes introductory pieces by Gotthard Johansson and Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert. There is also a list of artists and designers included in the exhibit along with their addresses circa 1959.
Includes work by Hans J. Wegner, Kay Bojesen, Kaare Klint, Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder, Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen, Per Linneman-Schmidt, Erik Reiff, Nils Kähler, Richard Kjærgaard, A/S Bing & Grøndahl, Gertrud Vasegaard, Karl Gustav Hansen, Hans Hansen Sølvsmedie, Henning Koppel, Georg Jensen, Vagn Åge Hemmingsen, Frantz Hingelberg, Bent Knudsen, Anni & Bent Knudsen, Aage Helbig Hansen, Hans Bunde, Magnus Stephensen, Arne Jacobsen, A. Michelsen, Erik Herløw, Universal Steel Company, Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Arne Poulsen, Vilhelm Wohlert, Tove og Edvard Kindt-Larsen, Gustav Bertelsen, Børge Mogensen, F. D. B. Møbler, A. P. Stolen, Andr. Tuck, Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert, P. Jeppensens Møobelfabrik, Ejnar Larsen and A. Bender, Næstved Møbelfabrik, Peter Hvidt and O. Mølgaard-Nielsen, Søborg Møbelfabrik, A/S Ry Møbler, Grethe Meyerog Børge Mogensen, C. Danel, Fritz Hansens Eft. A/S, Peter Hjorth and Arne Karlsen, Interna, Erok Herløw and Tormond Olesen, A/S Lysberg, Ruth Christensen, Cotil, Erik Ole Jørgensen, L. F. Foght, John becker, Den Blaa Fabrik, Brdr. Volkerts Fabriker A/S, Jørn Utzon, A/S Rosenborggade, Kristioan Vedel, Torben Ørskov & Co., Kås Claesson and Peter Bodum A/S among many others.
In 1954 the four Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland arranged what proved to be the most important marketing effort ever for Scandinavian design—the monumental exhibition Design in Scandinavia. From 1954 to 1957 Design in Scandinavia toured the United States and Canada. The exhibition was presented in 27 cities, and it was a huge success, initiated by The Danish Society of Arts and Crafts and its sister organizations in the other participating countries.
Based on the success the four countries established what they called the Scandinavian Design Cavalcade, which had a lot of US press coverage as well. In that connection the July 1959 issue of House Beautiful was centered around The Scandinavian Look in U.S. Homes, and it was Denmark and Danish Design in particular that the magazine focussed on. Besides the editorial pages, the numerous ads illustrates that Danish modern furniture was increasingly gaining a stronghold among certain groups of American consumers.
Importers and retail chains like John Stuart Inc., George Tanier, Raynor and Dunbar etc. now sold Danish modern furniture in the US, and by now it was not only hand crafted furniture from the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibitions but also pieces from industrial furniture producers like Fritz Hansen, Søborg Møbelfabrik, Fredericia Furniture and many others. From the end of the 1950s Danish Department stores and other retailers produced comprehensive brochures and booklets in English with prices in US Dollars presenting Danish Design to American and other tourists.
Without exception, these stores all presented the narrative of Danish modern. “Denmark is known all over the world for its exquisite home furnishing, which are characterized by their outstanding design and superb craftsmanship” the department store Magasin claimed in its brochure “Danish Design.”