The Danish presidency provides an opportunity to showcase the best in Danish design and modern Danish art.
The thinking behind the exhibition is to show Denmark as an innovative, dynamic, creative and green nation. The artwork on display includes paintings and photographs with natural and abstract motifs and a video installation.
Danish furniture design are exhibited in Brussels
Successive presentations of contemporary Danish crafts will complement the presidency’s ‘permanent’ exhibitions of Danish furniture design. The exhibited furniture includes classics such as Arne Jacobsen's 'Egg' and 'Swan' as well as Finn Juhl’s ‘Pelican’ but also more modern 'Prince' and 'Sting Ray' chairs, designed by Louise Campbell and Thomas Pedersen respectively are presented.
Soft lighting – a prominent feature of Danish interior design – is used as an active element of the exhibition to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Many Danish companies have supported the exhibition by making furniture / rugs / lighting available. The list includes Fredericia Furniture, Erik Jørgensen, The Republic of Fritz Hansen, HAY, GUBI, Onecollection, Lightyears, Louis Poulsen Lighting and Ege Carpets.
Young artists at the exhibition
The artists represented in the exhibition are from the youngest generations of Danish artists.
The visual art is represented by colorful, nonfigurative painting by Lars Nørgaard as well as paintings by Søren Martinsen and photographs by Thomas Bangsted depicting various land- and seascapes reflecting and contemplating on the relationships between man and nature.
In an art video Pernille With Madsen plays with illusion and reality.
Ceramic art in the Council Building
Through the assistance of Annette Sloth, the Danish owner of the gallery Puls Contemporary Ceramics in Brussels, several ceramic artists and craft people have contributed with objects of art to the exhibition. Among the names are Karen Bennicke, Steen Ipsen, Martin B. Kaldahl, Louise Hindsgavl, Morten L. Espersen and Bodil Manz.
The internationally well-known architect Dorte Mandrup is the curator of the exhibition of Danish design at ground floor apart from the exhibited works of craft which has been curated by Annette Sloth.
The Danish company Ambiente in close cooperation with the Danish EU-Representation in Brussels has been responsible for the assembly and installation works related to the exhibition.
The decoration of the Council building is a result of collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Danish Arts Foundation and Danish Crafts.