An Icon November 12 2012
ARNE JACOBSEN 1902 - 1971
Arne Jacobsen is the man behind so many iconic designs that we today pass by, use and enjoy in everyday life. Designs that still look modern & timeless even though they were originally conceived some 60 years ago. When looking at examples of his work, they seem like the pinnacle of well thought out, modern design as we know it today, yet this is a man who rarely knew what he wanted ahead of time. It was this sort of intuitive design, (coupled with incredible talent for design, form and proportion), that ironically meant Jacobsen was often perceived as an insecure designer.
One of the most interesting designers of the modern era (read more about him here), only images can do what he did justice...
The Series 7™ Chair - 1955
The Series 7™ is by far the most sold chair in the history of Jacobsen's collaboration with Fritz Hansen. You will all recognise this chair as one you have seen as a replica in shops such as Nood or Freedom or sat in at a cafe or conference room. The pressure moulded veneer chair is a further development of the classic Ant™ chair. The four-legged stackable chair can be seen as the culmination of the use of the lamination technique.
Egg™ Chair & Stool - 1958
The Egg™ was designed for the lobby and reception areas of the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen - a hotel which Jacobsen was also commissioned to design every element of the building, as well as the furniture. This was a huge opportunity for Jacobsen to put his theories of design and architecture into practice and the Egg was one of the resulting master pieces.
The Ant™ Chair - 1950
The Ant™ is one of the icons of Jacobsen's designs - an icon that nearly wasn't. It was designed originally for the canteen at Novo Nordisk however almost ended up as another prototype as Jacobsen's collaborator Fitz Hansen was not convinced of the chair's potential!
Dot™ stools - 1950
Through the development of the Ant™, came the Dot™. Arne Jacobsen fell in love with the Dot... But then, who wouldn't!
The Swan™ - 1958
The Swan™ was also deigned for the Royal Hotel. The Swan was considered a technologically innovative chair as it had no straight lines, only curves. Beautiful. (My favourite).
SOOOO many more amazing images of his work right here.
Arne Jacobsen, you were a genius of modern design.
