2014
KAVI NEW NORDIC CHRISTMAS COLLECTION DESIGN BY AKIKO KUWAHATA www.kuwahata.dk
LENA NICOLAJSEN
www.lenanicolajsen.com
DESIGNMUSEUM DANMARK DECEMBER 2013
In 2013 The Danish Design Museum asked us to create a Christmas decoration for their Christmas tree. In the creative process that followed, we kept returning to the old Nordic Christmas tradition. The small, cosy houses, the stars in the dark nights, snowflakes and ´nisser -the Nordic Christmas gnomes are examples of this tradition, which we have reinterpreted and recreated in a modern design. We are happy and proud to present our interpretation of the simple and beautiful, Nordic Christmas collection. Merry Christmas, Lena and Akiko
LITTLE SNOW When we started the project, we thought that snowflakes had perfect geometric forms, and we were surprised to learn that this is not the case. Sound, temperature and wind affect the creation of snowflakes. They are never 100% perfect, but become perfect beauties in spite of all their small differences and irregularities. Our collection, which we named KAVI, has its origins in this story. Kavi is the Faroese word for snow.
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LITTLE SNOW A 01
Height 7 cm
LITTLE SNOW B 02
Height 8 cm
LITTLE SNOW C 03
Height 8 cm
LITTLE SNOW D 04
Height 6 cm
LITTLE SNOW E 05
Height 6 cm
LITTLE SNOW F 06
Height 7 cm
BIG SNOW Akiko was intrigued by the small loops, which are common on the Nordic Christmas tree decoration, which are pushed onto the branches of the Christmas tree. Therefore we designed a wooden ball attached to a long silk ribbon, which can be wrapped around the branches and decorate the tree. Big snow has an extra long silk ribbon and a big snowflake, which also can be wrapped around the mistletoe and inspire people to kiss.
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01 BIG SNOW A Height 17 cm
02 BIG SNOW B Height 16 cm
03 BIG SNOW C Height 18 cm
04 BIG SNOW D Height 15 cm
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CHRISTMAS FIGURINES The figurines, which are the symbols of grandmother’s Christmas tree, are hanging on the branches of the tree in a new time and with a new expression. The chimney is so so long, the smoke is arising. There must be cosy in the little warm hut. The birds are asleep. The tree is winking to you and the Christmas gnome is holding his hart in pure joy.
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01 FIGURINE A Height 10 cm
02 FIGURINE B Height 8 cm
03 FIGURINE C Height 11 cm
04 FIGURINE D Height 7 cm
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05 FIGURINE E Height 11 cm
06 FIGURINE F Height 13 cm
07 FIGURINE G Height 8 cm
08 FIGURINE H Height 9 cm
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09 FIGURINE I Height 10 cm
10 FIGURINE J Height 11 cm
11 FIGURINE K Height 12 cm
12 FIGURINE L Height 13 cm
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BY HAND The snowman is standing all-blissful. The angle is hanging with closed eyes. The striped figurines are wearing hats. Every figurine is handmade in Akiko’s wooden workshop and painted by hand in Lena’s studio. ”by hand” consists of figurines, all signed in the bottom and all completely unique.
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BY HAND A 01
Height 5 cm
BY HAND B 02
Height 6 cm
BY HAND C 03
Height 5 cm
BY HAND D 04
Height 6 cm
BY HAND E 05
Height 5 cm
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BY HAND F 06
Height 6 cm
BY HAND G 07
Height 5 cm
BY HAND H 08
Height 5 cm
BY HAND I 09
Height 5 cm
SNOWMAN FAMILY In the garden the snowman is standing wearing his hat and a scarf. The snowman family is hand made and painted by hand and can be placed in the window, at the fireplace or on the Christmas table. The graceful interpretations of the Classic Christmas tree are unique, and they are signed and handmade in Denmark by the designers themselves.
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SNOWMAN A 01
Height 10 cm
SNOWMAN B 02
Height 10 cm
SNOWMAN C 03
Height 20 cm
SNOWMAN D 04
Height 20 cm
SNOWMAN E 05
Height 10 cm
WOOD FAMILY The Christmas tree is standing in the middle of the living room. Ready to receive the decoration and the family to dance around it and sing Christmas carols. The wood family is unique, signed and handmade in Denmark by the designers themselves.
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WOOD A 01
Height 20 cm
WOOD B 02
Height 10 cm
WOOD C 03
Height 13 cm
WOOD D 04
Height 22 cm
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WOOD E 05
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Height 18 cm
WOOD G 06
Height 10 cm
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PHOTOGRAFI BY ALEXANDRA BUHL LENA NICOLAJSEN EDITORIAL DESIGN BY ELISA BATISTA