Century of the Child, Designmuseum Denmark 17/1 – 30/8 2015
Kay Bojesen Nummervogn, 1930’s, photo Pernille Klemp
From junk playgrounds and Odder’s perambulators to Winther’s tricycles and Lego blocks. As well as reflecting the prevailing attitudes towards children of the time, design for children reflects the phenomenon of childhood itself. From January 2015, you can step into a children’s universe when Designmuseum Danmark’s new exhibition ‘Century of the Child’ gives you the chance to explore 20th century Nordic art, architecture and design for children. The exhibition covers all aspects of child-centred design from posters, toys, and children’s books to furniture, school design and playgrounds – w ith a particular focus on Danish design.
The exhibition takes its name from the Swedish author Ellen Key’s book of the same title from the year 1900. Key’s philosophy of promoting children’s development, creativity and rights serves as a thematic common thread throughout the exhibition, which shows the paradigm shift that took place at the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition is also inspired by the 2012 ‘Century of the Child: Growing by Design 1900-2000’ exhibition, which was held at MoMa in New York, but has a specific emphasis on Nordic child-centred design.
BabyBjörn Babysitter, 1961, photo Babybjörn
Century of the Child – Nordic design for children from 1900 to today
Designmuseum Danmark
17 January – 30 August 2015
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