Designer and curator Kirsten Visdal has filled a former smoking room at the Musée d’Orsay Paris with norwegian FurnitureObjects and sculptures.
For just three days, Visdal transformed Le Fumoir – a room normally closed to the public – into a showcase for Norwegian artists, designers and brands.
The exhibition, At Hagem/Chez Soi, included the work of contemporary designers Ali Shah Galefoss And Andreas AngevikAs well as classics like Terje Ekström and Hans Brattrud.
This project was led by design and architecture norway (DOGA), an Oslo-based design organization and gallery known for staging Norwegian presence Exhibitions in Milan.
According to Cecilie Molver Jorgensen of DOGA, the aim was to highlight the distinctive qualities of Norwegian design, in contrast to other Nordic countries.
“It was a great opportunity to showcase Norwegian design in a completely new way and create something unexpected,” he told Dezeen.
He adds, “Normally Norwegian design is put into the same category as Scandinavian design – blonde, white, minimalist, functional – but Le Fumoir gave us the opportunity to show that it is much more than that.”
“It can be eclectic, playful, colorful, soft, shapely and maximalist.”
Le Faumoir was originally part of a hotel in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, which occupied the building in the early 20th century before being converted into a museum.
Visdal created playful contrasts with the room’s elaborate decor, which included ornate wood wall paneling, heavy curtains, patterned red wallpaper, and a large patterned Persian rug.
In one arrangement, a sandblasted aluminum table from Galefoss sits alongside the designers’ gridded steel platform chairs Andreas Angevik And jonas stokewhich is produced Westray,
Behind this, experimental ceramics by the artist were displayed on a classic sideboard Eyvind Soli And Aluminum lamp from the manufacturer Hydro,
In front of the original fireplace, the Gem sofa from contemporary furniture brand Northern sits adjacent 1960s Scandia chairs by BratrudManufactured by heritage brand FjordFiesta.
Other highlights include Ekstrom’s shapely 1980s extreme chairCreated by Verrier, who sits in front of a dining table topped with the manufacturer’s porcelain dishes.
“We wanted to create unexpected combinations and show that Norwegian design is a diverse mix of classic mid-century and contemporary,” Jorgensen said.
“The contrast between the stark beauty of Nordic craftsmanship and the grandeur of this iconic museum creates a unique dialogue that shows how simplicity can speak volumes in the most remarkable settings,” Vissdal said.
The exhibition also included pieces from the new Norwegian brand Maitre, launching in 2024.
Other exhibitors include reclining chair manufacturer Stressless, doormat brand Hemat, textile company Fram Oslo and workplace furniture manufacturers. flock,
The color palette includes shades of red, burgundy, pink and light brown.
“The red palette was influenced by the room itself,” Jorgensen said.
“We mixed burgundy and pink with plum and berry, and finally added fire hydrant-red to the stage chairs. And of course, a little bit of blonde wood to serve as an accent rather than a base.”
photography is by Studio Dreyer+Hensley,
Et Hagem/Chez Soi ran from 22 to 24 November at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Look Dezeen Event Guide For more architecture and design events around the world.
