JUNE 2013 ISSUE 53 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA
ROBERT WELLS – THE MAN, THE PIANO AND THE HAIR VISIT THE VALLEY OF THE VIKINGS TOP SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN PUIJO TOWER – THE BEST VIEWS OVER FINNISH LAKELAND
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Scan Magazine | Contents
Contents COVER FEATURE 8
8 49
Robert Wells Robert Wells is one of the world's foremost pianists and composers. Rhapsody in Rock, a musical extravaganza of his own creation, has become a worldwide success. Scan Magazine caught up with one of Scandinavia’s best-loved entertainers.
FOOD FEATURES 87
TotallySwedish TotallySwedish, with its two London stores and online shop, is stocking up in preparation for midsummer’s eve, which this year falls on 21 June.
88
Ågot Lian Set on the town square in Trondheim, Ågot Lian is a restaurant whose owner is determined to put fish back on the menu for Norwegians.
89
KingCrab House Since last November, opened just in time for the Alpine Ski World Cup in Levi, KingCrab House has been serving delicacies from the Arctic Sea to a happy blend of patrons.
DESIGN FEATURES 13
Akershus Kunstsenter Read about Akershus Kunstsenter in Lillestrøm, which has in recent years become a prominent centre for art, focusing heavily on young and non-commercial contemporary art.
14
Hareide Design Known for its diversity and vast experience within the design industry, Hareide Design has amassed an impressive client portfolio after just 13 years. Today, the Norwegian design agency continues to expand.
TRAVEL FEATURES 16
The Valley of Vikings In 1994, Georg Olafr Reydarsson Hansen started his quest to create an authentic Viking village. He moved from Oslo to the tiny village of Gudvangen where he works hard to fulfil his dream.
18
Puijo Tower Visitors to Kuopio in Finnish Lakeland can enjoy spectacular views from the city’s most distinctive landmark, the Puijo Tower, while enjoying a meal in its rotating restaurant. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the observation tower.
SPECIAL THEMES 20
Design in Norway Norwegian design used to be associated with aesthetics and the appearance aspect of the products. Since then design has become more widespread, specialised and professionalized.
43
Swedish Design The hallmark of contemporary Swedish design is vital diversity. The deeply rooted perception of excellent Swedish design with simple stylistic consistency is no longer taken for granted.
51
Top Danish Design Danish fashion designers are making a big splash: fresh new faces and more established names, as well as small brands and larger companies, are finding success in Denmark and abroad.
67
Design and Art in Finland Design and art are a part of the Finnish national identity, with design in particular forming a part of Finns’ everyday lives.
REGULARS & COLUMNS 51
11
We Love This | 12 Fashion Diary | 72 Hotels of the Month | 76 Attractions of the Month
82
Restaurants of the Month | 96 News | 98 Humour | 99 Music & Culture | 101 Culture Calendar
88
Scan Business
REGULARS & COLUMNS 90
Business Columns & News Key note, columns and news stories on Scandinavian businesses and business events.
94
Conferences of the Month The best conference venues of the month.
96
Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of Scandinavian business events.
FEATURE 92
Rawbite Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. This was the view that led three Danes to create Rawbite, a 100 per cent natural, organic fruit and nut bar.
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 3
Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, Let’s see – we’ve recently won the Eurovision (once again!), triumphed at the Ice Hockey World Championships, and I’m sure there are some other things I’ve missed out. And by we I’m naturally referring to us Scandinavians. More specifically, the Eurovision Song Contest was of course won by Denmark and the lovely Emmelie De Forest, and the world hockey title was snagged by the Swedes (with Finland in fourth place – better luck next time, eh?). But I feel like I should be allowed to co-opt the other Scandinavian nationalities every now and then, especially on such happy occasions. Sure, some good-natured neighbourly rivalry is always warranted, but we shouldn’t take it too seriously! Scan Magazine is of course here to give each Scandinavian country its well-deserved moment in the sun – we’re big fans of them all, after all. This month, we begin with a world-famous Swede, composer and pianist extraordinaire Robert Wells. He will not cut his long locks nor will he follow fashion trends, but his career and music are what matter most anyway. We caught up with the King of Piano who is gearing up for a busy 2014, which will consist of a big tour and celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Rhapsody in Rock, his musical extravaganza.
We continue with some top Nordic design from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, with products, services and brands ranging from popular fashion labels to industrial design and renowned architect companies, and even wooden eyewear. All of it, naturally, of the highest quality imaginable, and with a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical responsibility – it’s what we Scandinavians do best. Finally, we finish off with some humour, Norwegian singer/songwriter Moddi and Danish indie band The Rumour Said Fire. We hope you enjoy our June issue!
Nia Kajastie Editor
Scan Magazine
Contributors
Mette Lisby
Issue 53 | June 2013
Emelie Krugly
Maria Smedstad
Karl Batterbee
Simon Cooper
Didrik Ottesen
Karl Batterbee
Published 06.06.2013 ISSN 1757-9589 Published by Scan Magazine Ltd Design & Print Liquid Graphic Ltd
Kjersti Westeng Anette Berve Magnus Nygren Syversen Stian Sangvig Julie Lindén Hannah Gillow Kloster
Sales & Key Account Managers Emma Fabritius Nørregaard Mette Tonnessen Johan Enelycke Kirsi Isotalo
Executive Editor
Ingvild Larsen Vetrhus
Advertising
Thomas Winther
Elin Berta
marketing@scanmagazine.co.uk
Creative Director
Cecilia Varricchio
Mads E. Petersen
Maria Malmros
Editor Nia Kajastie
Linnea Dunne
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4 | Issue 53 | June 2013
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Scan Magazine | Contributors
Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a full-time writer and grammar stickler. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.
Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years. Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London. Swedish Sara Schedin is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from City University London. She moved here in 2006 and is currently covering Scandinavian culture in the UK.
Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator.
Ingvild Larsen Vetrhus is a Norwegian freelance journalist and media researcher who moved to London in 2007 to study journalism and international relations. She is still based in the UK, where she has written for local newspapers, specialist magazines and African affairs publications. Kjersti Westeng moved from Norway to London to study journalism. She now finds it impossible to leave, despite having finished university two years ago. From 9 to 5 she works in PR, but in the evenings she writes her blog and plans her next holiday.
6 | Issue 53 | June 2013
Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.
Magnus Nygren Syversen is a Norwegian freelance journalist, who graduated from Middlesex University with a BA in Journalism & Communication in 2010. Having left London and relocated to the other side of the world, he is currently doing his MA at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk.
Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK.
Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health.
Elin Berta is a Swedish freelance journalist. After working as a news reporter for Swedish Radio, she decided to leave the motherland for a life in London in 2010. Now her focus is back on her first true love - writing - often combined with her love for music and writing reviews.
Norwegian Didrik Ottesen is back living in London after a carefree time travelling around the world. He is currently doing his MA Journalism degree while also working as a freelance journalist and trying to play as much football as possible.
Rikke Oberlin Flarup is a Danish freelance writer and publisher with a passion for thick novels and DIY zines. Still a newcomer to London, she spends her free time exploring the city's hidden gems
Anette Berve is a Norwegian freelance journalist based in London. She has previously worked in Buenos Aires for a cultural newspaper and is currently finishing her degree in journalism and Spanish.
Julie Lindén is half Swedish and half Norwegian, and came to London two years ago to pursue a degree in journalism and creative writing at Kingston University. When she’s not busy studying, she is travelling the globe, learning new languages and planning novels to be written.
Thomas Bech Hansen has moved between England and Denmark, with London and now Copenhagen among the places called home. As well as covering everything Scandinavian from architecture to aquavit, he is mad about English music and football, works in PR and Communication.
Hannah Gillow Kloster is a Norwegian freelance writer who came to London to study English literature on its home turf. With a BA from Royal Holloway under her belt, she is currently pursuing an MA in Digital Humanities in Chicago, combining her two favourite things: literature and the internet.
Julie Bauer Larsen is a 29-year-old journalist specializing in corporate communication. In her current day job she combines her professional skills with years of experience as a volunteer on numerous projects for the Red Cross and other organisations. She’s passionate about incredible India, fantastic food and new novels.
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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Robert Wells
8 | Issue 53 | June 2013
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Robert Wells
Robert Wells – the man, the piano and the hair Robert Wells is one of the world's foremost pianists and composers. Rhapsody in Rock, a musical extravaganza of his own creation, has become a worldwide success. Scan Magazine caught up with one of Scandinavia’s best-loved entertainers. By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Press photos
The interview begins with a promise not to ask him when he is planning to cut his hair. He sighs with relief as I reassure him. As a bearer of extraordinary locks, he is more than sick of the question which seems to be curiously popular amongst journalists. Robert’s hair style and fashion sense have been debated in the Swedish media on many occasions, and Robert has often ended up on worst-dressed lists. “Yes! And I'm proud of that. I could not care less, following trends is not my thing,” he says laughing. At the age of 16, he was the youngest student soloist ever to be admitted at the Academy of Music in Stockholm. He was a neat, bespectacled boy when he entered the world of classical music. Soon he expanded his musical talent by adopting elements of jazz, blues, boogie-woogie and rock and roll. He grew his trademark shoulder-length hair in his later teenage years when he developed a love for rock 'n' roll and his first favourite band, Status Quo. He was entranced when he heard Bye Bye Johnny for the first time at age 17 and soon began
rebelling against his music teachers. “The hair still awakens feelings; it always annoys someone,” he remarks.
has now become a popular summer event in Scandinavia, with almost two million people enjoying Rhapsody in Rock.
King of Piano
The show also toured in Europe, and Robert performed at the Royal Albert Hall in England in 2011 and has journeyed as far as Russia, Australia, China and Japan. He has actually formed a rather special relationship with China, having visited the country no less than an impressive 47 times. This is due to a Chinese tenor who guested for a Rhapsody in Rock concert in Gothenburg and returned home with a video recording of the concert, which was then aired on a cultural and public television service in China.
Not long after, Robert began working as a conductor for a variety of famous Swedish artists such as Charlie Norman, Hep Stars, Lill-Babs, Jerry Williams and Gösta Linderholm. When he starred in the TV hit Så ska det låta, the Swedish version of The Lyrics Board, he quickly became a household name. Since then he has recorded numerous albums, collaborated with Celine Dion and set up an online piano school called King of Piano. He has also written a book about his unusual career path and even played piano for the Belarus entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. However, he is undoubtedly best known for his highly successful musical extravaganza Rhapsody in Rock, which has achieved great prominence in Scandinavia and mixes elements of rock, classical and boogie-woogie styles. The show has toured since 1989 but was not an instant hit, and after several slow years, it was then revived in 1998 with great success. It
The impact of this became clear the following year as Robert was invited to appear at a big concert in China in 2008. He composed Beijing's official Olympic ceremony and medal music, collaborated with Tan Jing, China's Madonna, and then became a Professor of Music at The Zhejiang University for Culture and Media in Hangzhou. His CDs and concert DVDs are bestsellers in China, and he has a string of gold and platinum records to his name. “It’s simply crazy when you think about it;
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 9
Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Robert Wells
I mean who would have thought it? I’ve grown to love the country and its people, and I’m now learning Chinese.”
gie-woogie piano king of Scandinavia. They were supported by special guests The Vocalettes.
In 2012, he was awarded with the H.M. The King’s Medal for outstanding artistic contributions as an entrepreneur within the cultural sector. All in all, Robert Wells is a man who rarely sits still; he is highly dedicated, and while living and breathing music has not been tempted by the party lifestyle.
Charlie Norman passed away in 2005. During his life he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a piano legend. For several years, he and Robert Wells worked closely together, touring, appearing on TV shows and recording.
noon tea at Brown’s in Mayfair is also a regular affair for me.”
Rhapsody in Rock’s 25th anniversary
“The rock myth evaporates when it comes to me. Sure, there has been some partying over the years, but I just do not particularly like to drink. It's all about performing when I go on tour.” He is also a dedicated father of two boys, Oscar and Teddy, and tells me proudly how one of his sons is an excellent dancer and has performed with him on stage. His sons and wife Maria, who is also a singer in The Vocalettes, have always joined him during tours. A tribute to Charlie Norman On the 21-24 May, UK audiences had the opportunity to experience Robert Wells with his trio, performing a new tribute show dedicated to a dear friend and mentor, Charlie Norman, the swing and boo-
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“He has taught me so much, such as stage language and timing. Charlie used to refer to us as the old and the hair!” The idea of a tribute tour has been on Robert’s mind since Norman's death. During four evenings at the Jazz Club in Soho, a venue that Robert loves, the audience experienced musical quality seasoned with humour and anecdotes. “The focus during this tour has been to deliver a very personal and intimate performance, something Charlie was naturally very good at,” Robert explains, continuing: “London is magical; I love the city and I see it as my second home. To wander around Soho or take a jog in Hyde Park is just great, and then to end the day with fish and chips and a pint at The Swan at Lancaster Gate is a favourite. After-
The coming months are going to be hectic. Robert will return to China this autumn to record a new talent show called King of Piano. “We're going to find China's next piano star. It’s going to be great fun!” says Wells. Twenty-fourteen will be the start of the celebrations of Rhapsody in Rock’s 25th anniversary, followed by a big tour. Wells is also returning to the UK and Cambridge for the recording of another album. Robert turned 50 last year but is not fixated with age and is looking forward to growing as a musician. “If you look at fellow colleagues, this is usually when they reach their prime in their careers, take Charlie Norman as an example. The years until now have only been the beginning.”
For more information, please visit: www.pianowells.com For UK enquiries & bookings, please visit: FirstAndForemostEntertainment.com or call 0800 2707567
Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This
We love this... It is officially summer, and when it comes to home decoration and design, we are particularly excited about everything outdoorsy and gardeny. By Julie Guldbrandsen
Waxed tablecloth by Susanne Schjerning – perfectly practical for a garden dinner. £45. www.northlighthomestore.com
H&M and has created a lovely collection of garden accessories, including cool seat cushions, picnic blankets and beach bags. Seat cushions £6.99. www.hm.com
The Eva Solo Grill Globe is an ingenious kettle BBQ grill in a minimalist design. It A funky little owl thermometer that sticks to
The cutest napkins with white flowers and
has an integrated thermometer and
the outside of the window. £12.
dancing Moomintrolls. £4.
withstands rain and frost. £349.
www.scandiliving.com
www.northlighthomestore.com
www.occa-home.co.uk
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 11
Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary
Fashion Diary... Put a flowery spin on your wardrobe with these Scandi-cool fashion delicacies. This is the perfect way to welcome the summer season. By Julie Guldbrandsen
A super girly sweater by Ganni. Mix with leather or denim shorts for an edgy contrast. App. £128. www.gannistore.com
Chic, hot summer dress by Ganni. App. £120. www.gannistore.com
Mix different flower patterns, don’t be shy! This creates a lovely on-trend look. Trousers £98. Silk shirt £166. fallwinterspringsummer.com
12 | Issue 53 | June 2013
Sporty yet flirtatious pair of shorts by
The bomber jacket has fast become a
Selected Femme. Team with a blazer
fashionista must-have. We love this
for a sophisticated look. £41.
flowery version by FWSS. £166.
selected.com
fallwinterspringsummer.com
Scan Magazine | Design | Akershus Kunstsenter
Sounds and modern art create a thrilling summer exhibition Akershus Kunstsenter has in recent years become a prominent centre for art, focusing heavily on young and non-commercial contemporary art. By Didrik Ottesen | Photo: Courtesy of Akershus Kunstsenter
The centre offers a variety of exhibitions, displaying videos and installations as well as more traditional drawings and paintings. However, this summer the focus and priority are set on showcasing sounds. Located in Lillestrøm, Akershus Kunstsenter will be displaying an exhibition called NOR13, a sound-based presentation focusing on kinetic sculptures and various installations which, in distinctive ways, hold different sounds. “This summer we can invite everyone into a fantastic and fascinating world, both adults and children,” says Rikke Komissar, daily manager at Akershus Kunstsenter. “This exhibition will display sculptures that walk and produce various sounds,
along with objects inflating and deflating themselves and generally moving around. “This is a very Gyro Gearloose universe,” Komissar says. The exhibition will present works from several artists with international careers and significant experience. “Jana Winderen is one of the artists in NOR13, and in this exhibition she will display teasers and parts of her new sound installation due to be presented at the Museum of Modern Art in New York this autumn. “In the work called Ultrafield, we’re introduced to 16 different channels with different sounds from nature, and Akershus Kunstsenter has the privilege of showing
previews of this exhibition until 4 August, before it’s due for New York,” Komissar said. Other artists part of NOR13 are Atle Selnes Nielsen, Christian Blom, Signe Lidén, Tore Honoré Bøe, Cecilia Jonsson and Kristoffer Myskja. For more information, please visit: www.akershuskunstsenter.no
Kinetic sculpture by Atle Selnes Nielsen
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K-Master for Kongsberg Maritime. Photo: Kongsberg
Pride in design Known for its diversity and vast experience within the design industry, Hareide Design has amassed an impressive client portfolio after just 13 years. Today, the Norwegian design agency continues to expand, providing all its clients with products and designs of which they are proud. By Kjersti Westeng
Norwegian industrial designer Einar Hareide started Hareide Design in 2000, after working as chief designer for Saab Automobile in Sweden and as a designer at Mercedes. Having previously studied Industrial Design in Sweden and Car Design in Detroit, it is safe to say that Einar Hareide had the knowledge, expertise and experience to succeed as an industrial designer when he started Hareide Design in Norway. “Working in the car industry in Sweden and Germany for 14 years gave me valuable experience, and I wanted to use what I had learned to start my own company. It was exciting to start fresh in a new market,” Hareide says. Hareide Design caters to a number of industry verticals, such as automotive, consumer products, medical and maritime, whilst also providing design strategies. With offices in both Norway and Sweden,
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Hareide Design reaches out to a number of clients within different industries. While the head office in Oslo works with clients off all sorts, the maritime industry is the largest. The office in Gothenburg specialises in car design but is attracting a wide range of other customers as well. Clients include, among others, Volvo and
Common Control Platform for Rolls-Royce. Illustration by Hareide Design
Drilling Chair for Aker Solutions. Illustration by Hareide Design
SJ (the major Swedish rail operator). Together with the design agency HALOGEN, Hareide Design is opening an office in Stavanger, Norway’s oil city. The new office in Stavanger will mainly be working within the offshore industry but is obviously hoping to attract clients from other industries as well. All designers at Hareide Design have a Master's degree in Industrial Design, as well as having diverse backgrounds from a range of industries and countries. The designers are taught the importance of thinking long-term, both in terms of design and brand-building. Although product design is Hareide Design’s forte, they also specialise in design strategy, an important tool in bridging the gap between a company’s
Volvo FMX. Photo: Volvo
business and product strategy. A design strategy is a long-term plan for the company’s products, and it is the designer's job to make sure it has a function and a clear, strong identity – one of which they are proud. Because pride is important to Einar Hareide. “I believe in creating products which our clients are proud of. To me, design is a matter of pride,” he says. The continued desire to operate on a global scale means Hareide Design often works with clients internationally. It might seem obvious, but one of the most important factors within industrial design today is to ensure that all products can be used worldwide. This means that Hareide Design has to make sure their products adhere to international regulation whilst appealing to global markets. Hareide says: “Information overload is a big problem today. Our job as designers is to filter this information and design products which are easy to use and easy to understand. In fact, design today is a lot about solving problems.” During its 13 years in the industry, Hareide Design has received numerous design awards, including 21 awards for design excellence from the Norwegian Design Council and two “red dot: best of the best” awards, as well as being recognised internationally, with three of their products featured in a permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Through the years, Hareide Design has worked with some very exciting clients, the Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo being a prime example: Volvo enlisted the help of Hareide Design in the creation and design of both the interiors and exteriors of their cars. Within the maritime industry Hareide Design has experienced great success working with companies such as Rolls-Royce Marine, Kongsberg Maritime, Brødrene Aa and Aker Solutions. Due to the strict regulations concerning safety and construction, designing for the maritime industry can sometimes be challenging. However, Hareide Design has found creative solutions for their clients, making them one of the most trusted design agencies within the industry. “It has been incredibly exciting to work with large maritime compa-
Top: Wood-burning stove for Jøtul. Photo: Jøtul Left: Electrical heater for Adax. Photo: Adax Right: Concrete outdoor furniture for Vestre. Photo: Vestre Bottom: Sheriff wheelchair for Krabat. Photo: Krabat
nies like Rolls-Royce and Kongsberg Maritime. However, all clients are equally important to us, whether they are big or small,” Hareide adds. For more information, please visit: www.hareidedesign.com
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 15
In 1994, Georg Olafr Reydarsson Hansen started his quest to create an authentic Viking village.
Njardarriket – The Valley of Vikings When a customer mentioned to Georg Olafr Reydarsson Hansen that he looked like a Viking, back in 1994, he took it literally and started his quest to become one. Apart from the pillaging of course. Eighteen years ago he moved from Oslo to the tiny village of Gudvangen where he works hard to fulfil his dream of creating an authentic Viking merchant town and to teach visitors about the life of Scandinavian Vikings. By Anette Berve | Photos: Krystian & Magda Krystkowiak
The Viking Market held in July is the camp’s only event while the main village is under planning. It is recognized as one of the biggest Viking markets in Europe, with over 3,000 visitors every year. Some 500 re-enactors, traders, warriors and craftswomen and -men, from over 20 nations, travel to the little village to form a bustling and diverse market – just like in
16 | Issue 53 | June 2013
the olden days. This year’s market will be the 13th of its kind. When the village is finalized, Hansen intends to arrange activities all year round.
navia, from May through September, and several throughout Europe the rest of the year. At Gudvangen, culture and sports are in focus, and even the odd swordfight is included. Visitors flock to the camp at the beginning of July from all over the world, from Japan, Canada and even Australia. Hansen explains that even in South America Viking re-enactment followers are highly active and that 25 participants from Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile have announced their arrival for next year’s festivities.
Viking re-enactment Viking markets and Viking re-enactments are popular affairs, and around a hundred markets are arranged all over Scandi-
Filming of Vikings Hansen explains that Viking re-enactment first became popular some 55 years ago
Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | The Valley of Vikings
with the film The Vikings with Kirk Douglas, but that Gudvangen is already noticing the effects of the launch of the new TV series Vikings on the History Channel. “Most people think it is filmed in Ireland, but actually most of the dramatic fjord and mountain scenery has been filmed right here, in Gudvangen,” Hansen explains. He counts some 25 active Viking groups in Norway and hopes that more people will want to learn about the interesting history surrounding the Scandinavian Vikings.
When visiting the Viking Village, guests are welcome to stay at Gudvangen Fjordtell, world famous for its Viking theme with an impressive glass roof. Only a short walk from the village, it is the ideal place to begin a tour of the Sogn area’s many attractions. Hansen recommends a trip to the Magical White Caves, an attraction that has to be pre-booked. It is a journey into the mountains to see the world’s largest deposits, second after the moon, of anorthosite, a type of marble that contains both gold and aluminium. A guide leads groups through the caves into the “main room”, where you can meditate on life’s magic while enjoying a drink – deep inside the mountain.
Njardarriket - Gudvangen, or Gudvangr, translates to “the gods’ field by the water”.
Njardarriket - Due to its strategic location, Gudvangen is believed to have been a market place and communication centre during Norway’s Viking era.
Gudvangen, or Gudvangr, means the field of the gods by the water. It is situated at the end of the Nærøyfjord and home to approximately 60 inhabitants. Hansen chose to settle down at this particular place for a reason. “This place is full of history and was an important place of commerce in the Middle Ages. We want to bring the old tales of Njardarriket back to life.”
tions will be done under supervision of renowned archaeologists, including Lars Holger Pilø, who was responsible for the excavation in Kaupang, currently Norway’s only Viking town.
