Women have made major contributions to the unparalleled style and innovation that define design from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. More than 200 of the very best designs that these countries have to offer, from furniture, textiles, and utensils to clothing, jewelry, and architecture will be showcased at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NWMA) April 23 through September 12, 2004.

“A strong tradition of gender equality in the Nordic countries has given women access to educational opportunities, apprenticeships, and directorial positions in design industries,” commented NMWA Director Judy L. Larson, who conceived of the exhibition and is its co-curator. “This exhibition encourages the understanding of design within the context of culture and gender, presenting works of great beauty in a sociological setting.”

The five Nordic countries share global latitude, and much of the design is a response to the landscapes and social activities. The colors and features of the terrain, along with long summer days and cold, dark winter nights, often inform designers’ creativity. But each country possesses a distinct history and tradition that shape its design concepts and influences regional styles.

Highlights of the exhibition include textiles from Finnish designer Maija Isola, who helped establish Marimekko’s signature bright colors and patterns; furniture and jewelry by Nanna Ditzel, the pre-eminent woman designer of Danish Modern Furniture; and the interactive websites of Pia Myrvold of Norway that allow visitors to design made-to-order clothing.

Lectures by leading artists such as Ditzel and Icelandic fashion designer Steinunn and a film series highlighting women directors from all five Nordic countries are just some of the programs that will be offered to the public during the exhibition. Cool Play, a free family festival on May 2, will feature music, dancing, storytelling in both Swedish and English, and crafts projects such as Danish paper cutting, weaving, and decorative painting.

Admission to the museum during the exhibition will be $8 for adults, $6 for students and visitors 60 and over, and free for NMWA members and youth 18 and under. Free Community Days are the first Sunday and Wednesday of each month. The museum’s hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. It is located at 1250 New York Ave., NW, two blocks north of Metro Center in downtown Washington, DC.

The exhibition has been generously sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Institute of Museum and Library Services by an Act of Congress, Volvo Cars of North America, and IKEA, with ongoing support and commitment from the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of Finland, the Embassy of Iceland, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and the Embassy of Sweden. NMWA is also grateful for additional support from FedEx; Apartment Zero; Husqvarna Viking; 3Citron Caterers;
NPS Pharmaceuticals; the Leo Rosner Foundation; Ambassador and Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson, Jr.; Iceland Naturally; the Radisson Barceló Hotel Washington; Springfield Sound; Voss Artesian Water from Norway; Bernstein Consortium Management; the Heimbold Foundation; Gladys and James Lisanby; SWEA Washington, DC; Oddi Printing; Arla Foods; Blondell’s Accent on Events; Icelandair; Kelsen; and Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr.

Press Release