Nordic Spirit Symposium

165 Chapel Lane (Samuelson Chapel),Thousand Oaks CA 91360

10 February, 2023

Description

FRIDAY, FEB. 10, 2023 Gala Reception at Scandinavian Center 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Program at Samuelson Chapel. Register 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. Program 7:00 p.m – 9:30 p.m. Function Combined with Inspiration from Nature: Atelier Gulla Jonsdottir's Strain of Modernism. Gulla Jónsdóttir, Atelier Gulla Jonsdottir, West Hollywood, California. Scandinavian design is timeless – it is simple, beautiful, finely crafted, and made with natural materials that appeal on a fundamentally human level. At Atelier Gulla Jonsdottir, there is an inherent Scandinavian undercurrent in its work, driven, above all, by an emphasis on quality and natural materials...From Artek to Vallila: Functionality & Form in Finnish Design. Leslie Anne Anderson, Director of Collections, Exhibitions and Programs, National Nordic Museum, Seattle, Washington.This talk explores the work of Finnish design companies focusing on textiles, fashion, furniture, glass, and ceramics, as well as the individuals who contributed to and guided their creative direction.SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2023 Program at Samuelson Chapel. Register 8:15 Program 9:00 – 5:15 p.m. Scandinavian Design in the United States, 1890-1980. Bobbye Tigerman, Marilyn B. and Calvin B. Gross Curator, Decorative Arts and Design, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Co-curator of Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890-1980. The speakers will discuss the ideas and theme of the museum exhibition, Scandinavian Design in the U.S. with thoughts about questions like: Why was Danish Modern furniture so popular? Did IKEA invent flat-pack. The exhibition examines the design exchanges between the USA Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, and includes a wide range of design media, from iconic Dansk kitchenware to a Volvo. ...From Blue Lace to Axel Salto: Two Centuries of Danish Ceramics. Diya Nagaraj, Curator, Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, Iowa.Danish ceramics have a long and storied history that spans almost 250 years. While Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl might be best known for their Christmas plates, their production has ranged through everything from telegraph insulators to large sculptural pieces. This presentation will explore that story, with particular focus on the Art Nouveau period (1885-1920), a time when Denmark stepped into the international spotlight for their ceramics work.Design, History & Demonstration of a Finnish Kantele. Rebekah Scogin, Ventura, California.Lunch Break at noon. Program begins at 1:30 p.m. Design, History & Demonstration of a Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle. Darren Michaels, Pasadena, California.Scandinavian Modern Design in Norway. Laurann Gilbertson, Chief Curator, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa. Norway’s contributions to the Scandinavian Modern Design movement were many, but the artists and products were not as well known as their Danish, Swedish, and Finnish counterparts. Meet some of the most important designers of the mid-twentieth century and learn about their work in furniture, textiles, silver, glass, ceramics, and enamel.Design, History & Demonstration of a Swedish Nyckleharpa.Torkil Hammer, Ph.D., Newbury Park, California.Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass. Inga Thiesen, Collections Manager, and Erin Stromgren, Exhibition Manager, American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Glass moves. Glass heals. Glass speaks. Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass highlights the breadth and depth of female glass artists who have been underrecognized in the industry. With examples taken from the American Swedish Institute’s impressive glass collection, this talk will explore objects which represent the women who helped shape the popularity of Swedish glass and helped studios like Orrefors and Kosta Boda become household names.Dinner at Lundring Events Center. Social begins 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. For information, email [email protected] In the middle of the 20th century, Danish Modern and, more generally, Scandinavian Modern Design, gained popularity in the United States. This symposium will examine the reasons for this popularity, will delve into differentdesign media for two countries, Finland and Norway, and will treat the long-term history of ceramic and glass design in Denmark and Sweden. The theme of Scandinavian design applied to architecture and interior design willbe addressed in the opening talk Feb. 10 by an Icelandic American architect. The February symposium is in-person. Nordic Spirit Symposium is supported by: Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation that supports Swedish education, culture and arts; andNorway House Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation dedicated to honoring Norwegian seafarers who risked their lives for the Allied cause in World War II. The Foundation carries out its mission by promoting and supporting educational, professional and cultural exchange between Norway and Northern California.For information send email to: [email protected]