In 1994, Hansen enlisted help from some of Norway’s leading experts on Vikings, Arne Emil Christensen from the Viking Ship Museum and writer Vera Henriksen, to make sure that he stayed true to the facts. “I decided that if I was to do this, I wanted to do it correctly.” The merchant town will be based upon archaeological evidence excavated in the Viking towns of early medieval Europe. All reconstruc-
Hansen takes his mission seriously and has put thought into every little detail. The buildings are raised following old building traditions, and clothes and tools are characteristic of the time period. Having wild hair and a beard comes with the part. “To me it is important to obtain credibility through reality. We do everything 100% here at Gudvangen.” Inspired by the legend of Harald the Fine-Haired, who did not
- Njord was the god of trade, shipping and farming, a god of prosperity and fertility. These activities were in the olden days under their particular god’s protection. Many names in the region prove that Njord was their protector. - Located at the beginning of the Nærøyfjord, or Njardarfjord as called in Old Norse, Gudvangen was situated ideally in terms of trading possibilities. The fjord was the link between East and West. For people who lived inland, such as those who lived in the Voss area, the Nærøyfjord was their first encounter with the treacherous sea. They could not use this sea for travelling unless they were on good terms with the sea god, Njord. Consequently, it was to Njord they prayed when they came out on the open sea. The village was also close to the lowest mountain pass, so the town could be frequented longer due to less snow.
cut his hair until Norway was gathered under one king, Hansen has vowed to not cut his hair or beard until he has opened the door to his first Viking house.
The Viking Market is held 16-21 July For the full programme of the Viking Market, please visit: www.njardar-vikinglag.no For more information, please visit: www.vikingvalley.no www.gudvangen.com
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 17
Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Puijo Tower
The perfect view over Finnish Lakeland Take in the spectacular views from Kuopio’s most distinctive landmark, the Puijo Tower, while enjoying a meal in its rotating restaurant. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the observation tower, which continues to draw visitors from near and far. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Courtesy of Puijon Huippo Oy
Standing on top of the 150-metre-high Puijo hill, the scenery that stretches out in different directions includes forests, lakes and the centre of Kuopio, a city set in central Finland and the Finnish Lakeland region. Known as a popular lookout spot since the early 19th century, the views from the hill have delighted both citizens and travellers to Kuopio, and inspired celebrated artists, who have written and sung about the beauty of the landscape. “The view from the tower is exceptionally vast and beautiful. One on side, you have untouched nature, and on the other, the city centre. On a clear day, you can see as far as 60 kilometres in all directions. Here,
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you can witness the nature of the Finnish lake district in all its magnificence and splendour,” says Tiina Heinonen from Puijon Huippu Oy. The 75-metre-high Puijo Tower, with its top reaching 306 metres above sea level, is the third observation tower on the same spot. The first tower, a 16-metre-high construction out of wood, was built in 1856, while 50 years later, a 24-metrehigh brick tower replaced it.
Puijo towers, the old brick tower and the new tower. Photo by Eino Malm, 1963. Source: Kuopio Cultural History Museum.
When Puijo Tower opened in 1963, it quickly became a popular attraction, with around 200,000 visitors in its first year.
Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Puijo Tower
Over the years the tower has seen plenty of famous guests as well, including President Urho Kekkonen and the Shah of Persia. Today, around 80,000 visitors make their way to Puijo Tower every year. A year of superb events, food and wine The jubilee festivities at Puijo Tower include events throughout the whole year. Some of the highlights include a gravitydefying performance by Italian The Vertical Dance Company Il Posto on the side of the actual tower, taking place on 19 June as part of the Kuopio Dance Festival; special events on the anniversary of the opening and inauguration of the tower on 27 July and 11 August respectively; and an outdoor screening of the Finnish film Pähkähullu Suomi (Insane Finland), the most watched film of 1967, parts of which were actually shot in Puijo Tower, in September. Puijo Tower Restaurant’s popular Puijo menu will also be available at other restaurants in Kuopio throughout the summer of 2013, and the restaurant itself will be serving its own anniversary menu together with white, red and sparkling wine with Puijo
Photo: Vesa Toivanen
Tower labels. Visitors can also enjoy Puijo pastries prepared especially by local Patisserie Bebe and Tower beer. A rotating restaurant and cosy hotel The rotating restaurant of Puijo Tower is naturally known for the breathtaking views it affords of the surrounding landscape, but the high quality of its food and the locally inspired menus top off the entire dining experience. “Our visitors tell us that they really enjoy sitting in the rotating restaurant, in a peaceful setting, while taking in the scenery – it creates a perfect vacation day,” says Heinonen. At Puijo Tower Restaurant, you can choose between the three-course Puijo, Savonia and Finland menus or take your pick from the other à la carte options. A threecourse lunch menu is also available on weekdays. “We source our ingredients from the local area as much as possible, whenever the season allows it, and our menus are def-
initely very Finnish. No matter the season, however, two dishes will always be served – the fried pike-perch and the ‘mustikkakukko’ [a Savonian-style blueberry pie],” adds Heinonen. Puijo Tower’s offerings are complemented by the cosy hotel and lunch restaurant Puijon Maja set at the foot of the tower. It offers inexpensive accommodation in the midst of beautiful nature yet close to the city centre of Kuopio.
Puijo Tower is located in the middle of Kuopio, only a few kilometres from its famous market place. It is open all year round. Summer opening hours (6 June until 31 August): Mon - Sat 10 am-9 pm Sun 10 am-7 pm Midsummer, 21- 23 June, 10 am-4 pm (restaurant is closed)
For more information, please visit: www.puijo.com
Photos: Mikko Mäntyniemi
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 19
: ME AY E H L T ORW A I N EC IN SP IGN S DE
Norwegian design finding new frontiers In the beginning, some six decades ago, Norwegian design was associated with aesthetics and the appearance aspect of the products. Since then design has become more widespread, specialised and professionalized. Now it is the user who is in the centre, and the designer’s task is to interpret and translate the users’ needs into new and innovative concepts. By Jan R. Stavik, Managing Director of the Norwegian Design Council
Design has been an important factor for the Norwegian brands that have enjoyed international success, names such as Håg, Luxo, Jøtul, Jordan and Helly Hansen. In 1965, Helly Hansen received its first Award for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council. In 2013, the company received the award for the twelfth time. In the intervening years, Helly Hansen has established itself as an international player in skiing, sailing, wilderness activities and training – and has also become a popular brand among urban youth. By putting engineers together with leading industrial and interaction designers, we
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achieve many interesting innovations that break with established thinking. Take last year’s ‘Ulstein Bridge Vision’, an innovative approach to ship navigation that was realised when Ulstein Group opted to think anew rather than simply rehash another version of an old solution. The travel sector also offers several good examples of what design can add. Take Voss village, which uses sure-fire selfirony to place itself on the map as a destination that sets itself apart. Today, the Norwegian Design Council is one of the largest design councils in Europe. We consider this proof that the Nor-
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
wegian Design Council has been successful in convincing politicians of the importance of design to future Norwegian value creation. Designbasen.no is Norway’s leading design portal. Here, design agencies and freelancers can market their services, and businesses can find the design expertise they are seeking. A growing number of businesses are using design as an innovation tool to come up with competitive products and services. Our surveys have also shown that companies working strategically with design are twice as innovative as other companies. Design is also essential in promoting good Norwegian values such as openness, accessibility and equal opportunities for all. In recent years, design has contributed to improving everything from train compartments to polling stations and parks.
The Norwegian Design Council draws on 50 years’ experience in the strategic use of design, and our goal is to make Norwegian companies and businesses even better at reaping success!
Top left: Scandinavian Business Seating, HÅG SoFi, Award for Design Excellence 2013. Right: Jan R. Stavik in the chair Copenhagen made by Tveit & Tornøe for Fora Form – Norwegian Design Council. Below left: Helly Hansen Sailor jacket L-338 – Design award 1968. Right: Ulstein Bridge Vision – Illustration from The School of Architecture and Design in Oslo.
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 21
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Quality Hotel 33, Oslo
Architect with a passion “Trends come with crises,” says interior architect Lars Helling. “When things are going well nobody sees any reason for change. They just try to make things a little more fantastic.” By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Lars Helling Architects Oslo
Through a career spanning three decades, interior architect Lars Helling has seen plenty of trends come and go. Helling graduated from the Polytechnic of Central London in 1978, and after working as a residential architect for ten years, he eventually found his calling in interior architecture. “Ever since I was a student I have had more of an interest for interior design than building houses,” says Helling. “I even wrote my dissertation on the boutique Seditionaries Vivienne Westwood opened with Malcolm McLaren in London in 1977.”
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Helling brings a lot of contrasting influences with him to his work. He grew up in Oslo listening to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; he spent ten years in the United States experiencing the hippie movement in San Francisco in the late 60s; and he lived in London during the infamous punk era a decade later. “One of the criteria as a designer, whether you design hotel rooms or wellington boots, is passion for aesthetics. You are fascinated by everything from sunglasses to music. And clothes, how people walk,
body language, where you go on holiday or what a chair looks like. Even how you put your clothes on in the morning. Either you have that interest, or you do not,” says Helling. Never quite finished From his passion for interior design he started his architectural firm, Lars Helling Architects Oslo, founded in 1992 and based in the Norwegian capital. “What I do is hotel design. That is my niche,” says Helling. Twenty-one years after its creation, Helling's firm has become a significant actor on the Scandinavian market, working with the major chains. “There are two things that excite me about working with hotels. The projects are large, and they are varied. A hotel is never
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
quite finished, and 80% of what we do is refurbishing. One year there are 150 rooms that need to be refurbished, and the year after it is the reception area or the restaurant,” says Helling. “But what I love most about the hotel business is people. Hotel people are service-minded, happy and positive. I meet a lot of good people through my work.” Two major impacts “In Norway, 99% of all hotels are three- or four-star offers, and most of them are a bit worn and dusty. The five-star hotels, on the other hand, can be incredibly exclusive but still very traditional. “It seems to be all about bows and pillows, the notion being that if you put ten pillows on a bed instead of five, things become more fantastic. This is nonsense,” says Helling. He says there have been recent crises with impact on the hotel business, and as such his own business; the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, and the demise of Lehman Brothers in 2008. “When the financial crisis hit, business travel was radically reduced, and my
Quality Hotel 33, Oslo
clients felt it. All of a sudden manufacturers noticed they had problems selling products that their star designers had designed for them. That opened up opportunities for new people to introduce themselves. New designers are graduating every year, and when traditional design struggles, there is an opportunity for these people to show off new things, often cool, refreshing and inexpensive,” he explains.
are a lot of interesting and exciting things happening,” says Helling. Helling is always looking forward, excited to see what happens next and what challenges are yet to come. He is happy with the size of his architectural firm and has no plans to expand. “We are like a band, a small office of three to four people. And that is how I like it.”
A new hotel scene In the wake of the financial crisis rose a new hip and urban hotel scene, celebrating the young and untraditional. “There
For more information, please visit: www.larshelling.no
Top left: Hotel Gothia Triple Towers, Gothenburg, West Coast Restaurant. Below: Hotel Gothia Triple Towers, Gothenburg, Heaven wine bar. Middle: Comfort Hotel Grand Central, Oslo. Top right: Comfort Hotel Grand Central, Oslo, lobby lounge. Below: Comfort Hotel Xpress, Oslo, reception area.
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 23
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Photo: KADABRA Produktdesign
Design-driven innovation from EGGS Design EGGS Design is a Norwegian design company with offices in Oslo and Trondheim. It was formed in 2012 as a result of a merger between design companies Kadabra and Oslo D, and today it employs 22 people. “We are a company with a relatively short life but long history,” says EGGS CEO Ulla Sommerfelt. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: EGGS Design
EGGS Design was established with a desire to create a design consultancy with the ability to take on high-complexity projects that need a broad range of design disciplines. EGGS focuses solely on the development of services and products, thus digging into the core business of its customers. The designers at EGGS get challenged by serviceintensive areas like healthcare and public services and by technology-intensive industries like maritime and oil and energy. “We live and work in an increasingly complex world, and we see that the need to create services and products around people is increasing. We need to simplify things, and to do that we need to take a holistic approach,” Sommerfelt continues.
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When EGGS won the competition for designing the election experience, it was important to take a holistic approach. An important democratic principle is that everyone should be able to vote and to vote unaided. Other perspectives, like for example the need for storing the voting material in between the elections also needed to be taken into account. The result of the project is a wellthought-through voting process and materials, including ballots, ballot boxes, booths, signage and graphic features. The concept was implemented with significant success and was used by more than half of Norwegian voting districts in 2011.
Sommerfelt expresses optimism about the future by concluding: “We are passionate in helping our customers make technology make sense to people and to create services that are designed with people in mind. Both in our professional and private lives we’ve become increasingly dependent on technology. We have enough technology; we now need to start focusing on making it work in the best way for human beings.”
For more design-driven innovation projects, please visit: www.eggsdesign.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
“This platform offers pre-constructed plugins that we can use to build a more individual site. Using an open platform also reduces the costs as more of the client’s budget can go towards design and development. That makes us an inexpensive alternative to a larger bureau,” says Kokkersvold. In addition to building a site from scratch, Studio Netting can also help you improve the performance of an existing site. Through a website analysis you can learn more about how to increase your visitor traffic, visibility in social media, search engine optimization and more. Kokkersvold says the focus, in every case, will be on the client’s needs and how to reach it within their budget. Illustration by Studio Netting
Studio Netting – a personal approach to web design Why are you online? With their unique combination of tailor-made solutions, beauty and ease of use, website design bureau Studio Netting helps you find the purpose of your online presence. ByJulie Lindén | Photos: Studio Netting
“Some companies offer very plain out-ofthe-box products that fail to consider each client’s needs, and more importantly, the needs of their website users. We tailormake every website and its design to fit the exact needs of the company we are working with,” says Kristin Kokkersvold, UX designer at Studio Netting.
Although small in size and staff, this Oslobased bureau designs websites for a wide variety of companies. If you have paid an online visit to fashion magazine STYLEmag or interior design e-shop Verket Interiør, you have made use of some of Studio Netting’s creations – all based on the open platform structure of WordPress.
“I will often ask clients what their goal is by being present online. Many people assume you just have to be, but often fail to consider their purpose for such a presence. We can help them by teaching ways to measure traffic, or conducting what we call a ‘user test’ – simply observing the users performing key tasks on the website.” Covering three main areas of competence – programming, user experience and design – Studio Netting has seen many of their clients increase their traffic and sales by significant margins. Kokkersvold boils the success down to a combination of quality, competence and a simple but personal approach. “We are a small bureau focused on achieving the goals of our clients by understanding their needs and meeting them with effective, beautiful and user focused solutions. It’s an all-round service that really works.”
Left: Studio Netting did web design for the awardwinning fashion magazine STYLEmag. Right: UX designer and partner Kristin Kokkersvold. Photo: Gry Monica Hellevik.
For more information, please visit: www.studionetting.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 25
Small numbers, huge impact In 2001, 19-year-old designer Kristian Grønevet was working for a large advertising agency in Oslo, Norway. Stuck in a world of deadlines and budget restrictions, he wanted something different. He wanted to work in a setting that focused on the important things: the client, the great projects and pushing boundaries, visual as well as technological. Not being able to find this, he decided to create it, and thus onezero designbureau was born. By Hannah Gillow Kloster | Photos: onezero
Grønevet explains that he wanted “to try making things simpler, more real, with more interaction with clients, and ultimately, just make some really good projects”. The way he went about this was making sure onezero consists of only designers – no salespeople, no middle management, only five designers passionate about doing truly great work. This ground-breaking set-up has led to some spectacular and innovative campaigns and identities. When asked if it is
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hard to get a solid client base with no sales people, Grønevet simply states that “the work seems to speak for itself”. Based on their portfolio, which showcases corporate giants such as BMW, Microsoft, Nokia and Ferrari, there can be no doubt this statement is true. With such an impressive list of clients, it might have been easy for onezero to get stuck in the corporate world. Nothing, however, could be less true. Their most significant projects in recent years com-
prise an art hall rebranding and several projects for “Design Uten Grenser”, or Design Without Borders, of which onezero is part. Design Without Borders is a project run by the Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway, Norsk Form, and works with designers and companies in developing countries. Onezero’s most internationally recognised project focused on reducing head injuries in Uganda by designing helmets that are not only comfortable in the heat but also look really cool. By focusing on the possibility to “pimp up” the helmet, the project aims to make wearing them attractive to Uganda’s many motorbike taxi drivers. Onezero collaborated with Norsk Form on the Ugandan helmet project, which was widely recognized in international design
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
circles. Grønevet explains that the helmet and corresponding project were exhibited at the contemporary design museum Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt in New York – an honour rarely (if ever before) bestowed on Norwegian design companies, much less such a small one as onezero. Size is perhaps one of the factors that attracts clients to onezero – the combination of huge global customers with the relatively tiny size of the company allows for some pretty direct client-designer interaction. However, onezero has no preferred customer or client base. As Grønevet explains, they like “clients who want to try pushing boundaries, and do something cool, something that attracts attention.” This is certainly true of the Grenland Kunsthall project. When the Oslo art hall Grenland Kunsthall came to onezero for a logo/identity, onezero took that job seriously. Grønevet explains that they “started by mapping the unique factors of the Grenland neighbourhood, starting with the industrial history that has formed the area”. The resulting design drew widespread attention, which turned into a media storm to protect the brand’s new visual identity. The artwork is now so prolific that even Norwegian comedian Knut Nærum has been seen sporting their T-shirt on national
television. One could ask, why were emotions running so high over a simple logo? Perhaps because the stark black X against a glaring yellow background is so bold and unapologetic – something of a signature for onezero. As a company situated at the cross-section between design and technology, Grønevet explains that “onezero creates everything from full-blown brand identities to interactive solutions, websites and apps, and anything in between.” By seeking to push the boundaries of not only their clients but also themselves, the designers at onezero are always open to new challenges. “It is important to make something great and have an exciting job, to constantly
learn and develop,” Grønevet exclaims, revealing the passion behind onezero’s many fascinating projects. He further explains that the designers at onezero will “encourage clients to think differently, to give us freedom to analyse the situation and see what is really needed. We should not design a new logo if what they actually need is a new interactive solution.” By creating a flexible, dynamic and, above all, direct exchange between client and designer, onezero has quickly become a huge player in the Norwegian design market, despite their comparatively small size. Sticking closely to the philosophies that formed the company, and not letting success steer them away from enjoyment, innovation and passion, onezero is continuing to create different and interesting solutions that engage and entice on a global scale. With their hugely diverse portfolio there is no saying where onezero will go next, but what is certain is that it will not be bland or boring, whatever it is. Left: Kristian Grønevet, founder of onezero
For more information, please visit: www.onezero.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 27
Extreme industrial design from Voss Per Finne’s recipe for success is combining his passions with his design. The result is sporty yet characteristic Scandinavian design. By Anette Berve | Photos: Per Finne
Living and working in Voss, a town known as the extreme sports capital of Norway, industrial designer Per Finne lets his passions inspire him. He brings elements of his active lifestyle and interest in extreme sports into his design, while his love for food and cooking has made him pursue many projects related to cooking. “I think closeness to nature has a lot to do with my inspiration, and I draw most of my creativity from natural shapes and forms, as well as the human body,” he explains. A graduate of the National College of Art and Design in Oslo, industrial design was not his first choice of direction. Had it not been for a nudge from a friend and a few
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serendipitous moments, the designer would have instead concentrated on becoming a graphic designer. Today, Finne’s signature design style has emerged from his broad variety of skills. “During my early years of studying, I focused a lot on learning every different technique when I should have focused on specializing in one particular field. It wasn’t until I started working on my own projects while teaching product design in Trondheim at NTNU that I understood what I was good at and really started perfecting that.” Mixing business with pleasure In 2001, Finne moved back home to the town of Voss with his family and started
his own company. With few clients, Finne worked on projects that inspired and sparked his interest. A line of cooking knives became the project that contributed towards understanding his direction of design. “A lot of people have praised me for daring to start on my own. I guess it might have been a bit naïve, but all I wanted was to move home and be my own boss. Luckily it turned out well.” When Norway’s best freestyle skier, Kari Traa, needed a signature helmet for her collection of sportswear for women, Finne was chosen to create a design with the sporty yet feminine woman in mind. “I enjoy combining my personal interests with my profession. That is how I ended up working with Kari Traa as we share a love for the same sport.” Finne’s designs have been widely recognised by his peers, and in 2009, he received the Norwegian Design
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
PER FINNE recently collaborated with Oneida,
ABOUT PER FINNE:
one of America’s largest producers of dinner-and
•
Born in Voss in 1968
kitchenware, to create four lines of flatware. The
•
Studied at the National College of Art and
designer had full creative freedom and was in charge of the overall design concept, products,
Design in Oslo •
packaging and product photos. The collection named Naturally Norwegian is inspired by
•
Norwegian nature, a popular source of inspiration for the designer. “It is exciting that Norwegian
Worked as associate professor in product design at NTNU in Trondheim Won the Norwegian Design Council’s Award for Design Excellence in 2009, 2010 and 2013
•
Clients include: Stokke, Kari Traa,
design is becoming such a strong brand and that
Hardanger Bestikk, DB Equipment AS,
our approach to form and function appeals to the
Oneida
Photo: STOKKE
worldwide market.”
Council’s Award for Design Excellence for his helmet design. Observer When embarking on a project, Finne spends a lot of time sketching and observing how different people use the same product. Especially when working on designing lines of flatware for the popular Hardanger Bestikk, he wanted to see how different age groups interacted with the same product. “I had already designed cutlery before, and one thing I had noticed in particular is that people hold cutlery very differently, whether it be down to preference or maybe difficulties with their fine motor skills.” His research culminated in the user-friendly Tuva line of cutlery.
spired wooden kitchenware. Finne draws similarities between the simplistic design from Japan and the Scandinavian style. “As a student I was taught to always peel everything back to the minimal. The shape and form itself should always be enough. Traditionally, function and practicality are equally as important to the Scandinavian customer as aesthetics; however, I believe we Scandinavians take function for
granted. I believe that our different approach to design here in Scandinavia that is less driven by trend and more by creating a functioning product makes us more innovative.”
For more information, please visit: www.perfinne.no
From Voss to Tokyo and New York Finne explains that his focus on simple form and function has become a characteristic of his designs. “To me, the ideal is the merger of form and function. Aesthetics is not just about shape and form, but also about how the product feels, how our senses react to it.” His latest projects have taken Finne far away from Voss. This winter, he travelled to Tokyo to present a line of Japanese in-
Photo: DB Equipment
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 29
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Be brave together Norwegian communication agency Fasett always encourages its clients to stand out from the crowd. An impressive client portfolio and a number of prestigious awards prove that the company's strategy is working – courage brings success. By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Fasett
“We have both the experience and knowledge needed to develop successful branding and communication strategies. But more than anything, we are good at understanding each client and the business they are in,” says general manager Pål Hjorth Berge when asked why clients should choose Fasett. Since the company started out in 1993, they have had a number of well-known clients such as Total and Wintershall; Sandnes Sparebank, known for their unique visual identity; and DNV. Fasett also works with a number of international companies entering the Norwegian market. “International companies use us to communicate with the Norwegian audience. We help them build a strong, visible and attractive brand identity in Norway,” Berge continues. Fasett have no ready-made solutions to sell the client. Instead they work independently, offering the best advice to each individual client without it being based on
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a particular media or technological solution. Berge explains: “Every client is unique, and we are able to offer the best possible solutions to their problems. We listen to the client's needs, develop a longterm strategy and take responsibility for execution on all kinds of media like campaigns, websites, mobile phones and so on.” A perfect example of the work Fasett does is Wellbore, a Norwegian rapidly growing oil service company that needed to develop a stronger brand identity. Fasett created a communication strategy which included a complete rebranding of the company, providing them with a new visual identity, website and sales material. Fasett's work within communication and design has resulted in a number of prestigious awards, the latest being the “Farmandspris” in 2012 for the DNV annual report. They also received the red dot award in 2010 for their packaging design of Suldal Skinka, a cured ham made in Suldal in
western Norway. A final example is “The Award of Excellence”, awarded to Fasett by the Norwegian Design Council for their success in developing a unique identity and position for the bank Sandnes Sparebank. “Fundamental to our success are our committed employees and the cooperation we have with our clients, which is based on trust and mutual respect. We dare to be brave together!” Berge concludes.
