Scandinavian Folk Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive)

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In the late Middle Ages the Viking power was gradually extinguishing. Thus, Scandinavia no longer was the land of warriors. Instead, it became the land of farmers. More peaceful, nature-related motifs overtook the folk art. Works of artisans were full of flower, bird and human motifs. These often referred to Scandinavian tales, legends and fables. Such patterns also appear on Swedish flat-weave rugs or shaggy Ryas. Their simplicity doesn’t make them less heartwarming. On the contrary – it gives them timeless beauty. This instantly recognizable folk art is so elegant and alluring that its popularity is raising rather than fading. Vintage Scandinavian rugs are the apple of the eye of design aficionados and beauty-seekers around the world. These works of art perfectly match contemporary interiors. With technology changing fast and getting more and more complex, it is as important as ever to know your tools and their possibilities. Businesses depend on having an online presence that is well thought out and that gives the visitor a good experience. Interaction with products and services has become a focal point of both offline and online user experiences. The National Museum is currently closed while its new venue is under construction at Vestbanen (Oslo West Station), and is due to reopen in 2022. However, you can browse all the art in its collection online. For a long time, art has been heavily influenced by the social and political landscape. Searching through history, we find that while the social views of a certain period may no longer be relevant, the art and design of that time often are. Designers today constantly draw inspiration from history, consciously and unconsciously. Being aware of that history and knowing what has come before in your field can help you better convey the meaning in your work and forge deeper connections to your environment (artistic, social, political, etc.). Paper Cutting: Paper cutting, known as aleklippa in Swedish, involves intricately cutting patterns and designs into paper or thin materials. These delicate cuttings are often used for decorative purposes, such as window ornaments or framed artwork.

Some of the best museums in Scandinavia to see traditional folk pieces include: The Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo / mksfca (CC) Jugentilsenteret (the Art Nouveau Centre) is a museum that focuses on the “ art nouveau” style, which is the architectural style that the town was rebuilt in after it was destroyed by a fire in 1904. Ålesund, Norway

History of Swedish Scandinavian Folk Art Traditions and Common Motifs

With Dadaism, abstract art started to find its footing, as well as performance art and what later evolved into Pop Art. Similar to Cubists, Dadaists made use of collage, assemblage and existing products to create new pieces. Against war, against the bourgeoisie and resembling an anarchist movement, Dadaists were active around the world, holding public demonstrations and publishing journals. Dadaism gradually mixed with surrealism and other cultural and artistic movements. Dynamism of a Soccer Player, Umberto Boccioni, 1913. Folk art from Scandinavia also draws heavily from fables and allegories. As an example, the vintage carpet above, on the left, shows the story of Nils Holgersson, a folk tale about a badly behaved boy who is cursed by a Tomte, or Swedish elf, and is shrunken to only inches tall.

The Viking culture had a Pagan belief system, which was dominantly the Scandinavian belief system. However, the Vikings would have encountered Christianity during their raids of various monasteries along the coasts of England. The Viking culture eventually adopted the Christian belief system. The Scandinavian belief system is known for its Norse Mythology with gods like Odin and Thor. These are also mythological characters alive today through pop culture and modern Viking concept art. Bauhaus was a school in Germany that was famous for combining fine arts, crafts and technology; industrial and product design were highly regarded. The “Foundation Year” of many of today’s art and design schools has its origins here. It’s also where the field of modern furniture design started to take shape. One of Denmark’s most famous designers, Verner Panton, is known for his bold and abstract work in the ’60s, with a focus on new materials. Panton’s creations stood apart from those of his contemporaries, and his focus was more on what we today associate with Pop Art. Strong, dramatic colors and futuristic shapes dominated his work. His designs, along with those of Finnish designer Eero Aarnio and Finnish-American Eero Saarinen, have been used in a number of film productions and countless photo shoots to create a futuristic look. Left: Globe Chair, Eero Aarnio, 1963–65. As mentioned, the Swedish Society of Industrial Design was established in 1845 to uphold and raise the high standards in various crafts-related professions. The fact that industrialization took place in Scandinavia later than in neighboring countries helped to preserve the handicraft tradition there. The Viking Age certainly left its mark on the Modern Age, the idealistic portrayal of a seemingly barbaric race of men and women has become a pop-cultural trend. From film, live re-enactments, and replicas of various aspects of the Viking culture like weapons, artifacts, and coins. Furthermore, Viking concept art has become a trend among many fans, we see many Viking designs on jewelry including the online space in computer games and graphic design.The tales in the Kalevala have been an important source of inspiration for Finnish folk art for centuries.