On view September 18, 2011 thru January 29, 2012
17 Swedish Designers was produced Svensk Form, the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. This exhibition is made possible at ASHM by the generosity of the museum’s supporters including the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation; Philadelphia Cultural Fund; Midsommarklubben; ASHM Auxiliary; Sunoco, Inc. Philadelphia Refinery; and an anonymous foundation.Since the 1950s, Scandinavian design has been celebrated throughout the world for pioneering functionalism, streamlined aesthetics, and relative affordability. Historically, Swedish design has been a largely male-dominated realm. However, in recent years an increasing number of women choosing the design profession have brought greater diversity to the field.
Early in their careers, all seventeen participating designers exhibited at Gallery Pascale, Stockholm's first gallery devoted exclusively to design. This exhibition—based on gallery founder Pascale Cottard-Olsson’s book, 17 Swedish Designers—displays their recent work. Talented women of the same generation, they share a common worldview, displaying an impressive versatility, a fearless desire to experiment, as well as determination and dedication in turning visions into reality. The exhibition consists of three to ten products from each of the seventeen designers, ranging from small items, such as porcelain and glass to larger ones such as textiles and furniture.
Manager of the exhibit's US tour, Anna Blomdahl, will attend the opening on September 18th from 4:30-6pm. Ms. Blomdahl also works for Svensk Form (Sweden's Society of Crafts and Design). With a degree in business and journalism, she has a deep interest and knowledge of Swedish design, and has worked for several years to promote it in the international market.
Fact and Fiction: Getting to Know Sweden's Authors
In a small exhibition located in the Kalm-Seaborg Gallery on the second floor, ASHM examines Swedish authors whose works have leaped across culture lines to impact the American literary landscape. From Carl Linnaeus’s writings about scientific taxonomy in the 1700s to the socio-political themes explored by crime novelist Stieg Larsson in the 21st century, this “mini” exhibit features objects and images that illuminate the life and times of some of Sweden’s best-known authors.
A Common Thread: Tradition and Trend in Swedish Textiles
Whether they are created for function or fashion, Swedish textiles are well-crafted, colorful, and full of detail. A Common Thread uses the museum’s collection to explore the themes of technique, style and material employed to create Swedish clothes, weavings, embroidery, and other handiwork. The exhibition looks at the ways in which Swedish textiles communicate class, gender, cultural identity and social trends. Highlights from the collection include examples of Saami outerwear, Swedish provincial costumes, household linens, decorative wall hangings, tools and modern examples of Swedish style. A hands-on table with wool, linen, silk, leather and fur, is available for visitors to handle and explore textile materials on their own.
Ironworks by Albert Paley, March 11 through June 24, 2012
To view more information about past exhibitions at ASHM click here>>