Incollect Magazine - Issue 4

Issue 4 6 www.incollect.com HAPPENINGS Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980 Through February 5, 2023 Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) For more information visit lacma.org Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980 presents the fascinating story of the extensive design exchanges between the United States and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden beginning in the late 19th century and spanning most of the 20th century. The exchange reached a high point in the 1950s and 60s when Scandinavian designers received widespread international attention for championing natural materials and accessible design, and ambitious campaigns to promote and export Scandinavian design to the United States were launched. The story is told through the display of more than 175 pieces of furniture, industrial design, textiles, ceramics, glass, metalwork, jewelry, and lighting drawn in part from LACMA’s collection as well as other museums and private collections. It is the first major Scandinavian design exhibition in the United States in 40 years, the museum maintains, and an international collaboration between LACMA, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Nationalmuseum Sweden, Stockholm, and Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo. The show throws a spotlight on key individuals, specifically Scandinavian designers who immigrated to the United States, as well as the story of Americans who studied or worked in the Nordic countries. Some of the major design influencers include the Finnish architect Eliel Continues on page 8 Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Glassworks (Finland), Goblets, model KF 486, designed 1968, these examples c. 1970–71, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Decorative Arts and Design Council Fund and partial gift of Marc Treib, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA. Installation photograph, Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, open through February 5, 2023, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA. Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, Inc. (United States), Chair, model 650, designed 1941, this example c. 1947, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Mr. Oliver M. Furth and Mr. Sean Yashar, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA.