Design and Society in Denmark

Transcription

1 Faculty: Course Assistant: Kasper Lægring, MAA, PhD Fellow Lenna Johnsen Meeting Location: V Major Disciplines: Related Disciplines: Architecture, Design, Urban Design Sustainability, Urban Studies, Visual Arts Glasshouse, Christiania, Copenhagen Course Description Central to any cultural exchange experience such as study abroad is attaining deeper awareness and understanding of the local and national cultures at hand. With first-hand, immediate experiences, one gains richer opportunities for recognizing and reflecting upon the aspects of places (and peoples) that may be particular, peculiar, and/or foreign; and each one of these is a seed for deep insight. Moreover, in the initial states of newness that often exist simultaneously with new cultural experiences, one quickly begins to reflect upon the differences and similarities that exist between host nation and home nation. And in such situations, as the existing conditions are probed and revealed, one s horizons of understanding have the potential to expand exponentially. In short: curiosity, awareness and life-long learning go hand-inhand and especially so when studying abroad. Within the so-called melting pot of the United States, Danish culture is most often understood as a central component of the wider Scandinavian heritage. Yet, at the same time, Denmark and the Danes are also often perceived as being poles apart from North American society; for example, as a nation with extremely high taxes, small homes, fewer and smaller cars, and not in the least, with numerous benefits provided via the Welfare State. Numerous other polar perceptions may abound. From some perspectives, Denmark is seen as a homogeneous and conservative society, with strongly-held values and beliefs. Whilst at the same time, others view Denmark purely through the lens of the nation s pride in being home to the free state of Christiania and other such non-traditional cultural institutions. In terms of design in particular, Denmark is also recognized internationally as being innovative, sustainable, unique, and of exemplary craftsmanship. This is due not in the least to such factors as: the export fairy tale of early modern Danish design in the 1950s-60s (the so-called Golden Age of Danish furniture design); the existence of national and municipal design policies; the requirements for design education in public schools (spanning from primary school to university); the establishment of a (controversial) national cultural canon ; etc. Each of these attributes and numerous others are amongst the many key aspects that help foster this small nation s exceptional and worldrenowned architecture and design traditions. Windmills, Middelgrunden, Copenhagen Broadly speaking, this course on Design + Society in Denmark will explore the culture(s) of design, and the design(s) of culture. More specifically it will focus foremost on precedents sited within the capitol city of Copenhagen, where the course will physically have its base camp. Through the primary tools of a personal reflection paper, keeping a daily design notebook, and facilitating a team symposium/paper, we will collectively and individually endeavor to expose, identify, and explore several of Denmark s most outstanding works and designers. Copenhagen is unquestionably a wonderfully engaging metropolis on infinite levels. It is a city with deep historical roots, whilst also boasting a vibrant and rapidly advancing modern society. It provides us with numerous case studies for meaningful inquiry into a diversity of course topics and sub-theses. Copenhagen will be the primary classroom, and the wider field and learning lab in which we situate all of the course s core research. 1

2 Learning Objectives The principal aim is to deepen understandings of Design + Society in Denmark via lectures, field studies and discussions. The specific learning objectives for this course are as follows: To understand the interrelated aspects of politics, society and design as experienced across multiple scales and contexts To obtain an understanding of the diverse and overlapping disciplines of design within Danish society To gather and assess important information (practical and theoretical), which will specifically aid in obtaining broader understandings of Danish design culture(s) To critically reflect on daily experiences in text and image; improving one s analytical abilities and skills to visualize and verbalize design issues Lego, plastic, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, Approach to Teaching To more meaningfully explore and understand the design culture(s) of Denmark, this course will employ an interweaving of field studies, readings, lectures, and class discussions and presentations. Approximately half the instructional time will be spent in the DIS classroom, and the other half will be spent in the field (learning through first-hand experiences within the classroom-that-is- Copenhagen). Various relevant sites and cultural institutions will be explored individually and in teams; where approximately half are required Group Field Studies and half are Independent Field Studies. It is highly encouraged to undertake as many of the Independent Field Studies in small groups as well, thus providing more opportunities for critical collegial discussions. Readings Readings are available on Canvas (disabroad.instructure.com). Please make sure to familiarize yourself with the course pages there. Assessment Criteria The course is 100% internally assessed. It should be noted that although guest lecturers and guest critics will participate in many aspects of this course, they will not be awarding grades. Only the course faculty will conduct the final graded assessments. Grading and Evaluation Criteria This course is fully project-based; i.e. there are no formal examinations. All students are expected to develop a high level of communicative clarity, professional judgment and craftsmanship in all aspects of their work. Grades will be based on the following four components: 20% Individual Visual Exploration (Assignment 1) 20% Group Paper / Symposium (Assignment 2) 40% Individual Reflection Paper (Assignment 3) 20% Class Participation and Attendance The Mountain, housing, BIG, Ørestad,

