Past and Future: Nordic Design History Reassessed
26.10 - 27.10

Colorful paintings with abstract patterns and animal motifs, scattered around an exhibition room. One person walks in front of the paintings, while two other people stand behind two paintings.

The National Museum of Norway is hosting The Nordic Forum for Design History’s 40th Anniversary Symposium between 26.10.-27.10.

The symposium presents new international research and current concepts of Nordic design histories. Speakers from all the Nordic countries will contribute with talks grouped according to the following themes: Material Approaches, ’Early Modern’ Perspectives, Design and Mediation Processes, Fashion Histories and Modernism Inside Out. These presentations are the result of an earlier Open Call for Papers.

Included on the program: 

Designing a Production: An Inquiry into how Holmegaard Glasswork’s Designs Impacted its Production 26.10. 

Moderator: Dr Leena Svinhufvud
Participants: Joachim Allouche, PhD Candidate, University of Southern Denmark, Kolding
Time: 10:50-11:10
Discussion: 11:10-11:20
Theme 1: Material Approaches

Standard Homes with Handsewn Tea Cosies – Artek Model Interiors on Display within the Modern Dwelling Debate of 1936 Finland 26.10.

Speaker: Daniele Burlando, PhD Candidate, University of Helsinki
Time: 16:00-16:20
Discussion: 16:20-16:30
Theme 2: ‘Early Modern’ Perspectives

The Nokia Design Archive – Exploring the Design of Technological and Digital Realities  27.10.

Speaker: Dr Kaisu Savola, Aalto University
Time: 11:00-11:20
Theme 3: Design and Mediation Processes

Photographs without Chairs: Finnish Design at the Triennale di Milano, 1951, Revisited 27.10.

Speaker: Dr Maija Mäkikalli, University of Turku
Time: 11:50-12:10
Discussion: 12:10-12:20
Theme 3: Design and Mediation Processes

The True Stripes of Scandinavian Unisex: Retracing Similarities and Differences of three Striped Collections 27.10.

Speaker: Anna Parviainen, PhD Candidate, University of Helsinki
Time: 13:35-13:55
Discussion: 13:55-14:05
Theme 4: Fashion Histories

Check The National Museum’s webpage for more information about the Symposium’s full programme and ticket options.

The Nordic Forum for Design History’s 40th Anniversary Symposiums is supported by The Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute (FINNO).

Image: I Call It Art (2022), The National Museum of Norway. Photograph: Iwan Baan.