An exhibition exploring Danish furniture design by Hans J. Wegner.
Presented by Churchill College and curated by Fellow and College curator, Barry Phipps, the exhibition formed part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of The Møller Institute, Cambridge.
Churchill College has a close and continuing relationship to the work of Hans Wegner, from its foundation in 1961; many pieces of Wegner’s works have been loaned from The Møller Institute – a Danish designed management training and conference centre at Churchill College. The exhibition is one of several celebrations that mark the 20th anniversary of The Møller Institute.
On display will be some of the most iconic pieces of twentieth century furniture, such as The Round Chair (1949), made famous by the 1960 John F. Kennedy and Nixon debate, and the ever-popular ‘Y’ or ‘Wishbone’ Chair (1949). In addition to these iconic pieces, this exhibition will also showcase more rare Wegner designs for chairs, sofas, tables and lighting.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the unique ‘Møller’ Chair. As the name implies, Wegner designed the chair especially for The Møller Institute, on request by Mr Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller, The Møller Institute’s founder and son of the well-known shipping magnate, A. P. Møller. The ‘Møller’ chair is a spacious and comfortable chair, which appears both light and airy with its spindle back and woven seat.
Although he was earnest in his ambitions, Wegner allowed himself the space to play a little as well. ‘We must take care,’ he once said, ‘that everything doesn’t get so dreadfully serious. We must play – but we must play seriously.’
Hans J. Wegner has received numerous national and international honours throughout his long career, and his work is to be found in the permanent collections of the world’s most prestigious museums.
Press Release
Supported by Cryptomathic, The Embassy of Denmark, London and The Møller Institute for Continuing Education Limited, and in conjunction with Carl Hansen & Son, Getama, Kvadrat and PP Møbler.
