Together with Korean craft and design at Culture Station Seoul 284 until December 11
<Fritz Hansen 150th Anniversary Exhibition – Timeless Beauty>
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter the Ministry) and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (hereinafter KCDF), in collaboration with the world-renowned living brand Fritz Hansen, are holding <Fritz Hansen 150th Anniversary Exhibition – Shaping the Extraordinary, Timeless Beauty> at Culture Station Seoul 284 through December 11. Following exhibitions in Japan and Denmark, this Korean edition carries on the meaning of ‘timeless beauty’ against the backdrop of Culture Station Seoul 284, a key stage in Korea’s modern and contemporary history.
The Timeless Beauty of Korean Craft and Design: <Korea Project>
<Fritz Hansen 150th Anniversary Exhibition – Shaping the Extraordinary, Timeless Beauty>, held in Korea, is co-organized by KCDF, which oversees the promotion of Korea’s traditional culture and public design. Unlike previous exhibitions that showcased only Fritz Hansen products, this one is all the more meaningful in that it presents Korean craft and design alongside Fritz Hansen’s major collections.
Four intangible cultural heritage craft masters and three designers, selected by KCDF and Fritz Hansen after numerous discussions, took part in the <Korea Project> specially conceived for this exhibition. Through the <Korea Project>, visitors experience Korea’s outstanding craft and design anew, while Fritz Hansen more broadly proposes and shares with audiences its unique perspective on furniture and history, design and craft.
▲Seo Shin-jung (Chaesangjang, National Intangible Cultural Heritage) presented a new aesthetic by adding works made of finely split, woven bamboo to the PK65™ table and PK24™ chaise longue, which carry on the tradition of Scandinavian craftsmanship. ▲Deep indigo cotton dyed by Jeong Gwan-chae (Yeomsaekjang, National Intangible Cultural Heritage) with Korean indigo wraps the EGG™ chair, Arne Jacobsen’s masterpiece, and ▲Choi Jeong-in (Jasujang, Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage) embroidered a chochungdo (painting of plants and insects) onto the organic curved surface of the SWAN™ chair. On the design icons SERIES 7™, LILY™, GRAND PRIX™, and ANT™, as well as the PK0 A™ chair launched to mark Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary, ▲Jeong Su-hwa (Chiljang, National Intangible Cultural Heritage) showcased a range of high-level ottchil (lacquer) and najeon (mother-of-pearl inlay) techniques, completing a special collection for Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary exhibition in Korea.
In addition, three Korean designers presented a variety of products that offer a refined interpretation of Fritz Hansen’s beauty. ▲Le Dong-il of Studio Unravel, who moves across disciplines with a delicate aesthetic sensibility, proposes lighting; ▲Choi Hyung-moon of Million Roses, who explores materials and structure at the intersection of craft and design, proposes vases; and ▲Lee Suk-woo of SWNA, an industrial designer at the forefront of his field who pursues intuitive design, proposes tableware.
Presenting 150 Years of Fritz Hansen’s Design History
In the central hall of Culture Station Seoul 284, a large circular structure is installed to display Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary products. The surrounding walls and floor reflect and mirror both the products and the visitors, symbolizing Fritz Hansen’s timeless beauty, which has endured for 150 years as products and users exchange value with one another.
The ‘History’ section in the third-class waiting room presents Fritz Hansen’s 150-year history—which has moved in step with the history and currents of Northern European furniture design—divided into eight themes. Vintage products and original catalogs held by the Danish headquarters will be exhibited together with Fritz Hansen’s major products and archival footage. In the adjoining west corridor, visitors can take in the contemporary products that Fritz Hansen has widely introduced in collaboration with designers around the world.
Beyond this, in celebration of Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary, the exhibition will screen a documentary edited with Korean subtitles at the second-floor grill, and will feature a variety of spaces including a material room, a library, and a gift shop.
Kim Tae-hoon, President of KCDF, which co-organized this exhibition alongside Fritz Hansen, said, “Korean craft and design stand shoulder to shoulder with the world-acclaimed Northern European design. I hope this exhibition serves as an opportunity to present the outstanding skills of Korean craft masters and the meaningful work of Korean designers to the world.”
▲ Wood Drop (Designer Lee Suk-woo)
▲ Courtyard (Designer Choi Hyung-moon)