For more information, please visit: fasett.no
A profile for Norges Husflidlag [Norway's handicrafts organisation]
Responsive websites for Steamline
Brochures for the real estate industry
A strategic design bureau Norwegian design bureau Tress Design wants to know everything about its clients in order to showcase their businesses in the best possible fashion. By Ingvild Vetrhus | Photos: Tress Design
“Anyone can make a pretty design, but we wish to create something that can be a part of, as well as illustrate, what a company stands for,” says senior designer and manager Gunn Buverud Haugen. Tress Design values high quality and integrity, and its designers make sure that, regardless of the size of the project, their hard work shines through in the final product. The design bureau, which is located in Kristiansand, southern Norway, opened in 2008 and has plenty of experience creating everything from identity and editorial design to signage, information design, exhibition stands and web design.
A variety of companies and organisations use Tress Design as a full-service agency, and its broad client list includes nurseries, oil engineering companies and jewellers, making the bureau a specialist in adapting to different industries and styles. “Our clients inspire us,” explains Haugen, who has been working in the design industry for 25 years. “When they start working with us, they stay with us. We have a very good relationship with our clients.” The company’s strategic design approach ensures that the product is carefully developed and based on the client’s core business idea. Haugen explains that the
designers at Tress Design approach a new project by getting to know the client. “We visit our clients in order to get to know them better so that we can create a design that presents the company as a whole,” she says. Tress Design operates according to the principle that design is one of the most powerful tools used to communicate with the market. They aim to produce a design that has a practical function, inspires growth and provides businesses with an innovative new trademark. Run by three experienced designers, Tress Design is known for producing clear and simple designs in which their clients can recognise their own values and service models. “If our design makes the customer proud, it creates a positive vision for us,” says Haugen.
For more information, please visit: tressdesign.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 31
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Mind the scrap When Orangeriet design and advertising agency was challenged to create Norway's most innovative recycling centre, they found their inspiration in the London and New York metro systems. The result was “Subwaste”. By Magnus Nygren Syversen | Photos: Vegard Fimland
Colour-coded navigational lines stretch across the basement floor of Galleriet, one of Bergen's largest shopping malls. Reminiscent of the lines found on a London tube map, their function is to guide employees to the correct corner of Norway's most inviting recycling centre. Follow the red line for cardboard and paper, orange for food waste and blue for plastic. “This was a dream job for us. Concept development is one of our strengths, so it was very exciting for us to work on such a different and challenging project,” says creative director Anita Steinstad. Galleriet's brief for Orangeriet was to create an innovative and user-friendly recycling centre for employees. They wanted something they could be proud of. To give them just that, the designers at Orangeriet
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found their inspiration in the world's most popular metropolises, gathering the impulses of big city life and bringing them to life within the walls of a shopping centre in Norway's second largest city. Because the recycling station is below ground level, the designers decided to bring in elements from the underground metro systems and came up with their tube-inspired concept branded “Subwaste”. “This is our homage to the London Underground,” says Steinstad. Orangeriet gained a lot of attention both nationally and internationally for the “Subwaste” project, winning the acclaimed diploma at the Golden Pencil Award in Norway, as well as receiving a bronze medal in the European Design Awards. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this sum-
mer, Orangeriet has built up an impressive portfolio of clients ranging from banks to the Norwegian Lottery Fund, and a great reputation as brand consultants in Norway. “Our goal for the future is to work more with international clients and collaborators, regardless of size. We have had the opportunity to work with international associates before, and it has been an exciting process for us. We hope to open our doors for further international business,” says Steinstad.
For more information, please visit: www.orangeriet.no
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Creative director Axel Lavin
Picture perfect Stir animation studio has only been around for a year and a half but is already working with a number of well-known clients in Norway. Consisting of only four people, Stir has a wealth of in-house experience to rival even some of the largest animation studios, creating animations for a number of media. By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Stir
Creative director Axel Lavin and senior motion designer Øystein Relbo-Knutsen co-founded Stir in November 2011 after working in the animation industry for a number of years. Lavin says: “I had worked on my own for a while when Øystein and I started Stir together. There are four of us now, soon to be five.” All four are experienced animators, and RelboKnutsen has won a number of prestigious awards such as Gulltaggen, Visuelt, London International Award, Gullblyanten and The One Show. Stir specialises in animation, graphics, VFX, 3D and direction. The studio creates animations for TV, online and film, and has already amassed an impressive client portfolio, consisting of well-known Noregian companies such as Statoil, Skanska
and Gjensidige. Another well-known client is Grafill, the Norwegian Association for Visual Communication and the organizer of Visuelt, the largest yearly event within Visual Communication in the Nordic countries. Visuelt is an inspiring event, consisting of awards, seminars and exhibitions. The aim is to motivate and bring people within the creative industry together. The highlight of the event is the Visuelt Awards, paying tribute to the most
successful professionals within the industry. This year, Stir worked closely with the composer and the designers from design agency Bielke+Yang to create the perfect video teaser for the event. At the same time, they were nominated for two awards in the Moving Image category at the Visuelt Awards 2013 – Best Infographics and Best Advert. The key to Stir’s success lies in its ability to adapt, be creative and thorough, while focusing on the big picture. The studio works on everything from 2D animations to advanced 3D projects, but the goal is always the same: to communicate the client’s message in the best way possible. Lavin explains: “No matter what the project is we always create an integral concept, making sure everything from sound to colour work well together. We are good at finding the right style in order to best communicate what the client wants to say.” For more information, please visit: www.stir.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 33
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
The power of correct marketing Three women challenge their clients to think outside the box and trust their marketing experience to attract the attention they need. With a motto to power up their clients’ marketing results, the women behind Spiren Design use their broad design skills to tailor digital and marketing solutions for a large variety of clients. “We all have a different design style that gives us an advantage when we create new products. In our team, we all contribute to create the best result possible,” explains chief designer Iren Beathe Teigen. Bank card design The bureau is experienced in delivering digital and print marketing solutions but specializes in bank card design, as one of few in Norway. “The skills to design bank cards take a long time to perfect, and our colleague Silje Breimo has 13 years of experience in the field as a card designer.” With clients ranging from Forex Bank, Handels-
banken and Punjab National Bank to Gjensidige, the company has extensive knowledge and is familiar with the Visa and MasterCard manual for designing cards. Teigen explains that they draw on their education in art and design to come up with innovative and exciting expressions. “In this industry it is important to have a solid professional background while staying on top of trends – to utilize previous design and typography while knowing how to renew it.” Logo design Spiren Design has developed marketing profiles for several local food companies, including Orrhaugen farm. Their goal is to make sure that the client´s brand stands out from their competition in a positive manner. “We embark on a project by
Unique product and industrial design from Swoon Fredrikstad-based Swoon is a Norwegian design agency that was formed in 2013 by product and industrial designers Caecilia V. Wernersen, Siri Syversen and Trine Holen Lund, who have complementary backgrounds from Norway, the Netherlands and the UK. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Swoon
Swoon assists its clients with concepts and designs for small and large productions, from idea to finished product. The objective is to create positive and beautiful experiences for users through their products (furniture and packaging) and services.
Most of their clients are local, but they want to work nationally and internationally. They are already working towards a Danish company. “Our competitive advantage is the combined broad complementary expertise between us and the flexibility offered by a small company,” explains Syversen.
From left, Silje, Mette and Iren Beathe are the women behind Spiren Design
defining the client and their competition. That way we can assess how to ensure that their brand attracts potential clients. We sometimes need to dare the client to do something different than normal, but we are confident that we can create a unique profile for everyone.” By Anette Berve | Photo: Spiren Design
For more information, please visit: www.spirenett.no
“More than 70% of all revenue generated comes from services,” continues Syversen. Thus Swoon’s focus will be increasingly on service design, which means they aim to design services which look after the users by making them as simple as possible to use. So how does Swoon see the future? “We will continue designing furniture and packaging products. With industrial manufacturing in decline in Scandinavia, it will be our ability to create competitive services that will be essential in the future,” replies Syversen. “With service design having the largest market potential, Swoon, with its unique expertise, can offer analysis on the challenges of our clients and base new service designs on the research findings,” concludes Syversen.
For more information on Swoon’s unique designs, please visit: www.swoon.no
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Left: Creative Manager Thomas Anfinsen and General Manager Espen Erfjell
Strategic advice & innovative design from Play Reklamebyrå Play Reklamebyrå is a small advertising agency formed in 2005, with five employees that have access to a broad network of freelance specialists. Based centrally in Oslo’s old shoemaker quarter alongside a jazz bar and clothes importers in Grensen, they offer services such as consulting, design, content/PR, interactive, social media and film. By Stian Sangvig | Photos: Play Reklamebyrå
“With a few employees possessing complementary skills and access to freelancers, we want to stay small to offer flexible solutions to small and large clients,” general manager Espen Erfjell explains. “Our size and flexibility allow us to complete assignments with tight deadlines when larger advertising companies need longer project and delivery times. This is essential today when faster pace shifts are more important to certain industries to adapt to the competitive environment. “We stay informed of trends and technology, which is why clients approach Play to form a communication strategy,” Erfjell says. In the US, short films online or on YouTube are increasingly used in market communica-
tions (80% of businesses) as tools to facilitate insight into product and supplier benefits. “Norway is catching up quickly,” he says. “A digital strategy including film is a benefit when 90% of consumers seek inspiration online. We develop films for small and large organisations with the intention of turning more homepage visitors into purchasing customers. Our combined communication specialism and film-making form our strength. “Our goal is to have one third of revenue coming from new clients. This will broaden our horizon and help maintain an innovative edge as clients have different needs. “We want Play Reklamebyrå to be perceived as a strategic partner by our clients
through staying on until the project is successfully implemented. In order to achieve this we are offering a ‘Performance Marketing’ service, which means we will measure every aspect of a campaign, for example, hit rate on search engines, homepage and social media. “This will allow us to highlight strengths and learn from weaknesses, on behalf of our clients,” Erfjell concludes.
Play Reklamebyrå is located in Oslo’s old shoemaker quarter.
For more information, please visit: www.playreklame.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 35
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Interactive web solutions in a high-paced age Why waste time going to several different sources and companies for web development and services? Vidi, a total provider of Internet services, is a leading company that has understood the challenges of today’s fast-paced environment.
file. We deliver high-quality interactive website designs specified towards target groups.
By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Vidi
Uniquely, Vidi, with some employees boasting over ten years of experience in developing and delivering web projects, is one of very few companies that delivers websites and web solutions that include everything technically possible within responsive design.
“Another vital factor is online shopping; to help the client experience significant financial growth in a short time, we build up an interactive high-quality setting for the customers to purchase our clients’ products. This includes app development and marketing through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn,” Dahl elaborates.
“We can offer several solutions to increase the client’s online presence,” Dahl says. “These include, among other things, the web design, the company’s external pro-
The award-winning company has understood the importance of a significant online presence as online shopping and interaction are ever increasing.
Through a logical and thorough seven-step process, Vidi develops a website into a responsive platform, automatically adaptable to all screen sizes to target the increasingly large group of customers “on the go”. “Mobile phones and iPads are the new media customers are using to find and research what they need of products; 38 per cent of the average daily media interaction is done on smartphones,” Cecilie Dahl, manager and CEO of Vidi, says.
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Left: Vidi develops websites into a responsive platform, automatically adaptable to all screen sizes.
Having proved to be a vastly successful approach, Vidi’s innovative method has ensured the Bergen-based company’s growth, as far as their own produced services are concerned, and also certified a close relationship with customers.
“Twenty-five per cent of hits on a website can come from mobile units; that’s why the sites we produce will automatically adapt to various screen sizes so that whoever we are making the site for won’t lose customers to a competitor,” Dahl says. The seven steps is a method Vidi developed to securely help their clients in successfully increasing their online presence. “One of the phases we work through is insight, where we scrutinise the company’s current situation, their strengths and weaknesses, to discover the challenges ahead, such as potential competitors, and get insight into the market and target groups, and obviously inspect the possibilities within the medium. “Furthermore, this will help us understand what strategy and tactics we should implement to build and develop the brand
to become as strong as possible. One of our greatest strengths is the ability to continue to develop the existing brand and transform it for the web, before we start thinking about ideas and concepts. “This is, simply speaking, how we can develop the medium to, in the best way possible, realise whatever ambitions the clients have. “We subsequently move on to web design, a process where we work closely with the client to ensure that the chosen design nurtures and develops the brand’s uniqueness, and that the design offers a solution to ensure the client will succeed online. “When completed, we focus on technical issues, before testing, and finally handing the product over to the client,” Dahl explains.
“We have just recently signed a deal with Egmont Hjemmet Mortensen to design an app for their parenting segment, and this will, together with our website called babyporten.no, present an interactive and very accessible information platform on pregnancy and parenting. “Another very interesting project is a consumer service for insurance customers, called forsikringsavtale.no. This is mainly a site helping to find people the cheapest and best insurance to cover their needs. “This is a project where we cooperate with several of the largest insurance companies around, and towards the summer, there will also be a similar site developed aimed towards real estate and consumer loans,” Dahl says. For more information, please visit: www.vidi.no
Left to right: Christian Østrem, Cecilie Dahl & Per Otto Romøren. The company is located in the centre of Nesttun, right by the Bergen Light Rail.
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 37
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Digital designers with an ethical agenda The digital design company Design Container from Oslo have an equally strong focus on charity projects as they have on perfecting their clients’ digital profile. By Anette Berve | Photos: Design Container
Design Container is an Oslo-based design bureau that delivers web solutions, digital marketing, logo and brand design. Founded by husband and wife Michael and Linn-Cecilie Linnemann in 2006, Design Container had a vision to create a company that challenged the traditional design bureau structure. With experience from sales and marketing in Denmark, the two wanted a career change when moving to Oslo. With a limited professional network, the two boldly decided to start on their own. “Initially we wanted to work in bureaus for a few years to establish a solid portfolio and network
38 | Issue 53 | June 2013
but quickly decided to jump at the chance to start on our own,” says Linn-Cecilie Linnemann. Challenging their peers Linn-Cecilie has a background in media and communications with work experience from Denmark and England, and Michael as an art director and designer. They shared a goal to rethink the bureau structure and base their projects on hiring carefully selected freelancers. Though having reverted to a more “normal” company structure with 10 designers on the team, Linn-Cecilie explains that they still maintain a strong focus on standing out
from the crowd. “Norway is a small country, and for clients it can be difficult to distinguish between the bureaus and understand how they differ from each other. In our profession you need to dare to be more precise when it comes to defining our strengths. This is also a challenge for us.” She describes Design Container as a company that makes sure to always see the bigger picture. Since their strength lies in creating a complete brand and digital strategy, Linn-Cecilie feels it is important to understand the client and their industry. “We tend to work with fewer clients at a time rather than having heaps of projects running simultaneously. That way we can devote ourselves to our client and make sure that we deliver strong strategic designs. To us, for example, blue
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
is not just a pretty colour, it needs to have a reason and a function.” Linn-Cecilie underlines the importance of viewing a client’s profile as a whole and merging a new digital design profile with the client’s existing brand, including an existing graphical expression and its message.
Linn-Cecilie Linnemann on a field trip to Karamoja, Uganda, where they work with Designers Without Borders to design user-friendly technology for the locals.
Recently Design Container delivered a complete profile and digital brand platform for the Norwegian industrial and financial group Ferd. It is an example that showcases their type of work perfectly.
Art director on this particular project, Christian Rene describes that the long history of the client played a part in the design. “The symbol represents past, present and future, to represent the importance of long-term goals. The logo needed to portray their future position while giving an impression of its strong values.” Aim to inspire
Design Without Borders' management is based at the Norwegian Form in Oslo. Design Without Borders uses the designers’ creative and analytical skills to solve challenges in developing countries. Using design in the development process leads to better living conditions, industrial business development and more efficient emergency relief.
Ferd
“When embarking on a large-scale project such as Ferd, it is important for us to research the industry and the company’s main competition to better understand how to design a suitable digital profile. I think not having in-depth knowledge of an industry tends to strengthen our result as we don’t have any existing preconceptions.”
Design Without Borders
The projects are developed in close collaboration with partners who have specific design needs. Projects are based on requirements for investment and participation of partners to ensure results with long-term effects.
something that gives their work a more practical meaning. DWB work to implement design methods in developing work based on low-maintenance technology and low-technology solutions. “Our participation in DWB allows us to rethink our skills as designers and work with a different set of goals and mind set.” The bureau is a collaborative partner with DWB and has an art director form ScanAd in Uganda working with them. “Working with a designer from another country gives us a different professional perspective. It is intriguing to see how design can play a part in projects such as this. We have discovered that design is a universal language,” Linn-Cecilie concludes.
Designer Øyvind Running handing out an award for best logo design at the Young Enterprise award show.
For more information, please visit: www.designcontainer.no www.facebook.com/designcontainer
Design Container is involved in inspiring and developing the future generations of digital designers in Norway, as well as assisting in volunteer projects in developing countries. They are a part of the jury in Young Enterprise and Techno Vision, a platform to promote and award young entrepreneurs. Inspiring young talent and giving them professional advice is something Linn-Cecilie gladly contributes to. “It is important to inspire and motivate the younger generation. Many companies don’t make time for it, but we open our doors to schools for their students and attend workshops to give them insight into the profession.” Working with development projects such as Design Without Borders (DWB) is
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 39
Tone Langli and Yngve Aasen moved from Oslo to Fredrikstad to find inspiration in the province.
crease in turnover and reaching a new market. An active and thorough design strategy proves beneficial to companies on a fundamental level. Encourage & inspire
Tone Langli and Yngve Aasen moved from Oslo to Fredrikstad to find inspiration in the provinces.
Heart and soul from the Provinces Provinsen feels strongly that design should be a profitable investment. Through strategic design they translate a company’s heart and soul into a strong visual identity. By Anette Berve | Photos: Provinsen
The company was founded in 2007 when Tone Langvik and Yngve Aasen moved from Oslo to Fredrikstad. “The name [translates as the Province] defined our move. We wanted to leave the city to see things from afar,” Langvik explains. “It gives us a fresh perspective to be out of the big city. The provinces offer limitless inspiration.”
Langvik refers to research conducted on behalf of the Norwegian Design Council in 2006 that states that the more integrated design is in a business profile, the more positive effect it has on, for example, in-
The designers enjoy challenging the audience’s pre-existing notions regarding their client’s brand. Their list of clients portrays a keen interest in collaborating with companies that offer any type of experience. Provinsen has worked with theatres, major art institutions as well as smaller entrepreneurs. “We collaborate with companies that intrigue us and we believe in and that give us a good vibe,” Langvik adds. “We love to see the projects and businesses that we’ve worked with grow and thrive.” Langvik explains that she finds joy in using design to encourage people to experience cultural activities and entice them through good visual marketing. “We want to create design that moves people, both emotionally and physically, meaning they feel inspired by what they see.” She underlines the importance of having a good dialogue with their clients to convey their vision correctly. “By collaborating with our clients from start to finish and making sure that they are a part of the whole design process, we feel that we are better equipped to design an authentic visual profile that the audience will understand and relate to.”
Uncovering the story Provinsen is a digital design company that develops design profiles and aids their clients in reaching their goals through visual communication. “We work closely with our clients and make it a point to understand and get to know them. It is important to us to find the genuine story behind the brand, the heart and soul of the company, and present that through design.”
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For more information, please visit: www.provinsen.no
Think outside the box: Creative and engaging advertising solutions A modern-thinking ad agency with a strong focus on communication concepts that aims to engage the target group and create dialogue, a Norwegian independent ad agency working with international clients – Little Anorak is best defined as an idea shop for marketers. By Didrik Ottesen | Photos: Anorak
“The Kaizervirus app” was developed by Anorak ahead of a new album release from the band Kaizers Orchestra; however, with all the music in the world easily available, the struggle for attention between artists is harder than ever before.
with the fans, and we consequently made a tool the songs would be released through, encouraging the app to be spread like a virus,” Krogsveen explains.
By thinking outside the box, Anorak developed an app where the fans spread the music from the new release as a “virus”, resulting in the app being the most popular on App Store and Google play, and the virus spreading to over 50 countries. “Our latest project, the Kaizervirus, is something we are extremely proud of,” says Jens Jørgen Krogsveen, creative leader of Anorak.
The band consequently, and impressively, experienced a 400 per cent fan activity increase on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and the album, Violeta Violeta Volum III, reached the number one spot on the Norwegian charts two days after its release. “We deliver content and communication that works, and I do believe that we do it somewhat differently to many others; the consciousness surrounding the role of communication separates us from others in the business,” Krogsveen says.
“Working with other companies, HES and Notch, we decided that the best advertising opportunity was to start a dialogue
Aiming to produce products that involve the target group and get them committed, Anorak developed an online game for
Wright Driving School, as the company was looking to expand. “It’s still a fact that youths often choose a driving school based on friends’ recommendations, and by moving Wright to the top of the target group’s consciousness and their centre stage, the Internet, we felt confident Wright Driving School would develop to be the obvious choice. “Hence we developed an online game, ‘How far are you willing to go for your licence’, where the only thing the player needed to do was to walk. The player who walked the furthest won, and subsequently also won a free driving licence. “We added certain obstacles and billboards, hits and tips from Wright, and therefore moved the driving school further forward in the youths’ consciousness,” Krogsveen explains.
For more information, please visit: anorak.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 41
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design in Norway
Spread the cooties, spread the joy Norwegian graphic designers Camilla Rørvik and Maria Torset had one thing in common when they graduated: they wanted to create designs that make people happy. So they started Pikelus, their very own design agency, and began to spread the joy they so wanted to create. A few years later they were making illustrations for some of Norway’s leading publishing houses. spread as fast as real cooties do. Torset says: “We chose the name because it's different, playful and fun – just like our designs.” Pikelus have created designs and illustrations for Gyldendal and CappelenDamm, two of Norway's leading publishing houses, as well as spreading their
Camilla Rørvik and Maria Torset
Rørvik and Torset founded Pikelus after graduating together from the Norwegian School of Creative Studies in Oslo. They both wanted to start their own company and shared the same idea: to spread joy through playful designs and illustrations. They decided to name their company “Pikelus”, which means “girl cooties”, because they wanted their happy designs to
joyous designs through clients such as Radio P4, clothing brand BikBok and Aftenposten, Norway's largest national newspaper. When the girls have time to spare, they make their own products, which are anything from postcards to pillows. Torset says: “It's more of a lifestyle than just a job, but we love it. Because our designs are quite different, we complete each other and we work really well together.” The girls have recently taken their first step towards the international market and have started working with American design agency ArtsCase on designing personal device covers. “We're very excited about this and hope that this is just the beginning. It is definitely time to spread the cooties across the border,” Rørvik concludes. For more information, please visit: By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Pikelus
For more information, please visit: www.pikelus.no
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Photo: Courtesy of Vandra Rugs
Photo: Courtesy of Givarps
Swedish design The hallmark of contemporary Swedish design is vital diversity. The deeply rooted perception of excellent Swedish design with simple stylistic consistency is no longer taken for granted. The conceptual process behind the final result is the decisive factor. Designers are not tied down to one country, but work around the world, sharing international references and contacts. By Ewa Kumlin, Svensk Form
This global outlook prompts designers to seek their personal roots, identity and craft – fulfilling a need for affiliation and continuity. Small design-led businesses with unique identities are enjoying a renaissance – telling their own stories and producing their products locally on a small scale. Several young designer collectives have emerged on the Swedish scene and helped to displace the highly individualistic trend of just a few years ago. The international success of Swedish design is also due to the many bold manufacturers who are willing to stake their futures on new young talents, yet without compromising on long-term quality.
Viable long-term developments are the biggest challenge of our day. We have no other choice: everyone has to work for sustainable development. Designers are a natural link between manufacturer and consumer. They can influence the integration of social, environmental and economic aspects into a product’s design, manufacture, marketing and communication. Global warming is an actue problem. Yet it also involves sustainability close to home: involving materials, quality and having a society accessible to everyone. Increasing numbers of manufacturers base their
work on an environmental policy that generates more added value and international competitiveness. Swedish design, with its long tradition and humanistic perspective is today perhaps more in demand than ever. SVENSK FORM (the Swedish Society of Craft and Design) is a membership society, the oldest society of design in the world, founded in 1845. Historically, Svensk Form has always been working in the forefront of new ideas and vision in the design and craft field, and has initiated several movements and milestone exhibitions throughout its time. Svensk Form publishes the design magazine FORM, produces exhibitions and works under the motto “A better life through good design.” Svensk Form is the founder of the Swedish Design Awards. www.swedishdesign.org
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 43
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Design
Give your cupcakes a taste of glamour Having trouble adding that extra something to your creations in the kitchen? Whether it is colour or culture, look no further: Swedish design company Kalasform might have the answer to your problems. By Elin Berta | Photos: Rikard Westman
Driven by her passion for baking, Christina Nilsson had enough of just being able to buy plain white muffin cases and simply decided to design her own in 2007. Colourful designs with flowers and butterflies made her products, all made in Sweden, increasingly popular, and today Kalasform has customers all over the world, with its Moomin design making the products well known in Japan. Recently, the popular open-air museum Skansen, located in Stockholm, handpicked the company to be one of the few manufacturers to represent their popular brand. “Skansen is a fantastic cultural treasure and I feel very honoured,” Christina says. “The museum has a special place in many Swedes’ hearts and is very popular
among foreign tourists. To get to use patterns from their collection of traditional Swedish clothing is truly inspiring.” Kalasform offers a wide range of products, from the small petit four cases to bread moulds. To put that final touch to your picnic, they also offer stylish picnic wrapping paper. Even though Christina not only owns the business but runs it and does all the designs as well, she still loves baking. “I don’t have as much time as before. But I probably still bake a lot more than the average person,” she says laughing.
For more information, please visit: www.kalasform.se
When high fashion meets functionality Kristin Kaspersen’s athletic frame seems made for the label, and singer Sarah Dawn Finer, known for her glamorous style and hourglass curves, has also been seen looking stunning in Gerente. “My clients are confident, uncompromising women with high standards,” says Silfverschiöld.
With a background as a sportswear designer for heavy hitters like H&M, Peak Performance and Björn Borg, Swedish fashion designer Maria Silfverschiöld has made a seamless transition to ladies evening wear with her own label Gerente. By Maria Malmros
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She relies on a concept she calls “addon”, meaning her clothes provide the base, but the woman runs with it, expressing her individuality by adding accessories. She has had the pleasure of seeing her designs on some high-profile ladies, all with their own distinct style. Ethereal beauty Swedish Princess Madeleine radiates in Maria Silfverschiöld.
Visionary at heart
Maria Silfverschiöld. Photo: Molamo
Photo: Lena Koller
Photo: Paulina Westerlind
Functionality continues to be a guiding light in her work. Silfverschiöld explains: “I want women to feel free and uninhibited in my designs.” To support ease of movement, some dresses feature built-in sports bras. Her label is easily recognisable by the fluid lines that accentuate the female form, regardless of a woman’s shape, or age.
About her tangible entrepreneurial drive, Silfverschiöld says: “I find inspiration everywhere, sometimes out of the blue, such as when waiting for the traffic lights to change…” If her past is any predictor of her future, her creative ideas will continue to haunt her, much to the delight of those with an appreciation for timeless elegance. For more information, please visit: www.gerente.se
Special Theme | Swedish Design
The new collection, which will be launched in autumn, will be more extravagant, containing a lot of brooches and hand jewellery, as well as shoulder jewellery. Two of Charlotte Bonde’s most important collections are Irma and the aforementioned Astrid. These two collections are an important part of her work and will be renewed with more courage and creativity, even though she will still maintain the classic lines.
Charlotte Ihre
Jewellery worthy of a princess Charlotte Ihre, who owns and designs for the successful Swedish jewellery brand Charlotte Bonde, describes her design style as classic and organic, with classic lines combined with a modern twist. By Cecilia Varricchio | Photos: Charlotte Bonde
Charlotte Ihre’s inspiration originates mostly from architecture, and her collection Astrid draws inspiration from Islamic and Moorish architecture in particular. Ihre explains that she usually finds stimuli through natural materials, shapes and textiles. Every single one of her jewellery pieces has a history behind it, which is something
Astrid Precious Amazon Bracelet
that Ihre considers essential. Also, every collection is the result of a thorough thinking process and always has a purpose. She aims to design creatively, while still making jewellery that is easy to wear and not too pretentious. Her pieces range from small to large and from artistic to commercial.
Astrid Precious Amazon Necklace
Charlotte Bonde has recently earned a lot of credit from fashion magazines both in Sweden and abroad. Even though Charlotte Bonde’s jewellery is worn by many celebrities, one of the brand’s most important ambassadors is the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria, who has been seen wearing Charlotte Bonde’s necklaces and earrings on several occasions. You will find Charlotte Bonde’s amazing creations in her concept boutique on Riddargatan in Stockholm, as well as at other retailers in Sweden and Europe. Even if you don’t have a shop close to where you live, you needn’t worry – you can easily buy her pieces from her online store, which will soon be upgraded and broaden its product offerings. Charlotte Bonde’s website is currently under maintenance, but in a few weeks’ time customers will enjoy a renewed and improved website. Charlotte Bonde makes sophisticated jewellery for classy women. If you want to dress like a princess, don’t miss out on your chance to buy a lovely piece of quality jewellery that will never be out of vogue.
For more information, please visit: www.charlottebonde.com
Irma Brooch Fairytale
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 45
the desert, she sat in beautiful palaces threading the necklaces that would become the first ever KumKum designs. Ring frenzy and Hollywood fame Zivaljic’s ambitions for KumKum may have been humble, but her creation of a bold ring of oxidised silver set with striking semi-precious stones kick-started a frenzy she could have never anticipated. The rings were at this stage sold exclusively by the department store NK, and as they sold out, they became all the more sought after. Everyone wanted them; famous people wore them.
Rings from the Supernova collection. Photo: Niklas Carlsson
Coveted jewellery with its own heart and spirit
Today, KumKum has its own Hollywood agent. “I was sure it was a mistake when they called,” says Zivaljic. “But apparently the younger celebrities don’t always want to wear real diamonds at red carpet events because then they have to have bodyguards.” And just like that, KumKum became the cool, boho chic option for stars like Anne Hathaway, Kelly Osbourne and Selena Gomez. Ethnically inspired, timeless and independent Famous for her cocktail rings above all, Zivaljic tries to create timeless jewellery
Jasmin Zivaljic is the jewellery designer who started making necklaces because of a fascination for stones and a longing for the good life. KumKum is her creation: a coveted jewellery brand with ethnic, elegant streaks, which offers collections of rings and more, and has taken the world by storm. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: KumKum
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“I want to have my own style and find the balance in everything.” Though Zivaljic had always been fascinated by stones, KumKum was not her first business idea. “For a while I wanted to work with lycra products in Brazil. Turns out, their currency is so volatile it changes by the hour – I just couldn’t deal with that.” Instead, using stones from her travels across the globe, purchased for the cheapest price possible in markets in
Supernova rings & bracelets
“All I wanted was to make enough money to lead a pleasant life, be able to spend the winters abroad and just enjoy life,” says Jasmin Zivaljic, the designer behind now elevated jewellery brand KumKum. Having worked at the airport in Skåne, a herniated disc meant that she had to go parttime, and she ended up travelling during the winter months. She eventually started a new job in television, surrounded by creative colleagues. “I realised that pretty much all of them had their own businesses. So I decided I should start my own business as well.”
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Design
Micro Ginger Earrings
Illustration: Liselotte Watkins
with an edge: something a little bit bohemian, cool and independent, yet elegant and worldly. The creations are ethnically inspired but classic – a bit like the designer herself: born in Croatia, living in Sweden since the age of nine, an avid meditator and yoga practitioner who always travels light. “I don’t follow trends,” she insists. “When everyone else does owls, I don’t – I want to have my own style and find the balance in everything.” And despite all the media attention and success, it is true that Zivaljic is her own woman. At most, she had six employees, and even that was too much: she found that work got in the way of life and started turning down interviews. Today, she has a couple of part-time staff, and she is happier that way. The Supernova collection In front of her in her office in Malmö are the first samples from the brand new collection, Supernova. She laughs at the name: “I’m making it difficult for myself, aren’t I? I’m going to have to come up with names for each individual piece of jewellery on the theme of the universe now – it was a lot easier with Island!” While the Island collection took its inspiration from Hawaiian palms, paradise beaches and the Bali moon, Supernova uses a very light yellow quartz stone which is embellished with a prism that gives it a rainbow-like sheen. “I had the idea for the
collection when I saw a documentary about the universe, how a supernova collapses into this explosion of millions of colours, and in the end, there’s only one tiny, powerful star left. It’s amazing.” Jewellery as colourful, spiritual core The name KumKum comes from the red powder used in Hindu rituals to mark one’s third eye, one’s spiritual core. It seems apt in more than one way. The powder is exclusive, made from red sandalwood and real saffron, and so is the production of KumKum jewellery. As the founder herself puts it, producing the jewellery in state-controlled noble metal factories that adhere to international rules for fair trade, and the locks, logos and display boxes in Sweden, may be costly – but it feels right. Social responsibility is at the core of KumKum, promoting international labour, environmentalism and social policy in all areas of production.
Tahiti Ring
Blue Eye Grass Cuff
Furthermore, it was Zivaljic’s back injury that led her to become a jewellery designer, but it also forced her to take up yoga. Perhaps that is where it all comes together: a piece of jewellery can be that spiritual core, something light enough to carry with us on our travels. For Zivaljic, the jewellery-making has certainly always been more than just work: “It’s fantastic. It’s still just a hobby, and it always was.” For more information, please visit: kumkum.se
Passion Cocktail Ring
Pearl Nine Cocktail Ring
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Modern rag rugs with a proud heritage Sweden has a long tradition of weaving rag rugs as a way of recycling worn-out bed sheets and other fabrics. Today, Vandra Rugs uses those very same age-old techniques, refined in the 1940s when the classic textile company EMTE Textil was founded, using the finest cotton, flax and wool. Respected by leading architects and interior designers, the Vandra Rugs products can be found, amongst other places, in hotel Ett Hem, decorated by Ilse Crawford, and Svenskt Tenn boutiques. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Vandra Rugs
Combining the rustic feel of a rag rug with the refined qualities of cotton fabrics and Belgian flax warp, Vandra Rugs has created a product that looks crafted and modern at the same time. The result is a rug that works in a number of different environments, popular with house owners and established interior designers alike.
types of warp, and a multitude of weaving patterns to choose from. Additionally, as the Vandra Rugs reputation is gaining pace, the rugs can be purchased in numerous countries across the globe, including in the London shops Chelsea Textiles, Sinclair Till and Nordic Style.
be auctioned out at Bukowskis in aid of the World Childhood Foundation. Hotel Ett Hem immediately decided that its library needed a wool rag rug, and soon a whole collection was born. Just as Edna and Margit, who founded EMTE Textil, worked closely with the weavers, passing on the secrets of the trade, so Vandra Rugs carries the secret further, via the Ukrainian women and all the way to your front room. From design to production, the Vandra Rugs philosophy is about quality craft. No wonder that business is booming.
A collection for every style Handwoven and bespoke But more than preserving a handicraft tradition and creating beautiful bespoke rugs that last, Vandra Rugs works with weavers in a destitute part of Ukraine – women who have been trained especially with the EMTE mentality in mind and are now the main breadwinners in their families. Because the rugs are handwoven, they can be made to order in sizes up to four metres wide and 16 metres long, with over 200 different rag colours, four different
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In addition to the Classics and Favourites collections, as well as the aforementioned Bespoke rugs, ten new collections have been created: names like Ibiza, Muted, For fun, Barbados and Natural all reveal something about the colour combinations on offer. Moreover, two collections inspired by a project for the World Childhood Foundation have just seen the light of day: the Wool Collection and the Vandra Designer Collection by Monica FĂśrster. The former came about as designer Lars Nilsson created a rag rug made of wool to
For more information, please visit: www.vandra-rugs.com
Brotherhood, craftsmanship and – ABBA! The keywords in Givarps furniture design are playfulness and functionality. The two owners (and brothers), Johan and Sven Isaksson, have created a concept that allows the client to be part of the design process and create timeless furniture which suits his or her specific taste and needs. So when the recently opened ABBA museum in Stockholm asked them to create a large sofa in the form of a vinyl record, they, of course, made it happen. By Sara Schedin | Photos: Givarps
“We usually design furniture pieces for homes and offices so making the sofa was a fun challenge! And it suited us perfectly, since we’re both very passionate about music,” says Sven. Johan and Sven have in the past chosen very different paths in life, but they have always connected through music and playing the guitar. They love the feel, sound and construction of electric guitars and put the same craftsmanship into their furniture. Johan stands for the design side of things and Sven does the marketing, so they complement each other perfectly. With the help of Brand Identity Designer Jorg Kuijl, from the Dutch company Door, the brothers have, during the last year, learned how to focus on their strengths and Givarps has found its identity.
the brothers are now thinking about how to reach the international market. “We were invited to the furniture fair in Milan earlier this year and received a lot of positive feedback, so I believe that our furniture has something that also appeals to clients outside the borders of Sweden,” says Sven.
Mixing the old with the new Givarps is based in the province Småland in Sweden, known for its furniture industry. The name of the company is taken from the brothers’ farm that has been in the family since the 18th century. “We’ve created a concept that has its roots in traditional Smålandian furniture making, but we’ve taken it a step further and formed a perfect balance between the old and the new,” says Johan, and adds: “One example is the leather tag, which is one of the key elements of the Givarps brand. This small detail combined with different kinds of Swedish wood creates an interesting contrast.” Going international It is because of the sense for detail and functionality that Givarps stands out from the crowd. The company has already made a name for itself in Sweden, and
Johan and Sven Isaksson
For more information, please visit: www.givarps.se
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 49
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Design
Quality garments to be cherished The Swedish fashion label MASKA is all about timelessness and classic pieces to be worn for years to come, which is reflected in the quality of the carefully selected natural fibres. Founders Maria Svensson and Lisa Leierth wanted to create clothing that they would love to wear themselves and that suits a modern, creative woman, a true world citizen with an appreciation for quality goods. The yarn used for MASKA knitwear is special, and the secret behind impeccable knitwear lies in selecting the right yarn for every design. The specific fibres chosen by Lisa and Maria, who also has a background as a textile buyer, include extra fine merino wool, Peruvian pima cotton, kid mohair, Mongo-
lian cashmere and silk. For SS14, MASKA will introduce a jersey collection, which will make use of the finest organic cotton on Tencel to create simple yet luxurious jersey garments for every occasion. “Sustainability is really central to our work. Not just when sourcing natural materials; it’s integral to everything we do,” explains communications manager Jessica Braz. “Production is set mainly in the EU, and we’re careful about where we source our fibres from. All yarns, apart from cashmere, are spun in Italy by luxury spinners.”
By Nia Kajastie Photos: MASKA
Designer Lisa Leierth explains that their early designs were meant to remind people of knitted clothing from a long time ago, but with added structures and refined detailing. “Nowadays, we’ve added more simple lines, and we continue to create garments with that little bit extra,” she says. The MASKA brand has also found popularity outside of Sweden’s borders, all the way to Japan. Braz notes that the Japanese shoppers are known to be very discerning, and thus appreciate the exquisite materials, refined detailing and the timeless quality of MASKA garments The Swedish fashion label MASKA was launched in 2009. Nominated "Rookie of the Year" by the Swedish Fashion Council in 2011.
For more information, please visit: www.maskaknits.com
Adding a bit of glamour to Swedish fashion Feminine silhouettes and contrasting fabrics are the hallmarks of Swedish fashion label Valerie. Plain-coloured garments are combined with accent colours and decorated with sequins, ribbons and lace to create beautiful items that are easy to wear. Scan Magazine spoke to head designer and founder Valerie Aflalo. By Sara Schedin
When asked who she designs for, Valerie instantly answers: “Everyone!” and continues: “There is such a wide age span between my clients. Young women wear my designs as well as my mum, who is 60 years old.” With a father who introduced brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren and Kenzo to the Scandinavian market, Valerie has fashion in her blood. She became a model at 16, was crowned Miss Sweden in 2000 and began as a trainee at Renato Nucci in 2002. Valerie’s first fashion line was launched in 2005 and since then success has followed quickly. Her designs are now worn by women all over the world.
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With roots in both Sweden and France, Valerie has found a great balance between Swedish elegance and southern European glamour. Her spring/summer 13 collection perfectly sums this up: light and ro-
mantic with elements of metal, neon and her own prints. “This summer we have a very feminine and romantic focus, with the collection including flowing silk dresses and sparkling sequins that perfectly reflect the longed for summer light, while our autumn/winter collection has a darker colour scheme and will be more powerful and dramatic. We’ve used colours like black, dark blue and burgundy, combined with materials such as lace, velvet and feathers,” explains Valerie and adds: “This autumn there will also be more activity on our website, so keep an eye out for competitions and prize draws!” You can buy Valerie’s clothes from her web shop or from retailers across the globe. For more information, please visit: www.valerie-stockholm.com
Photo: Jonas Forsberg
S TO PEC P D IAL AN TH ISH EM DE E: SIG N
Photo: Courtesy of Mos Mosh
Top Danish Design Danish fashion designers are making a big splash: there is a lot going on these days as both fresh new faces and more established names, as well as small brands and larger companies, are finding success in Denmark and abroad – a lot of Danish labels can be found on high streets all over the world.
Read on to find out more about a selection of cool, sophisticated and exciting Danish designers and fashion labels.
By Nia Kajastie
choose from, and designers draw inspiration from such varied places, from Scandinavian nature and art to multicultural environments and even maths. A lot of Danish designers like to mix Danish design heritage with modern influences by adding little twists here and there, and many talk about the importance of the wearability of their garments. In addition, sustainability and responsibility stand out as key concerns, with designers extremely aware of the impact the fashion industry can have on the world around them.
Photo: Courtesy of Rabens Saloner
The Danish fashion scene is something all fashionistas should keep an eye on. Copenhagen Fashion Week, which is held twice a year, is the biggest fashion event in the Nordic region. This year, the AW13 event was especially impressive with Vivienne Westwood presenting her Anglomania collection in the Danish capital. There was naturally also a lot of Danish talent on show, from By Malene Birger to Henrik Vibskov, all exciting designers that have helped put Denmark on the fashion map. But what is it that defines today’s Danish design language and fashion brands? There are certainly plenty of styles to
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home and the sea, one of Pia Coster’s main sources of inspiration. “I am lucky to live by the sea, and every morning I take a walk along the coast with my dog. That’s where I concentrate my thoughts, and while walking, I often develop new ideas for designs,” explains Pia Coster. The designer founded Coster Copenhagen together with her husband Chris Coster in 2011. With a great reception at Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2012, the brand quickly gained a solid base of distributors in Scandinavia as well as the Netherlands and the UK. “First of all people really liked the quality, and when they heard about the prices, they fell for it in a big way – it’s a brand that can easily compete with more expensive brands in high-end stores,” stresses Chris Coster. Compassion and knitting Although her own brand is new on the market, Pia Coster has more than a decade of experience within the fashion industry. Through her job as a creative director for a major fashion brand, the designer travelled all over the world. And when founding her own brand, relocating her work back home, where she could be close to her children and family, was one of her great joys. However, when she realised that the women who knitted Coster Copenhagen’s sweaters in China did not have the same luxury, she decided to do something about it.
Interknitting borderless compassion, nature and Nordic style Compassion, nature and Nordic style are some of the components inherent in Coster Copenhagen’s raw yet feminine and exclusive designs. The designer behind the brand, Pia Coster, helps disadvantaged Chinese women to get away from urban factories and return home to their families. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Coster Copenhagen
Located in a beautiful old thatched domicile in north Zealand, Coster Copenhagen has built up a charming and creative en-
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vironment. The headquarters are close to the founding couple’s
Chris Coster
Designer Pia Coster
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
“They live an extremely hard life and due to poverty they are often forced to leave their families to work at a factory. Some of the women only travel home once a year for Chinese New Year. During the remaining time, the children are left to be cared for by their grandmothers. I would like to give the women the gift that I know is so important – the chance to see their children grow up,” explains Coster. To enable the women to live with their families, Coster allowed the women to bring the yarn to their hometowns where they hand-knit Coster Copenhagen’s designer sweaters. Each of the exclusive sweaters has the knitter’s Chinese signature on a label on its neck. Though changing the work process in China was difficult, Coster hopes to set up a similar project for seamstresses in India. “I am very aware that what they are doing not only creates value for them but also for me. To me, this is the most sustainable way to help – not just giving hu-
manitarian aid, but actually operating a business,” she stresses. All-in-one style Thanks to Coster Copenhagen’s efficient setup, which is managed by Chris Coster, the fashion company is able to produce no less than six yearly collections. The collections are, among other things, marked by Pia Coster’s great passion for knitting and a distinctive Nordic touch. “Of course times change and so do our collections; now, for instance, we are very inspired by Indian and Moroccan fashion and patterns, but there is always a Nordic touch as well. We do like to play with different trends and directions from all over the world, but you will never have any doubts that we are a Danish brand,” explains Coster. Another distinguishing quality of Coster Copenhagen’s design is that it is very easy to wear. The clothes themselves create an independent identity and do not need styling with an extra wardrobe of accessorises, explains Coster. “Our clothes are
easy to wear and easy to understand. When you wear it, that’s all it takes; you don’t need scarves, necklaces or extra blouses. The clothes have so many small and simple details, which are very important and make them complete on their own.” The beautiful prints featured in Coster Copenhagen’s collections are all created by Pia Coster herself.
Coster Copenhagen’s knitters working in front of their home.
For more information, please visit: www.costercopenhagen.com
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
Recreating a state of mind In the universe of Rabens Saloner, a strong mixture of fashion flair and genuine love for traditional Asian craftsmanship form the creating force. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Rabens Saloner
Inspired by her many travels, designer Birgitte Raben Olrik established her own women’s clothing brand, Rabens Saloner, in 2007. Her clothing’s laidback yet stylish expression, characteristic gorgeous textures and misty colours have since gained a following among fashion-conscious women all over the world. The designs, which might be best described as dreamy or even nostalgic, in more than one way represent a state of mind rather than a specific trend. “In my mind I go back to a place that made a special impression on me and try to imagine the photo shoot for the finished cata-
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logue, putting my muse into the picture and piecing the theme together. What would she like to wear? How would she dress good friends for the occasion?” explains the designer. With the imaginary catalogue all in her head, Raben then visits a hotchpotch of workrooms and family businesses all over Asia. Intertwining her designs with the work of village dressmakers, traditional leathersmiths and knitting grandmas, she creates the uniquely multicultural yet elegant look, which appeals to women from Denmark to Australia.
