Art and technology in Danish design: symbiosis of tradition and innovation

Abstract

The research aims to identify the main principles of the national identity of Danish design by examining the relationship between artistic and technological principles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This study is relevant in the search for a modern national style in design, as it looks at the historical material of design creativity in the Scandinavian region, which has maintained its authentic character to this day. The approach to this problem is novel in that it takes a holistic view of design creativity, considering all traditional industries such as ceramics, weaving, furniture, and jewellery, within a broad socio-cultural context, rather than a narrow genre analysis. An ecocultural approach, combined with system analysis, has enabled us to establish new artistic and technological connections between historical Danish craft and design objects. This work incorporates a variety of original contemporary Western art studies and also introduces historical materials from the late 19th century into scientific circulation. It analyses the activities of design studios in the industrial sector of the art industry, large craft workshops, private design studios, and a circle of independent designers to form an understanding of the specifics of Danish design. This research reveals the national Skønvirke movement as the ideological and design-artistic basis for Danish design, which combines artistic and craft heritage with an openness to new, technologically advanced aesthetics in industrial production. This unique combination has shaped the development of Danish design, preserving its national identity with a recognizable “Nordic” character that is renowned worldwide.