3 Assignments Individual Visual Exploration [20%] - Assignment 1 Take pictures of sites and landmarks in Copenhagen, and try to identify structures and patterns - historic and contemporary - of the Copenhagen neighbourhoods. Use images and notes to create a collage where you articulate your impressions so far, and where you connect historical knowledge with keen observations. The aim is both to explore, document and raise questions regarding discoveries made. Your Visual Exploration will be presented to fellow students in a session devoted to shape study questions for the course as a whole. Group Paper/Symposium [20%] - Assignment 2 A study of a specific topic chosen from list provided by faculty. The assignment is a group assignment and the aim is further extend the exploration of design and society in Denmark. Group papers will be presented to fellow students in class. Artichoke lamp, aluminum, Poul Henningsen Individual Reflection Paper [40%] - Assignment 3 This assignments constitutes your all-course individual exploration document. In it you are requested to highlight aspects of the relationship between design and society, as you experience it throughout the different input you are presented with during the course. Use text and visuals and compile a personal observation paper where you are also encouraged to raise critical observations. Class Participation and Attendance [20%] The class is designed to provide an interactive intellectual environment for all students. It is expected that all students will prepare in advance for every class session: completing the required readings, making notes on the readings, devising questions to pose in class, and being ready to participate in the discussions in every way. Collegial sparring and respect for a diversity of viewpoint is key to individual learning, as well as being essential to the uncovering of our collective intelligence as a class-as-a-whole. 7-chair, laminated wood veneer, Arne Jacobsen,

4 Policies Attendance You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss two classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness, but you will need to provide a doctor s note. Academic Honesty DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of F and can result in dismissal. The students home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions. Cylinda-Line for Stelton, Arne Jacobsen, Electronic Devices in the Classroom The use of electronic devices is restricted to note-taking during lectures and field studies. Laptop may be used for relevant note taking only. Cell phone use must take place outside of class hours. 4

5 Day Date Session Time Topic Tu May 24 Arrival in Copenhagen First day of DIS housing. Housing Introduction We May 25 09:00-10:00 Opening Ceremony + Orientation Bethesda, Rømersgade 17 10:00-13:00 DIScover Copenhagen 01 13:15-16:10 Course Introduction: Zooming in on Denmark - From Landscape to Object (KL) Introduction to the course, by way of looking at the different scales or levels of Danish landscape, planning, architecture, and design. How does functionalist and humanist Danish city-building culture deviate from the traditions of North America? Comparisons with Manhattan and Atlanta (Rem Koolhaas) and Las Vegas (Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown). Introductions to the assignments of the course. Kay Fisker: The Moral of Functionalism [1947], in: Michael Asgaard Andersen (Ed.), Nordic Architects Write: A Documentary Anthology, Abingdon & New York: Routledge, pp The Story Of Scandinavian Design: Combining Function and Aesthetics (article by Katrín Eyþórsdóttir) the-story-of-scandinavian-design-combining-function-and-aesthetics/ Th May :30-09:50 Politics and Society: Denmark after 1900 Guest lecturer: Jacob Buksti - Member of Parliament for Social Democrats, Minister for Transport, , DIS Faculty since In this period, DK has grown from an agrarian economy to a rich, modern industrial society with a highly developed Welfare State. The process of change continues as DK develops into an international information society. What was DK s role in World War II? How did DK become a leading Welfare State? How was the economic crisis in the 1970s and 1980s followed by the status as the economic wunderkind of Europe at the turn of the millennium and one of the strongest and most competitive economies in the world? Østergaard, Uffe: Denmark: A Big Small State The Peasant Roots of Danish Modernity, pp Jespersen, Knud J.V.: A History of Denmark: Ch. 4, pp :05-11:25 Planning Copenhagen Guest lecturer: Jannie Bendsen - PhD, consultant at Danish Agency for Culture since 2013 working with listed buildings with a special focus on housing and architecture from the 20th century. With DIS since Changing ideas in planning and planning in Copenhagen after Fingerplanen, Køge Bugt, Copenhagen Harbour front and Ørestad. Tom Nielsen, Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss: Welfare Urbanism. Kvorning, Jens. Copenhagen: Formation, Change, and Urban Life Intro to Assignment 1 Getting to Know the Multiple Identities of Copenhagen (KL) - DUE DATE: May :15-16:10 Group field study: Explore Copenhagen on bike (TBD++) Remember to take pictures for your assignment 1 5