“I have a soft spot for things that are made by hand, and we’re very keen to promote sustainability in the countries of origin. There is so much inspiration to be gathered from local artisans if you show them that you appreciate their skills and admire their traditions. It’s a kind of mutual fertilization; if you keep an open mind, amazing things can emerge from it,” Raben says. The fondness for handmade products results in collections with thousands of pieces each with tiny individual differences. In each collection you will find a range of colourful tie dye marked by the shifting sun of Indonesia; these unique touches on each garment are the luxury of Raben’s brand. For more information, please visit: www.rabenssaloner.com
Passionate about jeans Mos Mosh creates jeans that shape and flatter all versions of the female silhouette. Headquartered in Denmark, the small company prides itself on principled work and trade ethics. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Mos Mosh
As I have reached my thirties, I spend more and more time pulling faces in front of the mirror wondering why on earth stores are filled with jeans seemingly created to highlight every tiny lump and bump. The low-cut waistband and stretchy fabric that were my best friends during my teens have, today, become awkward acquaintances. Luckily, there are some designers who work with a more pragmatic approach to the female silhouette. One of them is Kim Hyldahl, the man behind Mos
Mosh. He has dedicated himself to creating jeans that, with higher waists, longer back rise and good-quality fabric and great tasteful details, flatter rather than flaunt all our small imperfections. “We simply love jeans. We know jeans and we leave nothing to chance; we are devoted to tasteful details and good fits. We always twist and turn every single detail to make the Mos Mosh jeans just right,” says Hyldahl. Founded just three years ago, Mos Mosh, which has more than 600 distributors, has quickly become popular with north European and American women. The designs are created in Denmark (Jutland) and tested on several models of different shapes and sizes before being sent off for production in Europe. “It’s a thin line between bad and good taste. We like to mix a rock chick look with a feminine touch, and, when we develop the design, we consider the placement of pockets and zippers down to the last millimetre – it’s the placement of the back
pocket which decides the shape of your bottom and that’s extremely important – after all the first thing you look at when you try on a pair of jeans is how your bottom looks,” Hyldahl points out and adds: “We do a lot of research on international trends, but it’s also very much about gut feeling, passion, dreams, heart, and actually loving what we do.” For more information, please visit: www.mosmosh.com facebook.com/MosMosh Instagram.com/mosmoshjeans
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
Flattering feathers from Black Swan Black Swan provides women with classic, cool quality designs, as well as a relaxed and social shopping experience at home. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Black Swan
We all remember the days when browsing the high street shops with a couple of good girlfriends represented the best afternoon imaginable. However, for many women, the joy of shopping decreases proportionally with family and career expansions. Two years ago, Sabine Boye Kass and Janne Eskildsen, the founders of Black Swan Fashion, decided to bring back the shopping joy of our teens – minus house music, spotlights and crammed fitting rooms. “What inspired us to create Black Swan was the fact that we, with our careers and families, never had time to shop anymore; the shops were either closed, or we had to drag three kids along – it just took away the joy. That’s why the home shopping concept appealed to us, but, at that time, we didn’t find any attractive brands which offered that in Denmark,” explains designer Janne Eskildsen.
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The dresses, knitwear, tunics, jeans, skirts and tops included in Black Swan’s two yearly collections are inspired by international trends as well as the two fashionistas’ own wardrobes. With classic designs, highquality fabrics and distinctive twists and details, Eskildsen and Kass aim to make clothes which can be styled for any occasion. “We create the collection together and gather a lot of inspiration on trips to Paris, London and Shanghai, but also from our own wardrobes. We look at what we got,
and ask ourselves what it is that we love to wear and always want to put on – we want to create a collection full of favourites,” says Eskildsen. “Our clothes are popular with all generations; it’s not so much about age, it’s about style. We create designs that flatter your figure after childbirth and with a little extra on the waist as well, and we test everything ourselves; what is in our collection is in our wardrobes.” As the name reveals, the two founders of Black Swan have a strong fondness for the colour black. In this year’s spring and summer collection, the prevalent black nuances are mixed with dashes of nude, coral and dark blue. Visit Black Swan’s online store at: www.blackswanfashion.dk (From September 2013: www.blackswanfashion.com)
Janne Eskildsen and Sabine Boye Kass
For international deliveries contact: mail@blackswanfashion.com
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
Adding something special to everyday life BON’A PARTE is a modern Danish fashion and lifestyle brand that strives to add that little something extra to everyday life. They do this by being open-minded and listening closely to their customers – even when it comes to making decisions about new designs. By Rikke Oberlin Flarup | Photos: BON’A PARTE
“Communicating directly with our customers is very important to us, and we make sure we listen to what they say,” says creative manager Lone Løth. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of BON’A PARTE, and on this occasion the fashion company asked their Facebook fans to help them design a new dress. A series of dress styles from over the years was selected and presented to the fans, who were asked to choose which one they would like to see created in a 2012 version. They made their choice – the dress was created and became an immediate success among the customers. Rooted in Scandinavia – inspired by the world At BON’A PARTE they are proud of their strong Scandinavian roots and have be-
come specialists in Scandinavian fashion and lifestyle. With keywords such as openness, closeness and informality, they seek to get close to their customers in order to give them the best possible experience and products. A talented and passionate design team makes sure that only materials of the highest possible quality are chosen for the designs. With inspiration drawn from all over the world, the team creates collections that are true to their roots by adding a certain Scandinavian touch to everything. Your own personal style The fashion created by the design team is completely unique and can only be found on the BON’A PARTE website, which is now open in Sweden, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, as well as in Den-
mark. The company’s main focus is on feminine women’s wear; however, they also have collections for men and children, not to mention a lingerie collection and a broad selection of accessories. All styles can be combined in whichever way you like, giving you the possibility to create your own personal style. “We would like to be our customers’ partner in fashion, and a company that covers all their clothing needs,” explains Lone Løth. In short, BON’A PARTE let’s you be unique from top to toe, inside out, every day of the week. BON’A PARTE lets you create your own personal style.
For more information, please visit: www.bonaparte.dk
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Main Fall 2013 collection will be in stores in August. Left: The Karen by Simonsen woman wants to be elegant without being too sexy. Right: Geometric cut-outs and elegant silhouettes form the perfect dress.
Karen Simonsen refines her fashion DNA Having wowed the fashion world for more than a decade, Danish designer Karen Simonsen has, since 2009, been defining and refining her own brand Karen By Simonsen. Her designs are characterized by geometric lines, innovative fabrics, distinctive twists, and elegant, classic cuts. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Karen Simonsen
As half of the renowned designer duo Munthe Plus Simonsen (founded in 1994), Karen Simonsen became one of the internationally best known Danish names in the fashion industry. In 2009, the successful designer decided to leave the recognized brand to pursue her fascination with a mathematical approach to design. “As a designer, I am graphic and geometricbased. I am thinking in lines intensely appearing in Karen Simonsen recently opened a flagship store in Copenhagen from my design which she exclusively sells the limited line 5Elements. scope each
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time a new collection takes shape,” she explains. Today, her brand Karen By Simonsen is distributed in approximately 400 stores all over Scandinavia, Europe and Canada, as well as the recently opened flagship store in the heart of Copenhagen. A new brand with a famous name When Karen Simonsen launched her first independent collection, expectations were high. Based on her previous work, costumers and fashion experts all had preconceived conceptions of the new brand. Still, the designer managed to surprise many. Brand manager Louise Toftekær explains: “Karen had had a very long and success-
ful career previous to establishing her own brand, but with Karen By Simonsen her design DNA really came to show. By focusing on the modern wardrobe, with updated versions of classic staples – suits, jeans, shirts, jackets – as well as adding new wardrobe classics such as the perfect tee, the biker jacket and the leather pants, the brand gives a modern take on every woman’s fashion needs.” Since Karen By Simonsen’s launch, this DNA has become more and more visible in the designer’s collections. In current and coming collections a clear and refined identity is emerging through classic looks with edgy details and modern materials. “It’s an elegant look; modern women want to be elegant without being too sexy. It’s about cool suiting, the perfect
dress and sharply fitted leather styles, with an edge,” explains Toftekær.
has helped us soften some of our edges a bit,” explains Toftekær.
Innovative designs at high street prices A new and distinct feature of Karen By Simonsen’s designs is the accessibility and wearability of the clothing. “There is a lot of focus on a tailored suit style in the collections but without a too stiff and classic look. Career women today like an easier way of dressing; they want to appear presentable, but at the same time they want wearable clothing.” Price is an important factor in making designer clothing more accessible, and Karen By Simonsen has struck a delicate balance between design and quality and economic accessibility. This has been made possible by, among other things, the brand’s inclusion in the major fashion company DK Company. The company is one of Scandinavian’s leading suppliers of fashion, and its massive network of suppliers and retailers has in many ways helped Karen By Simonsen fulfil its visions. “Rather than having been a limitation, it has been a positive force for us, as a small company, to be part of such a big organisation. It has enabled us to work with some suppliers that we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise, and, because of the very broad demands of commercialism, it
High Summer 2013 collection, in stores now. For Karen by Simonsen it's all about the perfect dress.
Outside DK Company, Karen Simonsen has established the independent line 5Elements, which is sold exclusively in the designer’s flagship store in Copenhagen. The line is a “one-of-a-kind design”, meaning that the weekly collections are produced only in a few pieces. International attention Thanks to Karen Simonsen’s strong name, her charity work and public and wellrecognized figure, it is not just the Scandinavian fashion world that is following Karen By Simonsen closely. Main Spring 2013 collection, in stores now. The brand’s full-concept collections with innovative demark on the map with regard to fashion, sign qualities at high street prices have and her reputation helps open some doors. also caught the eye of the international But it also means that people have very fashion industry. International success, high expectations of the product and so do will, however, stresses Toftekær, never we; there is a lot of pride in our name, and come at the cost of the brand’s or Karen Sieverything we do has to live up to that.” monsen’s integrity. “Of course a name like Karen’s creates some possibilities internationally. Karen was one of the first designers to put Den-
High Summer 2013 collection. Karen by Simonsen garments are characterized by geometric lines, innovative fabrics, distinctive twists and elegant, classic cuts.
For more information, please visit: www.karenbysimonsen.com
Main Spring 2013 collection. The brand delivers classic looks with edgy details.
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A Danish high street brand with international ambitions With six yearly collections conveying the fashion world’s latest trends, the Danish brand Modström has wowed Scandinavia’s young fashion-savvy women for almost a decade. The brand’s successful recipe is attracting increasing attention from abroad, and Modström is ready to take on new challenges. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Modström
Founded in 2004, Modström was one of the first Danish fashion brands to produce six yearly main collections and provide short, flexible and reliable delivery. This not only enabled Modström’s designers to be continuously on top of current trends, but also gave purchasers and distributors greater economic flexibility. “Our concept of more and shorter termed collections is being carefully prepared with the intent to be ground-breaking whilst continuously adding something new to the fashion industry,” explains product manager Anne Nøhr, and adds: “This is one of the reasons our brand has grown so strong; our distributors know
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that we are a stable, trustworthy supplier and that we always have a broad collection. We don’t change our selection from collection to collection, which means that as a purchaser, you know what you get, and you can always, for instance, be sure to find a party dress and cool jeans in our collection.” High street success An important factor in Modström’s success as a renowned high street brand is its trendy yet personal design. The style
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
has proven strongly appealing to young women and girls who are constantly looking for new trends and fashions and like to shop and dress impulsively. “Our style is feminine and commercial with an edge. Our designers are innovative and always up to speed with new developments, but at the same time we are loyal to our brand’s style and always create our own universe,” says Nøhr. “That’s the special combination which characterizes our collections; we listen to new trends, but we never go all the way – we would never do an entire collection in only black and white for instance, or let a certain theme totally dictate the collection. We always gather two or three themes to create our own story and show Modström’s universe.” Modström’s six yearly collections are traded in 400 stores throughout northern Europe. A responsible approach Though Modström creates well-designed products at affordable prices, high standards are kept throughout the production
chain. The brand works hard to live up to its corporate responsibility and ensures that its suppliers and producers do so to. “We have a very strong focus on corporate responsibility, and we do our utmost to ensure that all our partners and suppliers live up to our code of conduct, which, for instance, ensures that the workers who produce our garments have good working conditions and that we don’t use any colours or dyes which are bad for the people working with them or the environment,” Nøhr explains. For the last two years, Modström has furthermore cooperated with the Danish charity SIND, which helps young people with psychological problems. The brand supports the organisation through the design and sale of a special T-shirt for which part of the proceeds go to the charity. Ready for the next step Over the last nine years, the look championed by Modström, contemporary highquality fashion that signals femininity with a raw touch, has won the brand a solid reputation on the Danish market. With an unusual sense for design, flair and the
ability to adapt to a constantly changing fashion industry, the brand has manoeuvred safely through the financial crisis and has become a prominent player on the Scandinavian and northern European markets. The successful recipe has also attracted attention from bigger markets, and Modström is, stresses Nøhr, ready to take on new challenges. “As we have become more and more established in countries like Germany, Holland, Sweden and Norway, we feel ready to put focus on moving further ahead. I believe we have the potential to become an even bigger international brand.” Throughout June you will find Modström’s summer collection in stores; the pre-autumn collection, which (as seen in the photos) presents a broad range of party dresses, cool sweats in fancy structures, colourful prints and much more, will be out in July.
For more information, please visit: www.modstrom.com
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 61
S’NOB de Noblesse
You are never done shopping at NORR In central Copenhagen, the miniature department store NORR opens its doors for customers craving Danish designer wear at favourable prices. Available at the store is a range of Danish designer labels for women and men, alongside ecological skincare and products for the dream home. By Julie Bauer Larsen | Photos: NORR
If you are in the neighbourhood of downtown Copenhagen, you should drop by the lifestyle store NORR in idyllic Pilestræde for a shopping experience surpassing your conventional idea of a clothing store. “Our prime objective with the store is to provide a great experience custom-made for each and every visitor. You can have all the help and guidance that you wish from our staff – and they will leave you be to do
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your shopping on your own if that is your preference,” says Bettina Hørk from NORR. “I am confident that everyone will be able to find something in our shop as we provide Danish designer wear for everybody. The overall theme is luxury for less – our brands are top quality at a price that’s lower than what you will see for similar products in other stores,” she continues.
Small steps toward the perfect shop The NORR store is owned by the Danish fashion house METROPOL, and it is their first full-scale venture into the retail market. The concept has proved a great success, and new NORR stores are about to launch soon. “We have been trying to get into the retail market for some time with concept stores for some of our brands. By taking smaller
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
steps and evaluating along the way, we have now found a concept that is popular with our customers. Later this year, we will celebrate as we launch a 1,000square-metre flagship store in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen. This shop will combine a selection of clothes, bags and shoes for men and women, as well as skincare products and interior design – another exclusive department store with a delicate selection at a value price,” explains Bettina Hørk. Relaxed, sexy and feminine new label
St-Martins
As a customer you will get to join another celebration at the NORR store as they launch a brand new label – VI ÂMES. The name means six souls and tells the story of six enthusiasts with different backgrounds, knowhow and skills from the fashion industry getting together to make women’s clothes. “VI ÂMES is the outcome of the best of different thoughts and ideas from the six souls behind the brand. Ideas, thoughts and trends have been gathered and transformed into a relaxed, sexy and, above all, feminine look that we are pleased to present at the NORR store,” says Bettina Hørk.
The NORR store provides great service to customers in an inspiring and calming environment, with colourful carp thriving in the centre of the shop.
SUIT
For more information, please visit: www.norrstores.com
NORR is a retail shop for the manufacturer METROPOL. All of its brands – St-Martin, SUIT, SUIT Female, NOIR, S’NOB de Noblesse, Scent Copenhagen jewels and the NORR label are available in the store alongside carefully selected products from other Danish brands such as Blond Accessories, Decadent, Five Units, Stars by P and Sneaky Fox.
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Understated design and wearability In just ten years, Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen has become a well-known brand in northern Europe. The secret to its success is a mix between the desire to create quality clothes, dedication and a lot of hard work. By Nicolai Lisberg | Photos: Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen
Have you ever walked around countless shops looking at lots of clothing without actually feeling there was something that caught your interest, or could do something special for you? If yes, you might want to check out the collections from Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen because, after all, this was how the brand was created more than ten years ago. “I found it rather difficult to find clothes for myself because I always wanted something special, something unique and different from what the stores had to offer. I want a piece of clothing to be more than just a piece of clothing. If I’d only wear jeans to keep my legs warm, I would only have two pairs of jeans, one pair to wear and one for the washing machine. I want my clothes to give me more than warmth and cover. I want my trousers to make my body look better,” says Henriette Steffensen, who is the founder, owner and chief designer of Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen. In the beginning, the clothes were primarily sold in the Scandinavian as well as the German market, but throughout the years, their popularity has grown, so now Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen is sold in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain and Australia. Inspiration & functionality The range of clothes has of course been expanded over the years, but Henriette Steffensen still finds inspiration for her collections from the same place as in the beginning. “Nature, architecture and art. When I travel, I very much look at surfaces on stones, buildings, trees and try to combine these experiences with fabric compositions, technique and my desire to create, so you can say it is a very emotional process when I make a new
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
collection. I think about my needs – what I want this dress to do for me and my body. I work with the functionality – as I want the item to be wearable. I hate complicated clothes; I do not want to spend five minutes arranging my clothes every time I get up form a chair!” The mission of creating clothes which will last for years seems to have worked very well so far. Often Henriette Steffensen meets costumers who tell her that the dress they bought five or six years ago is still their favourite piece of clothing and has a very special place in their closet. “My design has always been understated with unique details. And I am loyal to the range of colours that I love – especially from the nature of the west coast of Jutland where I grew up. This combined with the fact that both the workmanship and the material are of high quality gives us satisfied customers.” Passion for the real Honesty is a keyword for Henriette Steffensen all the way through the process.
Many of the designs are made with fur, and she would not dream about making something fake. It needs to be the real thing, and the material, as well as the customer, has to be taken seriously and treated with honesty.
are looking for something with high functionality, which can be used for various occasions, something that is underlining their personality, not dominating them. Something that makes them feel extraordinary.”
“I don’t like things – and people for that matter – that pretend to be something else than they are. If it looks like plastic, it is plastic; if it looks like leather, it is leather. This does not mean that we only work with nature-made materials – we have a big range of designs in high-quality fleece. It is super comfortable and easy to wear. With a high amount of viscose in this specially produced quality, it is a bestseller every season.”
Just like Henriette Steffensen herself was looking for something special that would make her feel extraordinary when she founded the brand more than ten years ago.
The women who buy the designs can be between 20 to 70 years old, so Henriette Steffensen is trying to approach a specific type of woman rather than a specific age. “What characterizes these women is the fact that they are self-confident and seek quality, wearability and individuality. They
Founder, owner and chief designer Henriette Steffensen
For more information, please visit: www.hscph.dk
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 65
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Danish Design
Delicate silk and raw jersey merged in gorgeous, functional designs With a new flagship store in Copenhagen and a loyal client base, Moxy Copenhagen is beginning to make its mark in the Danish fashion world. The two designers behind the brand, Karina Tholstrup and Rikke Molge, are, however, in no rush but let their beautiful collections do the speaking. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Moxy
Founded in 2008, Moxy Copenhagen’s two yearly collections of rough feminine de-
signs in exclusive, high-quality materials have secured the brand a growing name on the Danish fashion scene. It was, however, not just the dream of creating a huge brand but also the strong desire to work with their original trade and passion which brought together the duo behind Moxy Copehagen. Molge explains: “Our dream was primarily to design a collection that we would personally love. Of course we are inspired by the fashion world’s colours and trends, but we remain loyal to our own style. What we want is to create clothing for women who are into stylish designs in high-quality materials.”
Moxy Copenhagen flagship store
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Despite the economic crisis, Moxy Copenhagen’s success enabled the brand to
open an inviting and cosy flagship store in Copenhagen’s attractive Gl. Kongevej last summer. The popularity of the collections is, believes Tholstrup, not just due to their beauty but also their functionality. “Our design DNA is not as particular or extravagated as some designers’. We work with a range of classic and simple cuts and try to mix the feminine with a raw edge in designs that can be used for both work and evening wear. What we do a lot is mix the materials. For instance we might make a jacket in raw silk and then add a lining of jersey so it doesn’t look quite as fancy but is wearable for the office as well as for going out. Today, women want clothes that they can use all day, and that’s why our focus on functionality is very distinct.” Moxy Copenhagen is distributed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Holland and is, this summer, expanding into the German market.
For more information on stores and the web shop, please visit: www.moxy-copenhagen.dk
A national fascination
DE SIG SPE N A CIA ND L T AR HEM TI N F E: IN L
Design and art are a part of the Finnish national identity, with design in particular forming a part of Finns’ everyday lives. By Nia Kajastie | Photo: VisitFinland.com as well as sustainable products and projects.
Finnish people have a very practical attitude towards design, which is reflected in the functional qualities of a lot of design objects. Products by brands like Marimekko and Iittala and designers such as Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck are a common sight in homes and offices; in Finland, design isn’t something inherently exclusive. Visual art, on the other hand, might not be as readily obtainable, but it holds just as much meaning for people, with much love and pride shown for both classic and contemporary artworks.
Modern Finnish designers, while still drawing inspiration from classic Finnish design language, are often exceedingly bold and willing to push the boundaries. However, something that seemingly never changes is the influence Finnish nature has on designers and artists; the shapes, forms, materials and landscapes can be found echoed in everything from crockery to jewellery.
When it comes to Finnish design, as well as architecture, good design does not mean something that is simply good-looking; it should also be of high quality and long lasting. Today’s designers and architects naturally aim to create high-grade
Just like design, visual art is an integral part of being Finnish; everyone is familiar with works by artists of the “Golden Age” of Finnish art, from Akseli Gallen-Kallela to Helene Schjerfbeck. While classic or modern artworks are not part of every-
The famous Alvar Aalto vase
one’s daily lives, they still inhabit an important space in people’s cultural consciousness – even in today’s age of image oversaturation.
Award-winning architectural solutions based on vast experience The Tampere-based architectural design firm and construction consulting company Arkkitehtitoimisto Neva Oy (Neva Architects Ltd) boasts over 40 years of experience creating high-grade architectural solutions for its wide range of clients. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Arkkitehtitoimisto Neva Oy
Neva Architects’ versatile portfolio includes residential, public and commercial sector projects, as well as masterplanning, restoration and future visioning. Through the years, the firm has gained a reputation as a reputable partner that works in close cooperation with its clients and approaches each project with new eyes and renewed interest. “First and foremost, all projects are unique. All our clients receive personalised service and end products,” explains CEO Petteri Neva. “The project site is our starting point for the design and directly linked to factors like climate, transport links and visibility – depending on the project type – and once the area has been mapped in the right way, the client’s needs come to the foreground. We need to take into account style and qualitative factors that fit the client’s brief and budget. While we do steer
them towards sustainable architecture, we don’t put words in their mouths.
“Naturally one of the main premises for the design lies also in the intended use of the building – without dismissing design-led thinking.” Neva Architects has worked on projects all around Finland, but is also setting its sights beyond Finnish borders.
Arkkitehtitoimisto Neva Oy has been awarded with the City of Tampere environmental board’s award for good construction, the “Durable stone building” work group’s national durable stone building award, and Kangasala municipality’s construction of the year award.
Tahkovouri Golden Resort leisure destination. Holiday apartments, a hotel and a golf course.
The firm makes use of the latest computeraided design technology, working on iMac workstations and with ArchiCAD design software and the 3D rendering software Artlantis Studio.
For more information, please visit: www.neva.fi Contact details: Tel: +358 (0)3 260 5000 Email: ark@neva.fi Lobby view of shopping centre project in western Finland.
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AN D
Lapponia Jewelry, which was established in the 1960s, is famous for creating Princess Leia’s Planetoid Valleys necklace for Star Wars, which is still part of their collection. “Lapponia often draws inspiration from nature and Lapland, and creates strong statement pieces for people who are confident with their own style; their designs are in essence like works of art,” explains sales director Ursula Ilmes. The brand has also found a lot of fans outside of the Nordic region. Under one roof in perfect harmony Last November, the brands were brought together under one roof at a new store on Pohjoisesplanadi in Helsinki. “Here, both brands live in perfect harmony together, and we’ve also brought the jewellery closer to the customers. Usually, the jewellery would be shown in a display case, behind glass, but at the new store the pieces can be held and touched, adding a new element to the shopping experience,” says Ilmes.
Kalevala Koru, Korona earrings and pendant
Lapponia Jewelry, Planetoid Valleys necklace
A double dose of bold Finnish jewellery design
Kalevala Koru, Made in Helsinki Eira pendant
From Princess Leia’s famed necklace to pieces based on ancient Scandinavian designs, and from contemporary creations following fashion trends to modern yet timeless elegance, two of Finland’s best-loved jewellery brands, Kalevala Koru (Kalevala Jewelry) and Lapponia Jewelry, have produced some instant classics over the years – and continue to enchant with their bold designs. Today, the two brands can be found under one jewellery group, forming one of the largest of its kind in Europe. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kalevala Koru & Lapponia Jewelry
Kalevala Koru and Lapponia Jewelry are both known for their distinctive brand identities and strong traditions, but their bold approach to design is something that undoubtedly unifies them. Kalevala Koru has been around for 75 years and was established by the Finnish Kalevala Women’s Association, which is devoted to preserving and advancing Finnish cultural heritage and today owns the jewellery group. The association originally started creating pieces based on archaeological finds and
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historic jewellery, and this is something the Kalevala brand is still strongly associated with, but its modern collections have attained just as strong a following. In 2012, it was chosen as the 15th most valued brand in Finland. However, even in new collections, Kalevala Koru still emphasises the story and inspiration behind each piece. The Eira jewellery made for Kalevala Koru’s Made in Helsinki collection, for example, was inspired by heat motifs found on a building located in the Eira district in Helsinki.
