S is for Scandinavian F is for Function…Ok, so where’s the least likely place to see a beautifully curated and thorough exhibit of Scandinavian Modern furniture, ceramics, and glassware? If your answer was the Greyhound station, close but I was recently pleasantly surprised by a large 2 case exhibit at the SFO airport in the international terminal, Scandinavian Modernism:  In Pursuit of Function and Beauty.  OooOoooOoooo!  The title alone, says worlds about the design era, which spanned almost 50 years, starting in the late 20’s through the late 60’s. What does the ‘O’ in SFO stand for anyways?

 

 

X chair 1960 // Peter Hvidt 

 

I was merely flying back to LA on a quick 24-hour trip, but had flown Virgin Atlantic which is based out of this terminal. What luck! The design gods were looking down on me. 

 

 

 

For once, I was not running late and had some time to kill so I snapped away, planning to read the blurbs later, and oggled and drooled over the pristine collection of Hans Wegner chairs, Arne Jacobsen’s iconic ant chair, the ensembles of blown glass, the brightly colored ceramics, the incredible amount of housewares, the Jens Quistgaard ice bucket for Dansk, etc etc etc. 

 

 

Vases 1948-50 // Axel Salto

 

 

Bowls and Vases 1945-65 // Berndt Friberg 

 

Pre-ebay, pre-Ikea, pre-Craigs list and even pre-me, Scandinavian Modernism denotes a specific group of product and furrniture designers working towards a common goal, the perfect marriage of function and aesthetics, emphasizing the simplicity and beauty of organic form and fine craftmanship. The word “function” is what classifies these pieces as design as opposed to fine art.  The sculptural lines, the bauhaus influence, the Japanese influence in the cleanliness of lines, shapes and colors all culminate in a simple, clean timeless look, that transcends borders and eras.

 

 

NV45 armchair 1945 // Finn Juhl

 

I will let the photos speak for themselves since I’m doing some last minute prep for my 2 week adventure to Japan and Hong Kong…leaving today!

 

    

Chair 1962 // Nanna Ditzel 

 

It is on view 24 hours a day, in the International Terminal Main Hall at SFO and is up through October 26, 2008.  Free, of course.

 

 

Tulip Glassware 1954-57 // Nils Landsberg

 

 

Krenit Bowls 1954-65 // Herbert Krenchel 

 

 

Easy Chair with Bookrest 1933-36 // Bruno Matthson

 

 

  

For more information online about some Scandinavian Designers, this site has great images and virtual exhibits of Danish Designers:

Danish-Furniture