At the recently concluded 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, Denmark, multidisciplinary creative studio and gallery TABLEAU showcased exhibitions across two locations in the city. The Danish design studio and gallery platformed the works of 14 artists and designers at their gallery in Vimmelskaftet 41a and their concept store at Store Strandstræde 20, under the overarching theme of Domestic Pleasures. The exhibition asked via a series of eccentric and audacious furniture designs, art installations, homeware products and bespoke decorative items, what makes a place home.
Each object on display across the two locations sought to subvert the conventions of product design that inhabit our domestic spaces. The result was a wide array of typical objects in atypical miens, bearing the potential of inspiring and igniting zesty responses, infusing indoor spaces with an imaginative atmosphere and prompting creativity, all while ensuring that these designs could help create a sanctuary of belonging and a sense of 'domestic pleasure.'
Some innovative lighting designs exhibited at Domestic Pleasures included the Foam Catcher wall lamp by Belgian designer Anton Hendrik Denys; sculptural lamp designs such as the Horn lamp, Fauns Flesh and Heart lamp by Denmark-based artist Maria Koshenkova; the IC-12 lamps and IC-8 mirror by Dutch design practice Studio Josha and metal lamps by Denmark-based Sigurd Nis Schelde.
In the realm of furniture, Oslo-based artist and designer Ali Shah Gallefoss showcased stools; Austrian designer Laurids Gallée presented the Poolside shelf, Lipicanci and So Wild; Danish artist Rebecca Lajboschitz stationed a vibrantly hued sofa at the gallery; UK-based design studio Six Dots Design presented dining tables and coffee tables while the Netherlands-based sculptural design studio Onno Adriaanse bought the Dawn stool and Timber bench and armchair to the show.
Among the other functional furniture pieces on display were Eindhoven-based designer Willem Van Hooff’s Ripped metal bench, metal cabinet and wooden chair; Danish designer Jacob Egeberg’s Molten mirror, Wheel Column floor lamp and Amphibious sofa, armchair, chaise lounge and stool design; Rotterdam-based Forever Studio’s Spring mirror and console; and Austria-based Lino Gasparitsch’s Soft Edges, Hard Fill: Pls Understand, Trockenbau 2.0 and Behind the Garden Wall furniture. Artist Alyssa Megan Lewis, on the other hand, showcased the art installations Perimeter, Whole and Palette.
STIR interacted with TABLEAU to understand the theme and process of putting together Domestic Pleasures, and their experience at the three-day design festival this year.
Almas Sadique: What were the themes of the two exhibitions and who were the creatives showcasing at both the expositions?
TABLEAU: The two exhibitions were closely connected and involved the same artists and designers. The gallery exhibition featured larger furniture and showed how functional art can be a part of a private home setting; [in contrast], we wanted to create a 'cabinet of domestic pleasures' in our concept store, which refers to the 300-year-old built-in cabinet and shelving system part of the original interior from when the building was established in 1791. This meant that all artists were asked to create works that would fit within the small shelves, which was an interesting challenge and ended up with unexpected pieces, ranging from small ceramic vases to Maria Koshenkova's glass works inspired (and can be used as) sex toys.
Almas: How did the showcases respond to the overarching theme?
TABLEAU: All designers and artists had creative freedom to interpret our theme and the space restrictions, but all the works are meant for a real home and reflected on the theme of belonging and feeling comfort in a space.
Almas: How were the artists and designers shortlisted for the exhibition?
TABLEAU: With our new creative direction we wish to create a community with the artists and designers we work with. It’s essential that we maintain diversity in terms of practice, materiality, methods and style, and we also strive to have a mix of very established artists, such as Laurids Gallee, alongside young, upcoming talents.
Almas: Tell us a little about the exhibition design. Were the pieces arranged in the gallery keeping in mind domestic residential settings?
TABLEAU: Whereas the exhibition in the concept store was guided by the original built-in interior, the gallery show aimed to inspire our guests to see that essentially, everyone can live in a home surrounded by art, not just on the walls, but in all aspects of the objects that we surround ourselves with. Our gallery space is 300 square metres, so we created smaller sections and tableaus in curated combinations of materials, shapes and artists.
Almas: Tell us about your experience at 3daysofdesign this year.
TABLEAU: 3daysofdesign has grown to become one of Europe's leading design events and we clearly see how it has grown every year. Notably, it’s incredible to see how many people travel here from all over the world, and it was a pleasure meeting people from the industry who came from Japan and South Korea, the US and Canada—just to name a few.
Almas: What were some interesting reactions to the Domestic Pleasures?
TABLEAU: A lot of our guests noted that they enjoyed seeing an exhibition showcasing functional art, in comparison to more commercially minded designs that are highly represented at 3daysofdesign. Our focus is on bespoke work, often handmade and unique, and our experience was that a lot of our guests found great inspiration seeing work that dared to challenge the norms of design and bridge the gap towards art.
STIR navigates through key design districts, highlights and events of 3daysofdesign 2024. Tap here to know more.
- 3daysofdesign
- armchair
- art installation
- Austria
- belgian designer
- Coffee table
- Copenhagen
- Danish Artist
- danish design
- Danish Designer
- Denmark
- design event
- Design fesival
- dining table
- floor lamp
- Functional art
- furniture design
- furniture designer
- homeware
- lamp design
- lighting design
- product design
- Product Designer
- Rotterdam
- sofa design
- Stool design
- Table design
- the netherlands
- United Kingdom
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