For more information, please visit: www.kalevalajewelry.com www.lapponia.com Find the flagship store at: Pohjoisesplanadi 25-27, 00100 Helsinki
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design and Art in Finland
wax to give it the sleek, clean appearance,” he says. “With this kind of wooden structure it is possible to make frames that are showy, but still light and durable and that fit well.” Hänninen’s first wooden frames included a style called Deco, which he describes as a really wacky combination of round lenses and rough corners. He went on to launch the brand Kraa Kraa Eyewear, named after the sound of the crows that wake him up every morning. The label specialises in old-school made-to-last functional frames – made entirely of wood. The primary material used for the spectacles is birch, Finland’s national tree, with small quantities of exotic woods like wenge and teak sometimes used as surface layers. Birch is light, springy and keeps its form beautifully. The Finn’s maturity as a designer can be seen in his latest collection, which features a range of contemporary designs on a par with any high-end eyewear store – with the exception of being made of wood. Kraa Kraa styles are available in two sizes and a variety of colours, more importantly they are CE certified.
Kraa Kraa Eyewear: See the wood for the trees With three-quarters of the land area of Finland covered by forest, the love of wood is ingrained in every Finn’s DNA. Matti Hänninen’s ingenious design allows you to see the wood for the trees.
When asked what he would do if stuck on a desert island with nothing but a pair of Kraa Kraa glasses, Hänninen replied: “I would use the lenses to make fire with sunlight, but the frame I would keep so as not to be totally naked when the rescue comes.” Price: coloured birch P450; precious woods P510.
By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kraa Kraa Eyewear
Matti Hänninen’s inspiration came while walking the streets of Tampere naked. Or at least he appeared naked, having worn glasses all his life. In 2008, he searched the city in vain for a well-designed pair of spectacles. Unable to find suitable attire, the young cabinetmaker set out to make his own. For a Finn of his trade, the choice of material was natural: wood. “There were no frames that combined good looks with good usability,” he says. “It took me two and a half years to get it right, but the
end result was so good it became clear I wanted to do more.” To create the perfect glasses, Hänninen applied a technique he had previously experimented with for crafting skateboards and skis. “Thin slices of veneer are glued together into an arch, and out of this template the form of the frames is cut with a CNC machine. The most time-consuming work begins after that. The rough form is sanded down and finished with oil and
For more information, please visit: www.kraakraa.fi
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 69
Sound of Vox, 2013, 70 x 90, oil on canvas
Being Human Tampere-born Kaj Stenvall, who is known as one of Finland’s most beloved and successful contemporary artists, has made a career out of his distinctive figurative art; one figure in particular is what has brought his work to the attention of the masses – the slightly familiar-looking duck. Using the animal as a link to what lies beneath the surface of each painting, Stenvall tells Scan Magazine that his hope is for viewers to see through the bird and perhaps recognise something essential about the nature of being human. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Kaj Stenvall
Visual art, and especially classic paintings, is something that entered Kaj Stenvall’s life at an early age. He was particularly taken by Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s and Victor Westerholm’s impressive works shown at the Turku Art Museum, which he visited as a child on trips to his grandmother’s on mother’s day. “Naturally I’d been drawing a lot as a child, but after I’d turned 10 or so, I slowly started to discover art as a form of expression. The traditional and classic way of painting has influenced me from early on. I’ve been very loyal to that medium as
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well, and I haven’t really strayed into other forms, bar some photography,” Stenvall
explains. “While I’ve previously played with the idea of being an architect or furniture designer, when I was about 17, I was fully concentrated on visual art, and the other options just fell away. I felt a strong calling for painting, and even if I wouldn’t have made it to art school, I would still have tried my hand at a career as an artist.” Freedom and discipline
Kaj Stenvall
Stenvall attended art school in Turku in the 70s and has since made the city his home. Nowadays, 40 years into his career, Stenvall has found a comfortable daily routine of painting at the atelier in his
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Design and Art in Finland
home. “Funnily, one of the reasons I liked the idea of being an artist was that I wouldn’t have to wake up at 7am every morning, and that I could freely decide on my own working hours and the rhythm of my days. Of course now that I have a 7year-old daughter, I take her to school every morning, and by around 9am, I will be in my studio, fully awake and ready to work. “I have also adopted a very Lutheran work ethic from a young age. Discipline is what keeps me moving, and I’d get a guilty conscience if I didn’t put in a full day’s work. While it is still very much creative work, and you have to have plenty of imagination and fresh views on how to express things and find something essential at the heart of it all, there is still no room for spontaneity once the original idea is set.” Psychological studies on human nature Stenvall feels that his style and the subjects he tackles have stayed more or less consistent over the last 40 years. He still continues to create figurative paintings, while drawing inspiration from classic, traditional art. “At the core of it all, I’m creating certain kinds of psychological studies on human nature. It’s always about portraying humans, so the themes have not changed, and I aim to paint something that offers room for both heart
Strong Women, 2013, 65 x 50, oil on panel
and intellect, with its own kind of mystery added to it. I don’t want everything to be evident with one viewing; I want the effect to last a bit longer.”
broader audience. He has been voted one of the best-loved contemporary artists in Finland and continues to draw large audiences to his exhibitions.
The duck figure itself entered Stenvall’s work in the 80s when he decided to add modern imagery to a more traditional background. He wanted to see how a comic figure would fit into a more classical environment, and what effect the dynamic conflict between the two elements and a clash between two worlds would have on the viewer.
“What’s important for me is that I coincidentally found something that works in so many ways. I use the figure as a kind of link, something you should not really pay that much attention to; and there are plenty of people who, like me, just look right through it.”
“While comics were widely used in pop art, I wanted to do it in a slightly different way, by causing a bit of confusion among the viewers. Through this I found my own method and way of expressing things. The essential aspect is that I have used the figure as an alienating element, so the viewer cannot identify with it directly. Accordingly, it’s easier to express certain things, and in the best case scenario reach underneath someone’s skin, on an emotional level. The most important thing is to reach people, affect and touch them in some way.”
Kaj Stenvall’s work has been in demand outside Finland’s borders as well, with 18 exhibitions shown abroad to date, with a recent one presented in Stockholm and another taking place between 28.6-21.7 in Genova, Italy. Stenvall has never attempted to create art characterised by his origins or by using Finnish clichés; instead he employs a more universal language in his work. “I’ve never used my national identity as a starting point; instead it’s more about reflection on human existence and all the things that affect and move us,” Stenvall adds.
Beyond the duck and Finnish identity The duck figure is undeniably part of the reason why Stenvall has received a lot of attention and was also introduced to a
For more information, please visit: www.kajstenvall.com
The Savior, 90 x 120, oil on canvas, 2012
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark
Left: Olafor Eliasson’s stunning rooftop installation at Aros, Aarhus’s world-class art museum (Photo: Colourbox). Middle and right: Traditions mix with modern simplicity to create elegant and discrete luxury.
Hotel of the Month, Denmark
Best of Scandinavia right on your doorstep At Aarhus’s Hotel Oasia, clean lines and sleek design rule on the inside, with cultural icons and gourmet stars right outside. It all makes for a very Scandinavian experience. By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Hotel Oasia
A short walk from Hotel Oasia in the heart of Aarhus, architects Arne Jacobsen and Kim Møller’s iconic Aarhus City Hall stands as a symbol of Scandinavia’s classic design ethic. Inside the hotel, traditions mix with modern simplicity to create what the hotel calls “elegant and discrete luxury”. Hotel manager Ole Mortensen elaborates: “We offer quiet rooms in the town’s most bustling part, all in a stylish setting with some of the most prominent Nordic designer brands.” For guests, this means being surrounded by Montana furniture, reading by Lightyears lamps and getting a good night’s sleep in Hästens beds. World-class art and living history Hotel Oasia is situated within convenient reach of main transport links, with park-
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ing, the central rail station and airport buses close by. And with a range of weekend packages, the hotel provides ideal opportunities to explore attractions close by. For instance, extend the short City Hall walk a little and you will come to Aros, Aarhus’s world-class art museum featuring Olafor Eliasson’s stunning rooftop installation “Your Rainbow Panorama”. A little further still there is “The Old Town”, an open air museum of urban history and culture. From the streets of Hans Christian Andersen’s time to the 1970s, the experience lets you travel in time.
opted to cater to our guests’ tastes by these excellent value packages,” explains Ole Mortensen, whose staff is also happy to recommend other of the local area’s many dining spots. Happy travellers The combination of stylish, quiet rooms in a happening part of the city has proved a winning one. This is reflected in user-driven review site TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards 2012 and 2013, where Hotel Oasia was among the 25 Danish hotels on the list. “It means a lot to us,” says Ole Mortensen. “We try to do our best to make our guests feel at home, whether on business or leisure visits, so their opinion is very important to us.”
Gourmet getaway For discerning palates, Hotel Oasia has teamed up with local star chef Wassim Hallal and Restaurant Frederikshøj to offer special gourmet packages. “We serve breakfast at the hotel but otherwise have
For more information, please visit: www.hoteloasia.dk
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
Hotel of the Month, Norway
Enjoy an active holiday at Hotel Videseter Eager to showcase the treasures of Møre and Romsdal, Hotel Videseter is the ideal starting point for those seeking adventure and the more relaxed alike. By Anette Berve | Photos: Hotel Videseter
Hotel Videseter is open only during the summer season and is a traditional tourist hotel. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the Hjelle valley from panoramic windows from any part of the hotel. The restaurant seats up to 450 people in order to cater to cruise ship guests, but whether it be large groups or an individual guest, owner Per Garen takes a keen interest in making sure that everyone is taken good care of. The hotel is also a part of Motor Bike Hotels, Europe's first hotel group catering specifically to motorbike tourists. Hotel Videseter was built in 1903 for travellers passing through on horse and carriage, but in 1960, the hotel was badly damaged in an avalanche. Through hard work, the hotel reopened the following season. Today, the hotel is run by Garen and his family.
Day trips There is no lack of activities in the area, and the hotel is located at an ideal distance from all the major tourist attractions in western Norway; most significantly, it is close to the UNESCO heritage-listed Geiranger Fjord. Also worth a visit are Dalsnibba and the Briksdal Glacier. “We are very central, in the middle of nothing,” he explains. “Some of Norway’s most historic and popular tourist destinations are only a short drive away from the hotel, so it is perfect as a base camp,” explains Garen. His personal favourite activity is biking along the Old Stryne mountain road. The
trip from Grotli to Videseter is a day trip that has been popular for over 100 years and will take you through several historic places at your own pace. With several information spots along the route, it makes for the perfect way to navigate through the scenery while learning more about Norway. Due to the high altitude the snow does not melt until late summer, which creates an almost all-year skiing season. Stryn Summer Ski is just a short drive away, which means that a summer holiday can be combined with a ski trip. It is quite a surreal experience to ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon.
Top attractions in the area: • • • • •
Geiranger Fjord The Briksdal Glacier Dalsnibba The Eagle Road The Old Stryne Road
For more information, please visit: www.videseter.com
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Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Iceland
Hotel of the Month, Iceland
Small hotel with big character On the northern side of Hvalfjörður (Whale fjord) in western Iceland lies a unique and peaceful haven of a hotel. Set within serene surroundings, Hotel Glymur treats guests to bucketsful of charm, colourful décor and gorgeous views only 45 minutes from downtown Reykjavik. Whether on a family holiday, romantic break or a nature adventure, the hotel ticks the box for all types of travellers. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hotel Glymur
“We enjoyed everything – the cosy room, our excellent dinner, the best breakfast buffet in Iceland, attentive service and the perfectly placed hot tubs.” So goes one of many shining reviews on the TripAdvisor website, and there are many more that praise Hotel Glymur’s quiet setting and the beautiful surroundings. The location of the hotel is ideal in many ways as it is easy to reach from both Reykjavik and the airport. You are also in the vicinity of Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland; Snæfellsnes peninsula, which in-
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cludes the Snæfellsjökull volcano; and the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route that covers some of Iceland’s most stunning sights. There are also plenty of opportunities for more active adventures in nature, including hiking, sailing, horse riding, snowmobiling and dogsledding, not forgetting the great fishing areas provided by close-by lakes and rivers. Accommodation with wow factor Hotel Glymur, which was established 11 years ago, today includes 22 executive rooms, 3 suites and 6 villas. Each execu-
tive room forms a mini suite covering two floors, divided into a sitting room and sleeping area. The junior and master suites consist of two rooms, include private patios and gardens, and are all decked out with massaging corner bathtubs. The six luxury villas were added to the hotel in 2010, each offering its unique theme and atmosphere. The villas, named Elegance, Creativity, Couture, Romance, Family and Nature, come in two sizes, either with one or two bedrooms. Each con-
Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Iceland
sists of a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and a private hot tub in front. The villas have been designed with different types of visitors in mind, from couples looking for a romantic retreat to families wanting to spend time together. The colour schemes, beautiful décor and furniture reflect the six distinctive themes and offer guests truly unique experiences. All rooms, suites and villas include flatscreen TVs, free wireless Internet, unique selections of art, and provide spectacular views of the sea or mountains. A unique, welcoming environment Hotel manager Ragna and the staff at Hotel Glymur are also praised in the TripAdvisor reviews for giving “extremely good, detailed and personalised advice”. This is clearly what adds to the wonderfully welcoming atmosphere of the hotel: the staff is there to answer all questions and to attend to guests’ needs. If you wish, they will even wake you up when the northern lights appear in the wintery night sky. The whole hotel also serves as a gallery of art, crafts and historical artefacts, and there is plenty of space to just relax, including the popular bar area. At Hotel Glymur’s à la carte restaurant, you can taste delicious seafood dishes and tender lamb, among other things, and in the mornings, a sumptuous breakfast buffet is laid out for all guests. With so many wonderful factors helping to create Hotel Glymur’s unique atmosphere, what are the things the owners are most proud of? “It’s stylish and different. Nothing’s black and white. All our rooms, suites and villas have their very own character,” says Ragna. “It’s a small hotel with big character, great personal service, and all our guests are special in their own way.” Hotel Glymur consists of 22 executive rooms, 3 suites and 6 villas. It is located a 90-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport.
For more information, please visit: hotelglymur.is
Top: Outside the hotel on the way to the hot tubs Middle: Villa Nature - the living room and kitchen area, plus outdoor hot tub Bottom: Villa Romance - the bedroom, living room and kitchen area
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 75
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden
Attraction of the Month, Sweden
Art, activities, archipelago – all in tune with nature It has been a year since the huge stone, wood and concrete building at Hålludden outside Stockholm opened its doors to the public, bursting at the seams with art and towering over the Baltic Sea at Baggensfjärden. And what a year: the interest from journalists at home and abroad has been overwhelming, and Artipelag, as the gallery is called, has become a favourite haunt for Stockholmers who want an injection of world-class art, good food and unspoilt nature. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Charlie Bennet
You could say that Artipelag is Björn Jakobson’s baby, which is apt seeing he is also the founder and CEO of the hugely
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successful BabyBjörn. An avid sailor and ice skater, and as a general admirer of the great outdoors, he wanted to create a
beautiful space where art, culture and nature could meet. He found the grounds at Hålludden, and the rest is history. Architecture in tune with nature As Jakobson set out to find an architect for the job, he had to move quickly: drawings had to be completed and submitted before the planning permission, which had already been granted, expired. Then he met Johan Nyrén, who said: “I won’t give you Bilbao, but an installation in tune with nature – that I can do.” The result was a very Nordic-looking creation that almost disappears between the pine trees, only really visible as you approach the cape from the water because of the reflections in the big glass panels. Arriving by bus, on the other hand, one is greeted by an impressive concrete open-
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Sweden
ing which becomes the beginning of a distinctively unparalleled gallery experience. Summer exhibitions on the theme of nature Along came Bo Nilsson, renowned curator with experience from the very best of the world’s legendary art houses, as Artipelag’s artistic director. Borrowing works from museums in Sweden and beyond, the art gallery has received praise aplenty – and rightly so, as its security and climate control are among the best in the country. This summer sees the nature theme evolve with two exciting new exhibitions. In Hello Nature, Massachusetts-born William Wegman, most famous for his photographs of Weimaraner dogs, uses paintings, sketches, collage and video to explore what nature means in our culture. The exhibition runs from 25 May until the end of September and has garnered a lot of interest in art circles. Occupying 13,000 square feet, the Artipelag gallery’s first ever pure design initiative, One, two, tree!, tells the story of wood as a design material, including the pinewood boom in the 1970s and the current wood revival, spurred on by the demand for environmentally conscious product design. All in all, Artipelag will be buzzing with the very ethos that first inspired its founding father. Eat, meet and greet But there is more to Artipelag than art. The name brings together the words art, activity and archipelago, and this place is certainly all about experiencing the beauty of the water and its hidden gems outside Stockholm. With a café for lighter meals and coffee and an upstairs à la carte
Björn Jakobson (top right, Photo: Lena Gelin) and his wife made the place what it is: from the footbridge through the woods along the water, to the rock that pushes through the floor of the restaurant, finished with a candelabra designed by the couple’s daughter.
restaurant, both with sea views and accessible for wheelchairs and prams, Artipelag caters not only for the family brunch or mid-week lunch escape but also for private parties and weddings. Conference guests can use the spacious, hi-tech equipped Artbox or hire the entire magnificent building, and there are private pavilions overlooking the sea for smaller meetings or dinners. The sky is the limit – both visually and figuratively. The Louisiana of Sweden Artipelag has been dubbed “the Louisiana of Sweden”, and that is a compliment, no doubt. But what it fails to capture is the spirit of Björn Jakobson and his wife Lillemor, the two well-travelled nature and art
enthusiasts who made the place what it is: from the one-kilometre-long footbridge through the woods along the water, to the rock that pushes through the floor of the restaurant like a big centrepiece, finished with a candelabra designed by the couple’s daughter Siri Seger. What is not to love? Get the boat from Nybrokajen or the Artipelag bus from Vasagatan bang in the middle of Stockholm, or drive out in just 20 minutes and enjoy freshly made food courtesy of head chef Fredrik Björlin, captain of the Swedish national culinary team. The name says it all, really: it is art and activity in the archipelago – all in tune with nature.
Hello Nature – William Wegman 25 May to 29 Sep One, two, tree! 14 Jun to 21 Aug
For more information, please visit: www.artipelag.se Left: William Wegman, Slightly, 1999; Hello Nature. Right: Woodstock by Lars Stensö; One, two, tree!
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 77
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland
The Viking Village consists of a Viking-style restaurant, bar, cottages, and hotel with sauna and geothermal hot tub for relaxation; and this year’s Viking festival takes place 14-17 June.
Attraction of the Month, Iceland
Eat, live and celebrate like the Vikings Enter the Viking Village in the seaside town of Hafnarfjörður, in the Greater Reykjavík Area, and be transported back in time to the Viking Age. Here you can sample Viking-inspired dishes, sip on some mead and enjoy live entertainment, all in a oneof-a-kind setting, and then retreat to a Viking cottage or the distinctively furnished Hotel Viking. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Viking Village
Consisting of a hotel, cottages, a restaurant, dining hall, bar and souvenir shop, the village has been over 20 years in the making and is still growing, with a new expansion to the hotel planned for next year. The proud owner and the Icelandic Viking in charge, Jóhannes Viðar Bjarnason, believes that people visit the village to experience something different, something that is not available anywhere else. “Our speciality is traditional Icelandic cuisine, and there is really no restaurant like ours anywhere else in the world. The art on the walls has been directly painted on or carved into the wood; it’s almost like a museum,” says Viðar Bjarnason. “We also have great actors and singers and offer live entertainment on most nights.”
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With the staff garbed in period costumes, you really feel like you are amongst Vikings. Here guests can get stuck into the Viking Restaurant’s traditional dishes, including lamb, dried fish and shark, or, if feeling less adventurous, choose something from its European standard menu, and just sit back and soak in the authentic atmosphere. At the village’s hotel, which currently comprises 43 rooms decorated in Viking or a West Nordic style, guests are greeted with fine art and crafts from Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The hotel also offers wireless Internet access, free parking, and a sauna and geothermal hot tub for relaxation. For slightly more traditional accommodation, guests can
stay in one of the village’s 14 cottages that are decorated in Viking style and accommodate up to 5 people. As an added fun twist to their stay, groups can also be “kidnapped” from their bus by the Vikings and taken to the Cave bar, where “the prisoners” will be offered mead and regaled with Viking songs and stories. The village also hosts an annual Viking festival, taking place on the 14-17 June this year, which attracts Viking enthusiast from all over Europe. The festival attractions include a handcraft market, battle re-enactments, storytelling, music and much more.
The Viking Village is a 10-minute drive from central Reykjavík and close to the international airport in Keflavík and the Blue Lagoon. For more information, please visit: www.vikingvillage.is
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark
The highlight of the Læsø Scampi Festival is the cooking competition, overseen by a panel of professional judges who will award the winner with the Golden Scampi Claw (bottom left).
Attraction of the Month, Denmark
The island of delicious ingredients The small Danish island, Læsø, is known for its high-quality produce. Besides the famous salt, there is everything from organic vegetables to herbs, newly laid eggs from free-range chickens and fresh seafood caught the same day. Every year on the first Saturday of August, Læsø Scampi Festival takes place on the island. This year the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary. By Rikke Oberlin Flarup | Photos: Lars Gundersen
On 3 August this summer, the annual Læsø Scampi Festival invites thousands of food-loving guests to a culinary experience out of the ordinary. Throughout the festival, local restaurants will be present selling food related to scampi. Visitors will be able to bite into a wide range of mouth-watering specialities while enjoying the buzz of the site. The highlight of the day is the cooking competition where a handful of Scandinavia’s best chefs will prepare dishes made from local produce using scampi as the main ingredient. This year, the owner of Nordisk Spisehus and Malling & Schmidt in Aarhus, master chef Thorsten Schmidt, will be among the participants. A panel of professional judges will decide on a winner who will be awarded the Golden Scampi Claw.
Three years ago, a selection of dishes from the cooking competition was published in a cookbook carrying a variation of just that name: The Treasure of Læsø, Denmark. A Scampi Cookbook. This year, a new edition of the cookbook will be released in honour of the festival’s 10th anniversary; and due to the large number of tourists visiting the island for the festival every year, the new edition has been translated into both English and German. Throughout the years, Læsø Scampi Festival has grown into an enormous success. Visitors planning to stay on the island overnight in this period are advised to book their hotels well in advance. But do not worry if you have not yet reserved your accommodation for this year’s festival. You can easily visit Læsø for the day while staying at a hotel on the mainland in the town of Frederikshavn.
Læsø’s golden treasure It is a great privilege for the island to have such a big catch of scampi every year, which is why the locals also refer to the crayfish as the “Treasure of Læsø”.
For more information, please visit: www.jomfruhummerfestival.dk www.visitlaesoe.dk
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 79
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway
Attraction of the Month, Norway
Be a pop star for the day Popular music might not be everyone’s favourite music genre, but we all have a connection to it. As soon as someone hits the play button, we travel back in time to when we were young, reckless and carefree. At Popsenteret, the house of popular music in Oslo, you can relive these times, as well as getting your 15 minutes of fame – all on the same day. By Kjersti Westeng | Photos: Popsenteret
Popsenteret is a four-floor exploration centre and museum situated on Grünerløkka in central Oslo. The interactive activity centre opened in November 2011 and takes visitors on a journey through 100 years of popular music history. Artistic director Paal Ritter Schjerven was one of the pioneers of the project, along with a group of people who saw popular music as a cultural heritage that deserved to be taken better care of.
