Norwegian design in London

This year’s “100 % Norway” is an anniversary exhibition, celebrating 10 years at the world-renowned London festival with a dynamic combination of new and established designers. Ten up-and-coming talents and 10 of Norway’s leading designers are exhibiting their work side by side.

Queen Sonja was given a tour of the exhibition by curators Benedicte Sunde of the Norwegian Design Council and Henrietta Thompson, who introduced her to six of the Norwegian designers who are displaying their works. 

Springboard

The festival attracts trendsetting media figures, manufacturers and buyers from around the globe, and provides an important springboard for Norwegian design internationally. A total of 148 Norwegian designers and companies have participated in the exhibition in the 10 years since it was launched.  

Light and nature

Light and nature – the most exotic aspects of Norway for many around the world – are the overarching themes of this year’s exhibition. The Nordic light has been given a symbolic representation in the form of the “SUN” sculpture, an installation three metres in diameter created by artists Christine Istad and Elizabeth Pacini.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London and the Norwegian Design Council.

KHiB with Friends

The Bergen Academy of Art and Design is also represented in London, and Queen Sonja visited its exhibition “KHiB with Friends” today as well. About 50 projects – some in production and some recently developed prototypes – are presented at the exhibition.

The exhibition features furniture, interior furnishings, lamps, clothing, textiles and graphic design, and Queen Sonja was accompanied on her tour by Professor Dave Vikøren. The Queen also had the opportunity to meet several of the designers currently displaying their works.