6 Day Date Session Time Topic Fr May :30-11:25 Zooming in on Copenhagen - Urban History of Copenhagen (KL) An outline of the urban history of Copenhagen. Landmarks, means of orientation, and elements of organization in the urban environment. InterSAVE: International Survey of Architectural Values in the Environment, Ministry of Environment and Energy, The National Forest and Nature Agency, Claus M. Smidt, Bourgeois architecture, in: Hanne Raabyemagle & Claus M. Smidt (Eds.), Classicism in Copenhagen: Architecture in the Age of C. F. Hansen, Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 1998, pp Sa-Su May Independent Field Study Study Tour to Elsinore and North Zealand using public transportation Grundtvig s Church; Bagsværd Church; Louisiana Museum of Modern Art; Elsinore Old Town; Kronborg Castle; The Culture Yard ; The Maritime Museum of Denmark Mo May 30 Morning Independent Field Study Design Flagship Stores - list and directions available on Canvas Afternoon Work on and finalize Assignment 1 (No faculty) Tu May :30-09:50 Presentations of Assignment 1 (KL) 09 10:05-11:25 What is design? (KL) Thomas Dickson: Chapter 1: What is design?: Dansk Design, London: Murdoch Books, 2006, pp (Several copies on reserve in DIS Library.) Thomas Dickson: Chapter 2: Where does Danish design come from?: Dansk Design, London: Murdoch Books, 2006, pp (Several copies on reserve in DIS Library.) What is design? :15-16:10 Group Field Study: Designmuseum Denmark + Amalienborg (KL) Designmuseum Denmark offers a comprehensive overview of both clasic and contemporary Danish design. We will dive into both aspects and use this as a platform for discussions about the particularities of Danish Design as well as the way in which designers attempt to relate to the surrounding society. The Danish Queens residence is just around the corner and we will take a stroll and end the field study on the square in front of Amalienborg. Pernille Steensgaard: Copenhagen: People and Places, Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 2006, pp Poul Henningsen: Tradition and Modernism [1927], in: Michael Asgaard Andersen (Ed.), Nordic Architects Write: A Documentary Anthology, Abingdon & New York: Routledge, 2008, pp Mads Falbe-Hansen (Ed.), Frederik VIII s Palace: Restoration, Rebuilding, Artistic Decoration, Copenhagen: Palaces and Properties Agency,

