Børge Mogensen 100 years, 23/1–19/10 2014

Børge Mogensen 100 years

“My goal is to try to generate things that will serve people, and place the needs of people at the centre. I would not force people to adapt to objects for anything in the World.”

Simple, functional, quality, everyday furniture made of wood that was intended to be used in the daily lives of Danes – that was the goal of Børge Mogensen’s work. Many Danes have experienced Børge Mogensen’s design firsthand, because Mogensen’s furniture has appointed public spaces and private residences in Denmark over the past 70 years. The sets of furniture from FDB, the teak furniture from Søborg Møbelfabrik, the chair from Fredericia Stolefabrik and, most especially, the set of furniture called Øresund, are not only narratives about a brilliant furniture designer, they also represent the history of the development of the Danish welfare state.

In the exhibition Trapholt shows designs and commercials  from the very young Børge Mogensen furniture program for the Fællesforeningen af Danmarks Brugsforeninger (FDB). When he was 28, Mogensen was hired with a view towards developing a furniture concept featuring practical, simple, straightforward furniture. FDB’s vision to create honest, sound furniture was partially a result of a problematic housing situation, where many apartments were of limited size, but was also part of a larger international modernist movement, where dwellings were part of an important societal transformation process. At that time, it was the individual who was the central consideration, rather than the actual furniture, which informed the fitting and arrangement of interiors.

 

borge-mogensen-folkestolen-1947-lg

Børge Mogensen’s designs spoke to people of modest means, who sought quality without lavishness, such as the total outfitting of Løgumkloster Refugium, and also to intellectual customers who were aware of the ideological intention behind the furniture, as well as the exclusive genuine leather furniture available in the higher price range. Mogensen’s iconic piece, the Spanish Chair, is considered to be the pinnacle of his life’s work, with its characteristic combination of fine, natural materials executed in a very expressive, yet extremely restrained idiom.

During the period 1939 to 1963, the annual exhibition hosted by the Danish Cabinetmakers Guild served as a playground for Børge Mogensen’s experiments, which later became modified for production. In the round gallery, you can see Mogensen’s contributions to these exhibitions over twenty-four years. As an extension of the Cabinetmakers Guild’s exhibition in 1962, a turbulent controversy broke out, which had to do with the definition of Danish design. In his contribution to the debate, Mogensen criticized his contemporary colleagues for not being loyal to the Danish
tradition. This lead to a year-long debate about Danish tradition, its roots in Kaare Klint’s school of furniture, and the quality of the design of that time. During the same period, Mogensen’s spoke back sofa from 1945 was re-launched by Fritz Hansen as the “most Danish” of all sofas. Does a ‘true’ Danish design exist? We will let the visitors decide.

The exhibition is open until 19 october 2014.

 

trapholt

 

More design from Børge Mogensen:

Beautiful joinery and unassuming aesthetics come together in Børge Mogensen’s Sideboard, designed in 1957

Classic furniture designed by Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) has been part of Carl Hansen & Son’s …

Introducing a new edition of Børge Mogensen’s iconic Spanish Chair – Fredericia

The Spanish Chair in a new edition Design: Børge Mogensen Designed for Fredericia in 1958, …

Fredericia reintroduces elegant 1960s The Canvas 21 Chair by Børge Mogensen

In a harmonious blend of past and present, Fredericia is proud to reintroduce the Canvas …

Børge Mogensen’s Minimalist Table Bench now with paper cord weave – Carl Hansen & Søn

SINCE IT WAS FIRST PRESENTED IN 1958, BØRGE MOGENSEN’S TABLE BENCH HAS BEEN CHERISHED FOR …

My goal is to create items that serve people and give them the leading role, instead of forcing them to adapt to the items! Børge Mogensen

Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) was one of the most influential designers in shaping Danish Modern design …

Fredericia relaunches the Nesting Tables design by Børge Mogensen

The family-owned design brand reintroduces the BM375 Nesting Tables, a classic wooden design from the …

Børge Mogensen’s iconic J39 launches in artistic colours – Fredericia

Inspired by Japanese interiors and Danish avant-garde art in Mogensen’s home, the popular wooden chair, …

Timeless shelf design by Børge Mogensen relaunched – Fredericia

After almost seventy years, Fredericia is now reintroducing Børge Mogensen’s BM29 shelf, designed in 1956. …

