Author(s): Ingrid Sommar

Design

The designs of the Nordic nations - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - are today taken for granted, so familiar are we with the blonde wood, cool, airy spaces and clean design values of the north. However, during the first wave of Scandinavian design in the mid-twentieth century, many of the concepts produced were considered revolutionary, pushing natural materials to their limits and producing well-designed items that were aimed at society as a whole rather than a select few. Since the beginning of the 1990s a new generation of Scandinavian designers has appeared to international acclaim, and once again pushed the boundaries of modern design and innovation. Classic designs such as Arne Jacobsen's "Ant Chair" have been reinterpreted, while architects such as Snohetta and 3 X Nielsen have made bold statements in their structures. Even cultural icons such as the Icelandic singer Bjork have ensured international focus is firmly on the north.
With over 300 images, illustrating every aspect of Nordic lifestyle from fashion to food, "Scandinavian Design" is a stunning and comprehensive overview of one of the great genres of modern design and a group of nations whose approach to everyday living has had an immense influence on contemporary lifestyle.