Schjerven says: “Popular music is very universal and almost everyone has memories of listening to one or another genre of popular music when growing up. We wanted to take care of those memories and cherish popular music as a cultural heritage we share with other European countries.” The main exhibition at Popsenteret is a journey in time, from the first commercial
recordings of popular music until today. Through visuals, text and music, the exhibition starts out in 1904 when the Gramophone Company from London recorded the first pop songs in Norway. Schjerven explains: “The exhibition shows the Norwegian reaction to everything that happens in the rest of the world: the birth of rock music, Elvis, the Beatles, Woodstock, disco, punk and so on.” The exhibition features famous Norwegian pop artists such as a-ha, as well as giving visitors an introduction to unique genres such as Norwegian black metal. After travelling through the history of popular music, it is time to have your own 15 minutes of fame. The centre has five studios where visitors can record and mix their own songs, take photos and create an album cover and download it to their phone to take home. If you are feeling particularly brave, you can step up on stage to perform in front of a simulated audience. Schjerven says: “Everyone has their own relationship to pop music, and a visit to Popsenteret will not just bring back old memories but also give you the opportunity to be a pop star for the day.” For more information, please visit: www.popsenteret.no
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Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland
Forest Outing exhibition; Albert Edelfelt, Girl Knitting, 1886, Oil on canvas, Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation
ART DECO and the Arts, France-Finlande 1905-1935, exhibition; Väinö Blomstedt: Beach Idyll, 1927. Oil on canvas. Private collection. Photo: Kari Silta
Attraction of the Month, Finland
Art Deco masterpieces and a walk through the forest
The multisensory exhibition merges nature with art with the help of sculptures and paintings by artists such as Berndt Lindholm, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Pekka Halonen and Yrjö Liipola.
This summer, visitors to Amos Anderson Art Museum in Helsinki are introduced to French and Finnish Art Deco masterpieces as well as being invited on a Forest Outing for the whole family. By Nia Kajastie
The former residence-cum-office of successful Finnish businessman, publisher and patron of the arts Amos Anderson (1878-1961) today houses the largest private art museum in Finland. Set smack in the centre of Helsinki, the diverse and characterful museum is spread out over nine floors and still retains parts of Anderson’s private home, including his chapel. The museum is home to one of the largest private collections of art in Finland, which contains pieces that belonged to Amos Anderson himself. The collection’s works range from paintings, sculptures and drawings to furniture and ceramic objects, and consist of primarily Finnish art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Different selections of the artwork are always on display at the museum, including architect Sigurd Frosterus’ considerable collection. The museum hosts around seven exhibitions every year, which are built around special themes and include both contem-
porary and more traditional art from Finland and abroad. Currently showing are Forest Outing, an exhibition for the whole family, and ART DECO and the Arts, France-Finlande 1905–1935. “The Art Deco exhibition is wide-ranging and should offer something for everyone. It doesn’t reveal the whole truth about the Art Deco period, but instead focuses on the relationship between Finnish and French art of that time. In fact, half of the pieces are French, including work by Maurice Denis and his contemporaries,” explains senior curator Kaj Martin.
Top left: Museum facade. Photo: Jussi Tiainen; Top right: Drawing room; Below: Private chapel. Photos: Museokuva
Amos Anderson Art Museum Yrjönkatu 27, FIN-00101 Helsinki Opening times: Mon, Thurs & Fri 10 am-6 pm Tues closed
The Forest Outing, on the other hand, is an exhibition aimed at the whole family, especially the little ones. “There are very few art exhibitions in Finland that are aimed directly at children, but this is one of them. We’ve designed a forest path that travels through the seasons, featuring, among other things, a lynx cave you can crawl into, a bird observation tower and different workshops,” says Martin.
Wed 10 am-8 pm Sat & Sun 11 am-5 pm Current exhibitions: ART DECO and the Arts (until 21.7.2013) Forest Outing (until 24.2.2014)
For more information, please visit: www.amosanderson.fi
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 81
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark
Restaurant of the Month, Denmark
Culinary ambitions and local appeal With a combination of high-quality menus, home-baked bread and a flexible catering service, UNICO Restaurant and Catering has transformed the image of a golf club restaurant. Located at Aarhus Golf Club, ten minutes from central Aarhus, the restaurant attracts a broad mix of golfers, families, travellers and businesses. By Signe Hansen | Photos: UNICO
Founded in 2010, UNICO came into being through its founders’, Rune Aaby and Anders Udengaard, unswerving dedication to good food. “We wanted to create a place where everything was homemade and of a high quality, but at the same time approachable for everyone,” explains restaurant manager Aaby. “We might be located at a golf course, but actually the golf players constitute just a small share of our guests. We have a great part of the local businesses among our regulars, and, as time has passed, we have expanded our
clientele to include families and young couples as well. We are not snobbish; people like to come here because of our familiar and calm atmosphere.” Before setting up their own restaurant, Aaby and UNICO’s kitchen chef Anders Udengaard were colleagues at Prins Ferdinand, one of Aarhus’s best gourmet restaurants. The couple had high ambitions for their new place from the beginning. They
wanted it to be not just a restaurant but also a bakery and a catering service. Today, UNICO’s slow-rise sourdough bread has become a staple in many households, and, every weekend, locals flock to the golf club to collect freshly baked breakfast rolls. At the same time, UNICO’s kitchen stirs together approximately 3,000-4,000 orders every week. The meals are not just served in the restaurant but include a popular “everyday” takeaway meal, a gourmet takeaway menu, and menus and buffets for external events. “Very often the organisers of a party have a very specific idea of what kind of food and service they want, and we always try to accommodate those wishes. A lot of places operate with a set menu and concept, which guests then have to accept, but we deliver a very flexible catering service; we can deliver the food, send out our chef or send out both chef and waiters,” explains Aaby. UNICO’s restaurant, which includes a large terrace, can seat up to 90 guests who, alongside the friendly atmosphere and great food, can enjoy a lovely view of the golf course. For more information, please visit: restaurantunico.dk
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
Restaurant of the Month, Finland
Savonia’s summer hangout The arrival of the first warm, summery days brings Kuopio’s harbour to life; a sunhungry, buzzing crowd of people descends on the city’s largest terrace and favourite summer hangout, Restaurant Wanha Satama (Old Harbour), for drinks, fresh fish dishes and local treats – topped off by live entertainment. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Restaurant Wanha Satama
Set in the Finnish Lakeland area and Northern Savonia region in central Finland, Kuopio is a lively summer city that hosts a variety of events, from wine to music festivals, accompanied by beautiful lake views. The city received its official harbour for lake traffic in 1856, together with a customs office building designed by Carl Albert Edelfelt. Since 1992, the building has operated as a restaurant, which today forms one of the city’s foremost entertainment hubs in the summer season. “The restaurant attracts people because it’s set right by the lake, and on a sunny day, we can see the train of people making their way here from a distance,” says project manager Jorma Iivanainen. “The old log building adds to the restaurant’s
and Savonian food, the menu also includes more standard options, from steak to sandwiches.
Restaurant Wanha Satama is open in the summer season from around Walpurgis Night/May Day until the end of August. It is located at the passenger harbour in Kuopio on the shores of Kallavesi. Kuopio can be reached from Helsinki by road or rail in a few hours.
natural atmosphere, and we have plenty of entertainment on offer, including jazz, blues, rock and dance music.” One highlight of the summer is the LUMO music festival in June, which takes place at Restaurant Wanha Satama. Taste the Savonian “fish rooster” The restaurant’s menu offers, as expected, several fish dishes, including salmon, perch and vendace, as well as the traditional Savonian dish kalakukko (which translates to “fish rooster”, or more archaically “fish purse”), which consists of fish baked into a rye bread shell. The so-called “Fish boat” is also very popular with patrons as the buffet includes a selection of fresh fish, kalakukko, salads, bread and spreads. In addition to Finnish
For more information, please visit: www.wanhasatama.net
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 83
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Culinary traditions at modern Tjuvholmen Fru K wants to bring Norwegian culinary traditions back to life, with a modern twist. With Norwegian top chef Kari Innerå handling the knives, the restaurant is fast becoming the culinary hotspot of Oslo. By Anette Berve | Photos: Marte Garmann
The new neighbourhood of Tjuvholmen, a peninsula at the tip of Aker Brygge, has become the prime example of bold contemporary Norwegian architecture. In the heart of it all lies the newly opened hotel The Thief, the flagship of Norwegian hotel tycoon Petter Stordalen’s chain of hotels. The Thief is his most ambitious project yet, intending to provide a curated hotel experience. And so is the independent hotel restaurant, Fru K. Head of communications Siri Løining Kolderup explains that The Thief and Fru K aim to be the heart and soul of Tjuvholmen and to add life and character to the
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area previously seen as the business quarter of Oslo. “The hotel creates a pulse on the peninsula, and the restaurant was designed with the locals in mind. Together I believe they form a very strong brand, and we attract a broad variety of international and domestic guests, locals and business clientele.” The Thief is the first Norwegian hotel to have made it to the Condé Nast Traveller HOT LIST 2013, and Kolderup believes it is down to the fact that they dared to be ambitious. “We have curated a hotel experience and tailored our experiences. It is typically Norwegian to desire to please
everyone, but we wanted to focus on offering something new and different. Tjuvholmen has become a centre of culture and art with the best to offer when it comes to galleries, museums and restaurants.” Fru K is the only restaurant in the area to base its entire menu on Norwegian produce. A little bit of history The name Fru K, which translates to Mrs K, comes from the owner of the peninsula in the 1800s. Mrs. Krogh used the land as grazing ground for her cows. Nowadays, the only cattle you will find here are the cows signed Damian Hirst, safely rounded up in the Astrup Fearnley museum. “To us the name Fru K represents the old and the traditional. Then I guess it was a bit of a coincidence that our executive chef ended up being Kari Innerå. She is our modern Mrs K.”
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway Head chef Kari Innerå
Conscious cooking Fru K has a strong culinary concept with a focus on traditions and an equally strong emphasis on conscious cooking. “Sustainable and conscious cooking is important to Fru K. Innerå knows her suppliers and farmers. She knows where the sheep graze, where the vegetables are grown and where to find the juiciest apples.” The strong focus on environmentally friendly solutions is characteristic of
Nordic Hotels & Resorts and The Thief. The company highlights the importance of going green, from the field to the table. This includes knowing their suppliers, buying local produce, even preparing their own preserves for breakfast. “To us quality is more important than quantity, and we notice that our gests expect more from us. Especially after the latest horsemeat scandals, it is more important than ever to know where your food comes from.”
while still being in a buzzing restaurant. Kolderup is proud to see that their dream of creating a new breed of hotels has proved a success and feels that Oslo is beginning to re-brand itself. “Norway is so much more than fjords, mountains and brown cheese. I feel that after the new opera house was built, Oslo has dared to showcase our city differently and focus on the hidden gems. We want to invite people to experience Norway the new way.”
Re-branding Norway Innerå has selected the best chefs, waiting staff and wine connoisseurs that Norway has to offer. Her controlled and calm demeanour allows for the restaurant to have an open kitchen solution. “We want the guest to experience a closeness with the kitchen, the way Innerå knows her suppliers. Everything is open and transparent, and as a customer you can see the heart and soul of the restaurant.” The décor with carefully selected earth colours, brass lanterns and velour chairs creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Chairs with high backs make each table feel like a private dining area and create the impression that your zone is yours alone,
Introducing Fru K: - Located at the newly developed Tjuvholmen in Oslo - Award-winning chef Kari Innerå - Independent hotel restaurant inside The Thief - Seats 100 persons - Chambre Separée for up to 16 people - 24-hour hot food service to hotel guests - Private terrace open all year
For more information, please visit: www.fru-k.no www.thethief.com
Photo: Studio Dreyer Hensley
Kari Innerå is one of Norway’s most prominent female chefs, a former member of the Norwegian National Culinary team with experience at top restaurants such as Blue Bird, Mirabelle and Bagatelle. Her trademark is the use of traditional Norwegian produce while incorporating modern techniques. “Innerå has developed a small but strong menu with focus on traditional Norwegian food people might have forgotten, but it is anything but predictable cooking. She always looks for specialities with a little twist, like her signature brown cheese soufflé. We serve dishes you might not necessarily expect to find at a top restaurant.”
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Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Iceland
Restaurant of the Month, Iceland
Pizza, salted fish and warm smiles in beautiful Akureyri Set in the beautiful north of Iceland, Greifinn Restaurant has, thanks to its inviting atmosphere, famous pizzas and Icelandic specialities, become one of the country’s mostvisited restaurants. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Greifinn Restaurant
Greifinn Restaurant was founded as a small pizzeria in the beautiful town of Akureyri in 1990; before long, the place was renowned for its tasty specialty – the Greifapizza. Its location in Akureyri – a popular base for exploring north Iceland’s stunning, rugged landscapes – further helped turn the restaurant into a flourishing business. Today, it is, with room for 150 guests and a menu comprising a broad, eclectic selection of dishes, one of Iceland’s biggest. Since 2006, Greifinn Restaurant has been run by Arinbjörn Thórarinsson, who grew up in Akureyri and spent his teenage afternoons spinning pizzas in the restaurant’s kitchen. These days he turns out a more varied selection of, among other things, soups, salads, sandwiches, grilled meats and salted fish. “Salted cod is an Icelandic speciality, which is used a lot in Icelandic home
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cooking. It’s a very fine ingredient, and we like to present it in different ways such as fish steaks, sandwiches and pizza with salted fish,” explains Thórarinsson. As far as possible, Thórarinsson and his team strive to source all ingredients from high-quality local producers. The ingredients are served in tasty, nicely presented and well-sized portions. “The quality of our ingredients and the preparation of them are of utmost importance to us. But we also strive to provide a fast and pleasant service in a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere,” says Thórarinsson, and rounds off: “You don’t need to dress up to visit us – just come by with the children and enjoy a fast, friendly and unpretentious dinner.” Greifinn Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner all year round from 11.30am to 11pm. Akureyri is located at the Eyjafjordur Fjord five hours from Reykjavik. The town is, with 17,200 inhabitants, the largest outside the capital area. Greifinn Restaurant is situated five minutes from the centre of Akureyri.
Address: Glerárgata 20, 600 Akureyri
For more information, please visit: www.greifinn.is
Scan Magazine | Food | TotallySwedish
“We stock a lot of exciting Swedish foods, gift items and drinks. One of the products we're most proud of selling is the popular Swedish whisky from Mackmyra, which has received excellent reviews from whiskey experts.” For those who choose alcohol-free drinks this midsummer, TotallySwedish have a new drink in stock: Lingon 100%, which is made of freshly squeezed lingonberries, nothing added, nothing taken away. It's full of antioxidants and has a fresh, sharp taste which makes it suitable as an alcohol-free snaps. “Lingon 100% is produced by Saxhyttegubben from lingonberries freshly picked from the forests around Grythyttan and Hällefors. They also produce Blåbär 100%, a drink which is an excellent alternative to red wine, praised by Swedish wine experts.” Left: Annethe Nathan, founder of TotallySwedish (Photo: Monika Agorelius). Right: A Swedish salmon dish, and Swedish textiles designed by Nyblom Kollén (Photo: Carina Gran).
TotallySwedish gears up for midsummer TotallySwedish, with its two London stores and online shop, is stocking up in preparation for midsummer. The tradition of celebrating the summer solstice dates back to pagan times, and Swedish midsummer is celebrated on midsummer's eve, which this year falls on 21 June. By Emelie Krugly-Hill | Photos: Courtesy of TotallySwedish
“For many Swedes, midsummer is the most important tradition after Christmas,” says Annethe Nathan, founder and owner of TotallySwedish. A typical midsummer party entails wearing flowers in your hair, dancing around a decorated maypole, and singing the Små grodorna song. A traditional midsummer smörgåsbord includes pickled herring with new potatoes accompanied by lots of snaps and traditional Swedish drinking songs such as Helan går. “We are well prepared for midsummer,” says Annethe Nathan. “We'll be stocking a variety of delicious gourmet pickled her-
ring and smoked salmon from Äspets Smokery in Åhus in Skåne, snaps drinks, and Swedish new potatoes. We're also stocking a range of organic Swedish regional products, which have been awarded with Husmansbord certificates. The Husmanbord-awarded fruit cordials and lingonberry and cloudberry jams from Torfolk Gård in the Värmland region are very popular with our customers.” Other popular products include Peter’s Yard’s crisp breads, dill and sour cream flavoured crisps, cheeses, caviar, pick 'n' mix sweets, award-winning liquorice from Lakritsfabriken in Ramlösa, Skåne, and the delightful ice cream from GB Glace.
TotallySwedish, which was founded in 2005, has two stores in London (32 Crawford Street, London W1, and 66 Barnes High Street, London SW13). They stock a wide range of fine Swedish products: groceries, a children's range, books, magazines, greeting cards and Swedish art and design. “The interest in Swedish food has grown in London and the UK over the past couple of years, which for us is amazing. Brits find Swedish food exotic and exciting,” says Annethe Nathan, who might have a special surprise in store for her midsummer customers. Without revealing too much she gives us the hint that the window display might have something to do with it!
For more information, please visit: www.totallyswedish.com
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 87
Photo: Alena Grek
Scan Magazine | Food | Ågot Lian
Norwegian seafood in a Norwegian environment Set on the town square in Trondheim, Ågot Lian is a restaurant whose owner is determined to put fish back on the menu for Norwegians. By Anette Berve | Photos: Pile/Kalland Foto
Before Anne Morkemo opened Ågot Lian in 2011, she counted 56 pizza places in Trondheim but only one decent seafood restaurant. Having lived on the west coast of Norway for several years, where seafood is frequently used, she felt that the city desperately needed a reintroduction to seafood. “The main food resource and main export in Norway is fish, but we don’t eat it ourselves. I truly believe that people should eat more seafood and that is where our vision stems from: we want to teach everyone to enjoy seafood.”
Norwegian produce. The seafood is caught along the Norwegian coast and vegetables come from local farmers. Beverages like beer and fruit juices are also local. Lamps and chairs are classic Norwegian design. Delicatessen
Norwegian design
As well as being a restaurant, Ågot Lian houses a small delicatessen with homemade products as well as imported goods that can accompany a seafood meal. Almost everything served at the restaurant can also be taken home: home-made fishcakes, bacalao, herring and curry mayonnaise.
Morkemo describes the concept of the restaurant as “Norwegian food in a Norwegian environment”. Located in an old pharmaceutical building from 1775, she has made sure that, when possible, every detail is Norwegian design and the food is
Morkemo is passionate about seafood and its health benefits and wants to prove to people that fish is not complicated or time consuming to prepare. She feels that preparing fish has become lost knowl-
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edge to Norwegians, but she hopes to change that. “The food trend sweeping Norway is a focus on healthy and homemade cooking, but we see that the restaurant industry is offering everything but that. We work hard at making healthy options available for all ages.” Anne explains that they want to reach everyone, from children to teenagers and grownups. She especially focuses on inspiring children to eat more fish, and therefore often arranges catering for football cups, kindergartens and graduations. “Trøndelag has its own food manifesto that says the city should focus on local produce and healthy eating; it is important that we think before we eat, and I believe that people put more effort into their cooking and preparing home-made meals. It is an on-going change and we want to be a part of that.” For more information, please visit: www.agotlian.no
Scan Magazine | Food | KingCrab House
night. Accordingly, Peippo recommends that customers book a table in advance, either directly or through their hotel. So next time you are in Levi, ring up KingCrab House for your reservation, and sit back and enjoy the Arctic Sea’s delights as well as the buzzing atmosphere created by plenty of customers and energetic waiters. “We have an excellent staff who make sure everyone arrives and leaves in a great mood,” adds Peippo.
Dine on delectable Arctic seafood at Levi resort Since last November, opened just in time for the Alpine Ski World Cup in Levi, KingCrab House has been serving delicacies from the Arctic Sea to a happy blend of patrons, from locals to families on vacation. Here, you can select your own king crab from the restaurant’s aquarium or, if you are not a fan of seafood, tuck into a pepper steak, while kids can choose from their own menu. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: KingCrab House
KingCrab House is located centrally in the village of Sirkka, which forms part of the popular Levi holiday and ski resort in Lapland, and, after a summer break, the restaurant is opening its doors in good time for midsummer, on 17 June. With KingCrab House, the restaurant’s owners Håkon and Toini Karlsen have brought a piece of northern Norway to Finnish Lapland. The Norwegian couple have been running a hotel and fish restaurant in Repvåg, North Cape, for 20 years, and their idea was to bring the same atmosphere and cuisine over the border. With Norwegian-style maritime decoration and the fresh high-quality seafood sourced from northern Norway, KingCrab
House forms a one-of-a-kind experience in Finland. In addition to the restaurant’s namesake crustacean, which is served in several different ways, it also serves shrimp, blue mussels, catfish and other such Arctic delights, as well as non-seafood options like pepper steak and lamb. “One of the big favourites of the last season was the king crab with coconut and chilli sauce, while on the fish side, the fried catfish has been a big hit,” says daily manager Laura Peippo. While KingCrab House is still a relative newcomer in Levi, the last high season saw it packed with patrons almost every
KingCrab House is open from 17 June until end of September, and opens again in time for the Alpine Ski World Cup in Levi. Find the restaurant at: Marjankuja 6, F-99130 Sirkka, Levi, Finland Make your reservation by calling: Tel. +358 400 138 333
For more information, please visit: www.kingcrabhouse.fi or search for KingCrab House on Facebook
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Scan Business | Key Note | Mannaz
Scan Business Key Note 90 | Business Feature 92 | Conferences of the Month 94 | Business Calendar 96
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“The Joy of Conflict” By Paul Blackhurst, Client Director, Mannaz
What would you say is the opposite of conflict? When I meet organisations and teams where there is no conflict, I more often find a climate of apathy than peace. Conflict comes in two forms: the first is known as cognitive conflict. This is where people disagree on the facts or the logic of a situation but respect each other enough to explore each other’s point of view. This is the healthy form of conflict. One major benefit of team working is the opportunity to integrate and build upon different viewpoints in this way. In an atmosphere of trust and respect, people are able to present their points of view, listen to each other and use their creative brains to solve problems together as assertive adults seeking a win-win. On the other hand, when people have experienced an environment which does not support conflict, perhaps where the senior members of the team use position power to win arguments or a perfunctory vote to end exploration of the issues, people learn not to ask difficult questions, and say what the boss wants to hear. This in not peace and harmony, this is unhealthy apathy which leads to sub-optimal decisions, demotivated people and deluded, hubristic managers.
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The other kind of conflict is not so healthy. Affective conflict is where people have become hijacked by their emotions. The limbic system which is designed for our survival can fire off when it perceives a threat. We all have “red buttons”, sensitive issues where even the perception of a threat will trigger an emotional response. Some people are good at hiding these emotions, but, nevertheless, they are there and they are supported by adrenaline and other chemicals designed to keep us alive through “fight or flight”. The limbic system responds much faster to external stimuli than the more evolved parts of our brains. When the limbic system is in control, the creative, assertive, calm part of our brain is effectively shut down. Rarely does anything good come from affective conflict. Usually, the best course of action is to stop, breathe and ask a question. Then we can begin to explore the cognitive conflict which is potentially so useful. So, don’t avoid conflict, create it, but make sure it is the right kind of conflict. It is an energy we can use to create something innovative. It is the grit in the oyster that creates the pearl.
Paul Blackhurst, Client Director, Mannaz
ForFor more information, more information,please please visit: visit: www.mannaz.com www.mannaz.com or email pbl@mannaz.com or email pbl@mannaz.com
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Scan Business | Feature | Rawbite
Rawbite founders (from left to right) Morten Fullerton, Nikolaj Lehmann and Rolf Nolsøe Bau.