Børge Mogensen’s popular J39 chair in new colours – Fredericia

The J39 chair stands as one of the strongest manifestations of Børge Mogensen’s unmatched ability …

This year, The J39 Mogensen Chair is celebrating its 75th birthday – Fredericia

75 years of J39 This year, The J39 Mogensen Chair is celebrating its 75th birthday, the chair …

Børge Mogensen’s Asserbo Series comprises a table and bench – Carl Hansen

CARL HANSEN & SON RELAUNCHES THE ASSERBO SERIES, DESIGNED BY BØRGE MOGENSEN FOR HIS OWN …

Børge Mogensen’s iconic J39 turns 75 years old – Fredericia

J39 has won the hearts of design enthusiasts worldwide for more than seven decades, and …

Mater is launching a collection of chairs and tables designed in 1958 by Børge Mogensen in an upcycled WASTE edition

Børge Mogensen Conscious Danish modern reimagined by Mater in an upcycled WASTE edition using their …

The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen crafted in American walnut – Fredericia

We are pleased to introduce The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen crafted in American walnut, …

The BM67 Coffee Table – Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956 and launched by Fredericia

The BM67 Coffee Table has an understated authenticity that’s appealing to the modern conscious consumer. …

Discover our Outdoor Colletion designed by Børge Mogensen – Carl Hansen & Søn

Moving the attention to detail reserved for indoor furniture outside, Børge Mogensen’s Outdoor series is …

Introducing The Lynderup Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

In 1954 Børge Mogensen designed the Lynderup Chair. A chair that connects the past to …

Rest in style – Carl Hansen & Søn in a unique collaboration with DUX by Børge Mogensen

BM0555 X DUX CH18 A bed isn’t merely an investment piece for a good night’s …

DUX in collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn presenting a bed by Børge Mogensen

DUX in a unique collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn Presenting a bed in design …

The BM5565 Deck Chair with integrated footrest by Børge Mogensen – Carl Hansen

Børge Mogensen’s outdoor series, which was first introduced to Carl Hansen & Son’s collection of …

Børge Mogensen’s flexible shelving system in production for the first time

Carl Hansen & Son is expanding its Børge Mogensen collection with a flexible storage system …

Børge Mogensen’s BM0488 Table Bench is being relaunched

Shown for the first time at the 1958 Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition on a …

Børge Mogensen’s BM0865 Daybed relaunched

Shown for the first time at the 1958 Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition on a …

The Black Canvas Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

Simple, Structural with a Strong Presence The Canvas Chair is one of the last pieces …

The Red Spanish Special Edition 2020 – Fredericia

Introducing a special edition of The Spanish Chair and The Spanish Dining Chair in Deep …

BM61 Chair & BM62 Armchair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

Carefully Calibrated for Comfort Slender yet solid, simple yet striking, the BM61 Chair and BM62 …

The Canvas Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

Simple, Structural with a Strong Presence The Canvas Chair is one of the last pieces …

Spanish Dining Chair – Fredericia

Spanish Dining Chair – Fredericia

SPANISH DINING CHAIR – RETURN OF AN ICON Fredericia revisits the Spanish Dining Chair designed …

The Børge feeling – Fredericia

What sets Børge Mogensen apart from any other designer? It’s all captured in the Spanish …

Børge Mogensen kopieret af Ralph Lauren

Børge Mogensen kopieret af Ralph Lauren

Børge Mogensen kopieret af Ralph Lauren november 30, 2016 by Erik Theil Det ses fra …

No. 1 now as an armchair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

BUILDING ON A SUCCESS STORY-NO.1 NOW AS AN ARMCHAIR Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) lacked neither opinions …

Spanish Chair in new tonalities design by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

THE SPANISH CHAIR IN NEW TONALITIES It was in 1955 that Fredericia Furniture entered into …

J39 dining chair in six new colours by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia

FREDERICIA’S J39 CHAIR IN SIX NEW COLOURS The J39 dining chair is one of Børge …

Børge Mogensen 100 years @ Trapholt

    More design from Børge Mogensen:

Børge Mogensen 100 years

Børge Mogensen 100 years, 23/1–19/10 2014

“My goal is to try to generate things that will serve people, and place the …