The exhibition Talking to Åke is a conversation via furniture and pictures between Åke Axelsson and a younger generation of designers, furniture-makers and interior designers. His furniture and interiors interact with work by Folkform, Färg & Blanche, Emma Olbers, David Ericsson and Halleroed. It relates to inspiration, creativity and the transmission of knowledge.
Åke’s work as an interior architect and furniture designer spans eight decades: 1957 – 2022. Today, Åke’s public interiors and furniture offer a rich source of inspiration for young designers. Halleroed has highlighted several Åke interiors and lesser known, older chairs in dialogue with the contemporary. David Ericsson has designed and built a chair in homage to the spirit of Åke. Färg & Blanche shares Åke’s kinship with craftsmanship; development and ideas are born by handling the materials. The design duo has made a new chair, especially for the exhibition.
Åke’s curiosity is still one of his driving forces, even as he approaches 90 years of age. For this exhibition, he has collaborated in the workshop with both Emma Olbers and Folkform. Sustainability is a core element. Making furniture poses important questions. How should we make something that is really necessary and stands the test of time? In the 70s, Åke created the resource-efficient furniture collection Ararat for the legendary exhibition Ararat at Moderna Museet, 1976, which envisioned a society in harmony with the environment. Several years ago, he included improved versions of Ararat furniture in his workshop production. The Nomad collection is a continuation of this quest for timeless functionality and simplicity. Åke’s furniture in the exhibition comes from his entire career. Some are unique pieces, including his own kitchen-sofa, others are designed for furniture production at Gärsnäs.
Åke is no newcomer to Sven-Harry’s. For the inauguration of the newly built museum 2006–08, he designed the lobby, shop, media room and wardrobes. The top floor of Sven-Harry’s museum was decorated with bookshelves, a unique black sofa and Jubileum chairs, a variant of the chairs in the King’s jubilee room.
Talking to Åke is initiated and produced by Sven-Harry’s Art Museum in collaboration with Stockholm Design Week. Hanna Nova Beatrice is the content producer.
Talking to Åke,
Sven-Harry’s Art Museum,
Eastmansvägen 10-12
113 61 Stockholm
5 February – 27 March 2022