25-11-2008 SuperDanish: unique showcase for Danish design in Canada

World-renowned, Canadian-born Frank Gehry is the man in charge of renovating the museum and, for the interior furnishings, he selected furniture, porcelain, glass and cutlery, lighting, carpeting and flooring from a total of fifteen Danish suppliers. Thus, both renowned and new designer names are represented at the museum.

The interior design project, named “SuperDanish”, came about in collaboration with Arne Nordtorp, Denmark’s consulate general in Toronto, and Peter Mørk, from the Danish trade office in the same city. They have been in contact with Frank Gehry for a few years and aroused his interest in Danish design solutions to such an extent that they were decisive when he was deciding how to furnish the museum. A number of Danish and Canadian foundations and sponsors have helped to realise the project.

The fifteen Danish companies whose products are now on display at the museum are Fritz Hansen, Egetæpper, Fredericia Furniture, Louis Poulsen, Holmegaard, Engelbrechts, Georg Jensen, Askman Furniture, Rikke Jakobsen, Carl Hansen & Søn, Erik Jørgensen, Eva Denmark, Onecollection, Junckers and BabyDan.

Interest in Danish design week

“Concurrent with the opening of the museum, we have collaborated with leading design dealers in Toronto on organising a Danish design week in the city and have secured broad media coverage from television, newspapers, and trend-setting Canadian design periodicals,” says Peter Mørk. “European design is currently the object of great interest in Canada, which opens up great possibilities for not least Danish companies. This is exemplified by a giant renewal project along the entire waterfront area here in Toronto that will spin off many interior design assignments.” Peter Mørk expects the Toronto activities to be followed up later on by Danish design campaigns elsewhere in Canada.

The north façade of the newly renowned Art Gallery of Ontario, in Toronto, Canada.