A tasty bite with a raw philosophy Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. This was the view that led three Danes to create Rawbite, a 100 per cent natural, organic fruit and nut bar. The bar, which was awarded Health Food of the Year 2011, has become a staple within surprisingly diversified environments, including the military, health food and sports industries. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Rawbite
As a part of the Danish defence’s individual field rations and distributed in more than 20 countries, Rawbite has travelled a long way since its modest beginning in 2009. The first specimen of the bar was chopped up and put together on a kitchen table by the three friends Morten Fullerton, Rolf Nolsøe Bau and Nikolaj Lehmann. All three founders are eager sportsmen, and Bau and Lehmann had worked in the fitness industry for years when the Rawbite idea surfaced.
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“One night, we were hanging around the grill discussing how the market was short of a product which was natural, healthy and easy to eat. There were plenty of energy bars on the market, but we hadn’t found any that we liked and most were filled with sugar and additives,” explains Morten Fullerton. “We started chopping up ingredients and trying out different recipes; we wanted to create something simple, with a great taste and a high nutritious value.”
The result was the Rawbite bar, which today comes in six different variations, all organic, natural and gluten- and lactosefree with no preservatives or added sugar. For high-performance tasks – or a movie Because of its natural composition Rawbite helps maintain a steady blood sugar level and provides a long-lasting source of energy. Accordingly, the bars are used by the Danish archery team as well as several top athletes and Olympic participants,
Scan Business | Feature | Rawbite
covering activities such as triathlon, badminton, and CrossFit. Rawbite has also, as the only food bar, been selected to be included in the Danish defence forces’ individual field rations. Before being selected the bars were tested by the Danish military in the Middle East and the Sirius Patrol, a small naval unit patrolling ice-covered northern Greenland by dog sledge. “One thing which was important to them was that the product did not change in hot or cold surroundings, and uniquely, because there is no added sugar in Rawbite, it does not melt or harden in these conditions,” explains Fullerton. “Another thing which the tests showed was that the soldiers simply function better when they eat something natural.” The bar has not just become a hit in endurance-demanding fields but also in the cinemas of the Danish capital. In some the bar even outsells regular chocolate bars. Simple, honest and healthy The philosophy behind Rawbite is simple,
or, as the founders prefer to call it, “raw”. The ambition was plainly to create a simple, honest and healthy product. But the fact that the idea was uncomplicated did not mean that its execution was. Ensuring that the natural ingredients remained fresh without adding preservatives took a lot of testing and designing. “Because we wanted to use the ingredients fresh, not boiled or cooked beyond recognition, we had to work with some of the best researchers within natural food preservation,” explains Fullerton. Combining simple philosophy and advanced packaging technology allowed the founders to reach their goal: all variations of Rawbite contain only natural ingredients, but at the same time, the bar is handy and easy to bring along. ”Rawbite is great when you feel peckish; you can have it in your sports bag, the car or include it in your lunch box,” says Fullerton. More to come In 2011, the Danish Health Food Store Industry awarded Rawbite the Health Food of the Year Award. With the bar’s growing
success arose a desire to expand the selection with a protein bar. Therefore the three friends have, for more than a year, been working on finding a way to achieve a great taste without adding artificial flavourings and large amounts of sweetener. This has not previously been possible with the use of conventional protein powders. “Now, we’ve finally found our natural and organic protein sources, which means that we can produce probably the tastiest protein bar ever,” explains Fullerton. “We have to feel that it is the most amazing product in the world and really love it before we launch a new Rawbite. At the end, for us, it’s about nutritious, natural and tasty food, but most importantly it’s about enjoying life and every bite of it.”
For more information, please visit: www.rawbite.eu
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Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Finland
Conference of the Month, Finland
Helsinki’s legendary Hall of Culture reopens its doors The Helsinki Hall of Culture, originally inaugurated in 1958, has reopened its doors after a major renovation, now offering plenty of new and versatile meeting facilities. The building, designed by renowned Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, exudes the atmosphere of past decades while still offering a contemporary framework for conferences and events of different sizes. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: The Helsinki Hall of Culture
For over 50 years, the Helsinki Hall of Culture has been known as a popular concert venue, hosting everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa to Queen and Led Zeppelin, as well as one of Alvar Aalto’s main works within the capital city. Following the renovation, the classically stylish yet distinctive building, set in the Alppila quarter of Helsinki, now forms a multipurpose culture, events and congress centre. Fresh additions to the building include conference facilities suitable for 10-150 participants with state-of-the-art technical equipment, as well as the impressive and unique 101-seat Alvar auditorium.
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Some meeting rooms are adaptable with removable partition walls and modifiable furnishings. While the traditional Aalto hall, which seats up to 1452 people, is suitable for larger events, from congresses to gala evenings. “The venue is highly versatile. The main hall can be used for concerts as well as conferences, but we can also, for example, organise a gala dinner or dance by removing some of the seating. It all fits in with the original concept of the venue as a place that’s open for all kinds of events,” explains executive manager Minna Nyman.
The venue’s staff can naturally also assist in creating a tailor-made event programme, and the in-house restaurant Kultti Cafe is at hand to cater for events of all styles, sizes and durations, from lunches between meetings to large buffets for celebrations. The newly refurbished Helsinki Hall of Culture combines quality and quantity in an effective and flexible manner, offering a comprehensive service concept with a personal touch – and plenty of character.
For more information, please visit: www.kulttuuritalo.fi
Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Iceland
Conference of the Month, Iceland
Modern comfort, great views and plenty of space for events Easily accessible from the centre of Reykjavik and Keflavik airport, the Park Inn by Radisson Island is a great choice for both leisure and business travellers. It offers comfortable rooms, many with gorgeous views over the Laugardalur recreational area and of Esja mountain, that guarantee a good night’s sleep, as well as access to a conference and banquet hall that can accommodate up to 1,100 guests. By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Park Inn by Radisson
The Park Inn by Radisson Island, Reykjavik can be reached from the city centre in only five minutes and forms an ideal base from which to discover the rest of the country. It is also located right next to the Laugardalur recreational area, which includes the Family Park and Zoo, Botanical Garden and a large outdoor thermal pool. The hotel itself comprises 119 spacious rooms, including Standard and Superior Rooms, as well as Junior Suites. All rooms come equipped with elegant bathrooms, free high-speed, wireless Internet and satellite television. As part of Park Inn by Radisson, the hotel naturally also offers an excellent breakfast
buffet, which gets you ready for your day of sightseeing or meetings, with the Grab & Run Breakfast option also available when you need an early start. From Europe’s largest nightclub to impressive events venue Located adjacent to the hotel is Broadway, a large conference and banquet hall that was known as one of the largest restaurants and nightclubs in Europe when it opened in 1988. It has hosted a lot of famous
names from Ray Charles to Rod Stewart and continues to uphold its reputation as a top events venue. “We’ve hosted events and annual parties for a lot of large Icelandic companies, and it offers a great space for conferences. The acoustics here are perfect, as proved by all the famous musicians who have played here. Broadway is also famous for putting together impressive dinner and show evenings,” explains director of sales and marketing Valgerður Ómarsdóttir. With room for up to 1,100 people, the venue can also be divided into seven smaller meeting rooms, and the Radisson Yes I Can! service philosophy naturally also extends to event planning. “Our staff will assist with anything that’s needed, from entertainment to food, and they can answer all questions, no matter the department they work in,” adds Ómarsdóttir. For more information, please visit: www.parkinn.com/hotel-reykjavik
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Scan Business | News | Scandinavian Business Calendar
Scandinavian Business Calendar – Highlights of Scandinavian business events Thames River Cruise - Welcome aboard 'The Elizabethan' traditional paddle steamer boat Welcome to NBCC's summer highlight! It is our pleasure to welcome all our members, friends and partners together with the Norwegian-British Community in the UK to enjoy a memorable evening on the Thames. For more information on the event visit: www.nbccuk.com Venue: Thames River Cruise, Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, 'The Erasmus', SW1A 2JH London Date: 13 June
Doing Business Globally Networking event in Birmingham. Organised in cooperation with SGH Martineau, EBS, UKTI and the Nordic Chambers. We will be joined by UK Trade and Investment with Christina Liaos, Nordic and Baltic Director, and Paul Noon, Regional Director West Midlands. Venue: SGH Martineau, No 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AA Date: 13 June
Aberdeen Summer BBQ at Kippie Lodge For more information on the event visit: nbccuk.com Venue: Kippie Lodge, North Deeside Road, Milltimber, AB13 0AB Aberdeen Date: 19 June The Emergence of Renaissance Society - Identify future trends to build long-term success in business According to futurists Mika Aaltonen and Rolf Jensen, we are currently "between dreams". We have managed to achieve many of our material goals, only to face evergrowing competition in an ever-slowing economy. Here is the good news: with the rise of social media and online resources, consumers are growing more powerful and individuals are exploring more options. Smart businesses are discovering more ways to appeal to this powerful new community. Sign up at www.fbcc.co.uk Venue: Finnish Ambassador's Residence, 14 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4BE Date: 20 June
Nordic Thursday Drinks The Thursday Drinks is a perfect occasion to network with people from the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and British business communities in an informal atmosphere. Canapés and welcome drinks are generously sponsored for the "early birds" with their names on the guest list. Venue: The Rembrandt Hotel, 11 Thurloe Place, London, SW7 2RS Date: 27 June
Annual Summer Cocktail Reception H.E. The Ambassador of Denmark, Ms Anne Hedensted Steffensen, and The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Summer Cocktail Reception. Venue: Ambassador's Residence, 2 Hans Street, London, SW1X 0NJ Date: 3 July
Nordic Thursday Drinks
Annual General Meeting All Members are invited to join the SCC for the Annual General Meeting of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and the following Members Luncheon with Bo Lundgren, Senior Advisor at Prime. Sign up at www.scc.org.uk Date: 14 June
UK-based Nordic noir lovers welcome detective Van Veeteren The latest sullen Scandi crime detective to take over the small screen is Van Veeteren, also the protagonist in a series of best-selling novels by Swedish author Håkan Nesser. In May, to the joy of many Nordic noir fans, the first three Van Veeteren films were made available on DVD in the UK for the very first time. If you can’t get enough of your slightly grumpy and dysfunctional Scandinavian crime fighters, then Van Veeteren should be right up your street. Starting with the first film on the DVD box set, we witness retired detective Van Veeteren, toothpick in mouth and unable to let go of his police work, get involved in an on-going murder case, while simultaneously trying to strike a common chord with his delinquent son out on parole. The murders are gruesome, the family relationship is strained and the hero is more than a little cynical – what more can you ask from Nordic noir? The three Van Veeteren films in the box set
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include Borkmann’s Point, Münster’s Case and Moreno and the Silence. In the fictitious city of Maardam, Van Veeteren solves each complex murder case with the help of his two crime squad protégés, Münster and Moren. If you’ve finished watching Wallander, The Killing and The Bridge and are thirsty for more, then Van Veeteren is the natural next choice!
The Van Veeteren DVD box set was released on 13 May by Arrow Films’ Nordic Noir label.
THØR: T H ØR: L LÖVES ÖVES CRISPBREAD C RISP PBREAD HE H E JUST J US T D DÖESN’T ÖESN LIKE L IKE T TØ Ø SH SHØW Ø W IT. Crispbread: o Crispbread: one ne o off o over ver 6 600 00 d delicious elicious S wedish, D anish aand nd Norwegian Norwegian foods foods Swedish, Danish aavailable vailable aacross cross tthe he UK UK from from o ur o nline our online sshop hop and and in in our our London London store. store. SCANDIKITCHEN.CO.UK S CANDIKITCHEN.CO.UK GOOD G OOD F FOOD OOD W WITH ITH L LOVE OVE F FROM ROM S SCANDINAVIA CANDINAVIA
Discover Germany seeks Freelance Journalists We are currently looking for qualified journalists on a freelance basis for Discover Germany. We are looking for journalists with a German background who are also confident in English. To apply, please email your CV to Discover Germany at info@discovergermany.org.uk
Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour
IS IT JUST ME...
By Mette Lisby
Who – when uttering the phrase: “I know this! It’s right on the tip of my tongue” – then envisions a tiny janitor running around in their brain? The brain-janitor is in charge of the area commonly referred to as “the back of your mind”, thus responsible for the part of the brain that stores “memories”. So when there’s something I can’t remember that means he’s running around in there desperately searching for the right piece of information for me. He jumps on tiny ladders reaching for boxes on shelves, pulls out drawers and shoves aside other memories and information, like pin code combinations, recipes for cookies etc. Unfortunately I did not get the best janitor – maybe I was careless during the job interview. I probably should have paid more attention to his unyielding love for absolutely useless information. The janitor in my brain saves nothing that has real informative value. His reck-
lessness and poor judgement regarding what is worthy of saving leaves me capable of remembering the phone number I had when I was 16, while I have completely forgotten every single thing I learned in chemistry. When I try to recall just a teeny bit of that, my janitor hits the total blackout button. (“Sorry! I threw it out! I never thought we were going to need it.”). Ditching chemistry completely to make room for the phone numbers of everyone I knew in high school is far from the only insane bit of prioritising the janitor has made. Substantial chunks of what I learned in maths was thrown out to make room for the theme song, plots and several actual quotes from the TV series “The Thorn Birds ”. In other words, my janitor insists on gathering and keeping information that has
Summer Garden
Summer is here and England waits with bated breath to find out whether this one is going to be better than the last. At the beginning of 2012 we moved into a house with a long, narrow garden. This – for someone as horticulturally green as myself – presented a new world of exciting possibilities. There were little fruit-bearing trees, bushes of lavender and all sorts of things that I couldn’t name. And there
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were two strips of soil, perfect for a vegetable garden. So there we were, last spring, wildly splashing out on seeds that we liked the sound of, all of which we scattered with much enthusiasm and little thought all over the soil. And then the rain came. Followed by the slugs, who clung to whatever managed to peak through the waterlogged soil. I didn’t want to use slug pellets, in case I ended up killing hedgehogs and did some half-hearted research into organic repellents. Once I finished, the slugs had eaten the lot. I tried to remain positive, thinking that whatever was underneath the soil would surely be unaffected by slugs. I dug into it and unearthed two withered potatoes and a lot of cat poo. There was one final sliver of hope – the fruit that grew on the already established bushes and trees around the garden. I managed to gather a small bowl of unripe raspberries. These had a strange, watery colour. “The hedge-
relevance only if I should stumble upon a time machine, travel back to 1984 and need to call everyone I knew to give an astoundingly accurate recap of “The Thorn Birds”. And if the knowledge you have retained requires a time machine to be useful, the janitor in charge of your memories really should have kept the maths and chemistry syllabi. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.
By Maria Smedstad
hogs must have been licking at them…” my other half concluded, looking confused. After that, summer was over. This year we’re thinking of putting up some decking where the vegetable patch is, preferably covered by a large umbrella, underneath which we can smugly shelter from any rain, whilst eating fruit and vegetables that somebody else has grown.
Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.
Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Moddi
ready been asked to perform at other churches around Europe,” he says. Prior to the stopover in London, Moddi had just returned from a memorable performance in Slovakia. “I sent out a request to all my fans before realising the new album asking them to suggest interesting venues and proposed to play in someone’s home. The response was phenomenal, and I decided to go to Slovakia where we played at a fan’s house in an old mining village; it was like a ghost town, but it turned out to be just perfect.” Moddi’s upbringing was far from ordinary: he grew up without television or radio with his parents who are multiple instrumentalists. He began playing his mum’s accordion in his teens.
Warm and passionate music from the far north By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photo: Hilde Mesics
Pål Moddi Knutsen, known as Moddi, is a passionate Norwegian singer/songwriter from the island of Senja. This young man has become a respected artist in Norway and received double Norwegian Grammy nominations for his debut album Floriography in 2010. He has taken his music around the world’s festivals and toured with Angus and Julia Stone. Moddi was also one of four artists and bands who received an impressive 1,000,000 NOK grant from a-ha before their final tour in 2010. Their goal was to help young, up-and-coming artists who wished to pursue an international career in music.
The British audience first experienced this one-of-a-kind self-taught musician at the End of The Road Festival in 2010. I caught up with Moddi on a rainy April day in King's Cross St. Pancras, a day after an intimate show at the St Pancras Old Church, which turned out to be a perfect venue for his fragile and stirring atmospheric sound. The gig is part of the promotional tour for his second album, Set the House on Fire, which was released in March 2013 with the Norwegian label Propeller Recordings. “It was a great venue; people naturally respect the church environment. We’ve al-
“I have always had great artistic freedom and very encouraging parents,” Moddi says. “The song writing procedure is unpredictable. It kind of happens suddenly, anywhere, but it can also be time consuming and daunting like for One Minute More, which was a love story that had to be dealt with but was difficult. I mostly need peace, calm and darkness to be able to create.” His extraordinary sound has been described as folk or chamber pop, but at its heart there is a 25-year-old with a borrowed accordion and a worn-out guitar who is writing music with a mission. The lyrics are deeply poetic, with political and environmental messages, and full of love and passion. “Music is a huge part of my life, but I’m also studying and currently undertaking a degree in sociology. I’ve got a lot left to do, and I use music as a tool to ventilate difficult subjects, so you could say the two things belong together.”
For more information, please visit: www.moddi.no
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 99
With recent shows in the UK at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival and a couple of lower-key dates in London and Bristol, what are their impressions of the UK music scene? “It’s a really difficult market – a huge market,” says Christian. “If you make it over there then you really make it. But we’ve played good shows over there, and we’re looking forward to the reviews [of Dead Ends].” Displaying typical Danish modesty at their potential to strike gold in the UK, Jesper chips in with, “London’s always nice to go back to.”
The Rumour’s Set to Spread Like Wildfire When Danish foursome The Rumour Said Fire released their maiden studio recording back in 2009, few could have argued that the band’s deftness in songwriting and ear for a pop hook weren’t lights lining the road to future success. Now, supported by new album Dead Ends and a clique of adoring fans, Copenhagen’s favourite indie sons are back on record and on the road. In short, this particular rumour has now been confirmed. By Simon Cooper | Photos: therumoursaidfire.com
An overcast afternoon in the Copenhagen suburb of Greve can do little to quell the spirits of Jesper Lidang and Christian Rindorf – singer/songwriter and drummer/percussionist respectively – despite the previous night’s return trip from the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. “The tour’s been busy, but on the whole very good. Big numbers showed up at each concert,” reflects Christian. “There’s also a lot of variety; we have a lot of different kinds of fans – 15-year-olds and 50-year-olds.” And how did their following respond to the material off Dead Ends? “We didn’t know what to expect because we changed the sound, and we were excited to see all the reactions,” replies Jesper. “People seem to dig it [the new CD]. We haven’t
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had any negative criticisms from fans, and we haven’t got the [he shouts] ‘Judas!’” This last comment is a reference to the shake-up in style from a more folksy sound on debut The Arrogant to a more expansive yet also accessible 80s sound on Dead Ends. “We’ve been listening to a lot of 80s material, anything from the Cure to the Cocteau Twins and Echo and the Bunnymen. With the lyrics, well that’s basically me reading a lot of literature, like dark romanticism. I just felt inspired.” The pair move on to talk about playing the older material live this time around. “I guess you put more into it, to combine things. The Arrogant is closer to Dead Ends than the EP is in certain ways. Evil Son [one of their standout songs] from the EP has evolved as we’ve toured, for example.”
For more information, please visit: therumoursaidfire.com
Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandinavian Music
Scandinavian Music
Majestee of Sweden is a brand new music collective, made up of a production duo, a band, dancers, and a singer. Governor is their first single, and as debut singles go it's pretty exciting to think what else is going to come from them. It sounds like something that the likes of Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato would be clamouring to have as the lead single from their latest
albums over in the US. And with a little bit of Rihanna's Umbrella thrown into the mix. Governor is a fierce girl-anthem backed by a full-on production and delivered with attitude-laden swagger. Listen to this and attempt to not be all “when I’m runnin this town-oh-whoa-oh-oh” and “I’m running for governor, governor, eh eh“, afterwards. It’s not an easy task. Navet are a new female-fronted Swedish electro-pop act, with One Hundred Years, Ten Thousand Beats as their debut foray into pop music. It’s an 80sflavoured amalgamation of lots of intricate and amazing synths, riffs, beeps and stabs. Which translates into a pretty good song while it’s at it. It would have made a really great first-album-era Girls Aloud track. Best bits: those guitar riffs that appear in each of the verses. Finland isn’t renowned for producing boy bands, but the Finns have just pulled a blinder with new boy band Satin Circus. The boys sound a lot like One Direction, except they’re different in that they play all their own instruments and write all their
By Karl Batterbee
own songs. And debut single EMMA is proving to be a massive hit in Finland, and deservedly so. It's a super-catchy pop/rock number that sounds like one of 1D’s better songs and could be strong enough to give them a good shot internationally too. Finally, let's have a bit of gay. The Stockholm Pride festival has just revealed its 2013 theme. It’s New Colours by Janet Leon. A heart-on-its-sleeve dance-pop track, painted with several bright shades of rainbow and seasoned with just the right amount of camp. It’s instantly likeable, and a torch song for that specific kind of pop music that only really Sweden knows how to do so well. Janet Leon rises to the oGAYssion brilliantly with her vocal delivery – and so Stockholm Pride 2013 is served up with its anthem. And if you allow yourself to enjoy it, it can be your anthem too. www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!
Keep Your Timber Limber feat. Tom of Finland (19 June-9 Sept) This exhibition explores how artists since the 1940s to the present day have used drawing to address ideas critical and current to their time, ranging from the politics of gender and sexuality to feminist issues, war, censorship and race. The works of eight artists will be featured in-
cluding Tom of Finland’s erotic drawings from the 1950s and 60s. Tue-Sun 11am-11pm. ICA, London, SW1Y. www.ica.org.uk Roskilde Festival in Denmark (29 June-7 July) This year’s Roskilde Festival line-up is as usual packed with great acts: Kraftwerk, the National, Rihanna, Queens of the Stone Age, Slipknot, and many more. roskilde-festival.dk Ruisrock in Finland (5-7 July) Founded in the 1970s, Turku’s Ruisrock is still going strong. This year’s acts include: Band of Horses, Icona Pop, Pet Shop
Håkan Hellström. Photo: John Scarisbrick
Helena Franzén on EDge (Until 12 July) As one of two artists, Swedish Helena Franzén has been invited to create choreography for the 2013 EDge tour. EDge is the postgraduate performance company of London Contemporary Dance School. www.theplace.org.uk
By Sara Schedin
Issue 53 | June 2013 | 101
Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar
coming Scandinavian talents. copenhagenoperafestival.com The Øya Festival (6-10 Aug) Set on historic grounds where Oslo was founded a thousand years ago, the Øya Festival features a wide variety of music acts including Blur, the Knife, Cat Power, Kraftwerk, Grimes and Rodrigues. oyafestivalen.com
Nordic Comedy (10 July) Danish comic Sofie Hagen hosts and curates this stand-up gig, featuring British and Scandinavian comedians: Nick Helm, Daniel Simonsen, Adam Hess and Richard Todd. The Nordic Bar, London, W1T. www.nordicbar.com Pori Jazz in Finland (13-21 July) For jazz lovers, Pori Jazz is a must this summer. This will be its 48th year running, and the line-up features artists such as Bobby Womack, John Legend, Artturi Rönkä Quartet, Bonnie Raitt, and Earth Wind & Fire. www.porijazz.fi Slottsfjell in Norway (18-20 July) An idyllic festival set by the fjords in Tønsberg featuring artists such as Seasick Steve, the Tallest Man on Earth, Anna von Hausswolff, Karpe Diem, Jonas Alaska, to mention a few. www.slottsfjell.no Copenhagen Opera Festival (28 July-4 Aug) This festival takes the opera out of the traditional theatre and onto the streets of Copenhagen. It will feature a great mix of international opera stars and up-and-
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Karpe Diem. Photo: Martin Johansen
Boys, the Sounds, Håkan Hellström, to mention a few. www.ruisrock.fi
Jonas Alaska. Photo: André Bjergrem
Icona Pop. Press Photo
Way Out West in Gothenburg (9-11 Aug) As usual, this Swedish festival has a killer line-up with artists such as Neil Young, the Knife, Cat Power, Beach House, Bat for Lashes, Goat, and many more. www.wayoutwest.se
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