House of Fritz Hansen honours Scandinavian master designer Poul Kjaerholm

House of Fritz Hansen honours Scandinavian master designer Poul Kjaerholm

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
House of Fritz Hansen honours Scandinavian master designer Poul Kjaerholm
House of Fritz Hansen photo:

For the first time in Thailand, Norse Republics is showcasing PK Collection, a series of contemporary furniture masterpieces by the late Poul Kjaerholm, one of Denmark's most celebrated designers.

Under the theme "House of Fritz Hansen Presents Design Classic By Poul Kjaerholm", the Nordic furniture store on Bangkok's Soi Somkid is transformed into a design exhibition, exclusively featuring Kjaerholm's iconic handiwork including the legendary PK31 sofa, the PK22 lounge chair, the three-legged PK8 dining chair and the PK9 Tulip Chair.

Poul Kjaerholm (1929-1980) graduated from the prestigious Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen at the age of 20. Throughout the mid-1950s, he developed his distinctive style of opting for steel instead of wood, which is the usually favoured component of Scandinavian furniture, as his primary material and combining it with leather, cane and marble.

The transformative PK25 chair, known as the Element Chair, was among his first pieces of furniture to gain immense popularity and praise. It was constructed using only a single piece of steel that's moulded into a chair and has braided rope wrapped around the frame for a tight backrest. His furniture would thus feel delicate and simple yet look sleek and striking just like a piece of sculpture.

The PK31 sofa, one of the Bangkok exhibits, is considered to be a respected piece in furniture history that can usually only be seen in museums catering to design devotees. Less than 10 sets are said to be produced each year.

Another highlight, the iconic PK22 chair, exemplifies Kjaerholm's vision and quest for the ideal form and dimension through a subtle silhouette. The chair was awarded the Grand Prix at the 1975 Milan Triennale, the world's premier design fair. The prize catapulted Kjaerholm's career and he immediately became a name on the international scene.

The PK8, which was originally designed in 1978, had up until 2007 existed only as a prototype in the home of his wife, Hanne Kjaerholm. Today it is widely recognised as a striking execution of Scandinavian craftsmanship.

The exhibition is held at House of Fritz Hansen, 10am-7pm (Tuesday-Sunday) until Oct 31. For more information, call 02-015-4164

 

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