In its 10th edition, 3 Days of Design 2023 transformed Copenhagen into a vibrant showcase for both Scandinavian and international design. From June 7-9, the city-wide programme came alive, exhibiting a range of innovative designs, reinterpreted furniture classics, as well as exciting new launches and exhibitions. The event was not just a festival, but a unifying experience that truly encapsulated this year’s theme, Where would we be without you. It was a testament to the power of a shared vision, a collaborative spirit and a dedication that spoke volumes about the city’s design ethos. 3 Days of Design once again positioned Copenhagen as a significant hub on the global design stage, delivering an experience that ventured beyond mere aesthetics to touch upon communal inspiration and unity. Here, we’ve taken the opportunity to select our favourite exhibitions and events from this year’s memorable lineup.

Tableau

In a display of eclectic creative collaborations, Copenhagen-based multidisciplinary studio and gallery Tableau presented two significant exhibitions. The first, in conjunction with Gernes Fonden, unveiled the relaunch of Light Flower, a lamp originally designed by esteemed artist Poul Gernes. The lamp represented an elegant fusion of industrial materials and organic shapes. The second exhibition, set within Tableau’s own space, showcased a collective of design aesthetics from various creators. Prominent among the display was Vaarnii, the Finnish brand acclaimed for its durable pine furniture that contradicts the transient nature of mass-produced items. Alongside Vaarnii’s pieces were handcrafted porcelain plates and sculptures from Ukrainian brand Gunia, amid other art pieces from talented designers associated with the gallery.

PHOTOGRAPHY                    Michael Rygaard

House of Craft

In House of Craft, Carl Hansen & Søn showcased their devotion to well-crafted design. The exhibition featured the revisited PK1 chair, originally by Poul Kjærholm, now adapted for today's lifestyle with its upscaled frame and paper cord seat. They also reintroduced two wooden coffee tables from the 1930s by Kaare Klint, proving the timeless appeal of classic design. Rounding off the display was the debut of Alfred Homann’s outdoor collection – seven pieces of functional yet thoughtful furniture, embodying Danish simplicity. The event successfully blurred the lines between the past and the present, underlining the enduring relevance of thoughtful craftsmanship.

NoDe

The House of Nordic Design showcased the eclectic exhibition NoDe, featuring new and emerging Danish designers and artists including Kibun, St. Leo and Sia Hurtigkarl. The exhibition was held in the evolving Refshaleøen area on a 300 square metre pram, a nod to the location’s historic Burmeister & Wain shipyard heritage. The nature-inspired works presented a thoughtful exploration of sustainability and permaculture, while the incorporation of vibrant colour added a fresh touch to the Danish designs. NoDe was a highlight at the event, underlining the House of Nordic Design’s commitment to fostering new design talent.

Kvadrat

Unveiled in Kvadrat’s Nordhavn showroom, Multiply, a new curtain collection designed by Isa Glink, left a deep impression with its nuanced play between yarn, craft and perception. Particularly impressive was the innovative work of acclaimed designer Inga Sempé, who integrated her Sketches curtain series into the collection. Sempé utilised an iPad to delve deep into the fabric’s structure, translating two-dimensional concepts into tangible, three-dimensional textiles. The collection frames a space, complementing rather than overwhelming it, demonstrating the refined equilibrium between simplicity and complexity in design.

Stilleben 2

The remarkable Stilleben 2 exhibition took place in a restored ship warehouse, where Cypriot-born, London-based designer Michael Anastassiades, in collaboration with Anker & Co. and Dansk Møbelkunst, unveiled a fresh collection of lighting. Showcased amid rare, historic pieces from the Danish design gallery, Anastassiades’ work established an engaging dialogue with modernist Danish furniture that has long kindled his creative process. This event marked the second part of an installation series that began in Dansk Møbelkunst’s Paris showroom the previous fall, underscoring Anastassiades’s enduring commitment to appreciating and learning from design history and references.

Karimoku

This year, Japanese brand Karimoku returned to Copenhagen, presenting its bespoke wooden furniture collections within the walls of the New Mags bookstore. Transformed into a residential interior under the creative direction of Norm Architects, the space was segmented into zones for relaxation and exploration, offering visitors a multi-sensory experience. The installation featured furniture pieces designed by Norm Architects, Keiji Ashizawa Design and Foster + Partners, and was interspersed with objects and artwork from Bonnibonne, August Sandgren and Caché, along with a specially developed scent by @Aroma and paper lamps by Kojima Shouten. The exhibition was a poignant celebration of Karimoku’s craftsmanship, where the eloquence of the written word intermingled with the hushed whispers of wood, reflecting the warmth and intimacy of home.

PHOTOGRAPHY                    Sandie Lykke Nolsøe

Expressions of Character

Unveiling art and design’s inseparable bond, Fritz Hansen’s exhibition Expressions of Character in the historic Charlottenborg building in Copenhagen offers an immersive journey through iconic designs. The architectural installations, showcasing a blend of works by timeless visionaries such as Poul Kjærholm and Arne Jacobsen, and contemporary talents like Jaime Hayon and Sebastian Herkner, reveal the fundamentals of design – shapes, colours, light and materiality – in unique ways. The outdoor lounge area in Charlottenborg’s courtyard, elegantly decked with the Skagerak collection under an umbrella-lit sky, adds a touch of tranquillity in the scorching Copenhagen heat. This visit resonated with us, emphasising the fluidity of creative expression and the interconnectedness of art and design.