Days of Special Interest

How did Denmark, a small nation of only 5.8 million (2018), a faltering state in post-Napoleonic Europe, create and maintain such an influence in the world of art and design?
Session one: some pre- and more recent history
In the 19th century, despite a string of state disasters, Denmark enjoyed a middle-class Guldalder – a Golden Age – nurtured by an affirmation of nationhood with a deep Nordic historical revivalism, philosophy and an interest in natural science and the liberal arts and the emergence of a design ethos.
Session two: gold to stainless steel
We summarise the artistic highlights of 19th century Denmark and her ‘Golden Age’. A closer look at extraordinary artists – such as Thorvaldsen, Eckersberg, Købke and Hammershøi. Coming up to date with Scandi-noir, what do we see in the modern psyche of Denmark?
Session three: from ‘Lures’ to Lurpak:
Lars offers his personal ‘smørrebrød’ selection of Danish themes: Andersen, Kierkegaard, Bohr. Bring your own examples of Danish/Scandinavian artefacts.