7 Day Date Session Time Topic We Jun :30-11:25 Group Field Study: Urban Design Walk Guest lecturer: Henning Thomsen - Program Director for Architecture and Design at DIS. Architect MAA. Leading positions with the Ministry of Urban Affairs, Realdania, the Architects Association, the Danish Architecture Center and Gehl Architects. With DIS since A walking tour to new squares and urban design sites to study the power of urban design, the connections to peoples everyday lives and the considerations Copenhagen attributes to its public spaces. Jan Gehl: The Human Dimension, Cities for People, Island Press, 2010, pp Interview with Jan Gehl, urban designer in Copenhagen, Arkitektur DK 06/2012, pp Interview with Tina Saaby, city architect in Copenhagen, Arkitektur DK 05/2012, pp :15-16:10 Group Field Study: Top-Down + Bottom-Up Urbanism, Nørrebro (KL) Tour of Nørrebro s Red Square, Black Market, Green Park, Superkilen, Byhaven 2200, and Folkets Park. Meet at Nørrebro s Red Square (Den Røde Plads), by the swings, at 13:00 sharp. Transport by public bus or own bike. Pack lunch + good walking shoes + rain gear. James Corner: Terra Fluxus, in: Charles Waldheim (Ed.), The Landscape Urbanism Reader, New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2006, pp Tom Nielsen: Informal Co-Existence and Amenities for All: Democratic Urban Spaces in the Nordic Countries, in: Kjeld Kjeldsen, Jeanne Rank Schelde, Michael Asgaard Andersen & Michael Juul Holm (Eds), New Nordic: Architecture & Identity, Humlebæk: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2012, pp Brett Bloom: Superkilen: Participatory Park Extreme! (2013). Th Jun 02 All day Work on Group Paper / Symposium Assignment (No faculty) Group Paper due at 16:00 - upload to Canvas Fr Jun :30-11:25 Group Symposia Presentations (20 mins each) (KL) Read everyone s papers in advance on Canvas Introduction to afternoon Group Field Study: Recent Danish (Landscape) Architecture (KL) :15-16:10 Group Field Study: Ørestad (KL) Visits to the DR Concert Hall, Tietgen Student Residence, Mountain Dwellings, 8 House, the Metro network + landscape and sculptures Evening Independent Field Study: Tivoli Sa-Su Jun The Distortion Street Festival is taking place from June 1-5 ( 7

8 Day Date Session Time Topic Mo Jun :30-13:00 Group Field Study: Freetown Christiania (KL) Philipp Oswalt, Klaus Overmeyer & Philipp Misselwitz: Patterns of the Unplanned, in: Terry Schwarz & Steve Rugare (Eds), Pop Up City, Kent State University, 2009, pp Pernille Steensgaard: Copenhagen: People and Places, Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 2006, pp Kim Dirckinck-Holmfeld & Martin Keiding, Learning from Christiania, in: Kim Dirckinck-Holmfeld, Martin Keiding & Marianne Amundsen (Eds), Christianias lære Learning from Christiania, Copenhagen: Danish Architectural Press, 2005, pp Merete Ahnfeldt-Mollerup: Christiania s aesthetics You can t kill us / we are part of you, in: Kim Dirckinck-Holmfeld, Martin Keiding & Marianne Amundsen (Eds), Christianias lære Learning from Christiania, Copenhagen: Danish Architectural Press, 2005, pp Other interviews and essays in Kim Dirckinck-Holmfeld, Martin Keiding & Marianne Amundsen (Eds), Christianias lære Learning from Christiania, Copenhagen: Danish Architectural Press, (On reserve) Group Discussion + Lunch at Papirøen ( Paper Island ) Consultations on individual papers available this afternoon as well. Tu Jun :00-13:00 Group Field Study: Frilandsmuseet in Kongens Lyngby (KL) A tour of one of the largest and oldest open air museums in the world. The Open Air Museum is a museum of rural architecture focusing on landscapes, buildings and people. Afternoon Work on individual paper (No faculty) We Jun 08 All day Work on individual paper (No faculty) Th Jun 09 All day Work on individual paper (No faculty) Individual paper due at 16:00 - upload to Canvas Fr Jun :00-13:00 Group Field Study + Course Conclusion (KL) Danish Schools, Past and Present Visits to Nyboder School and Sølvgade School Concluding reception at Bygninskulturens Hus, a former school and now home to various NGO organisations. Sa Jun 11 End of DIS housing arrangements / Departure Schedule subject to change with as much notice as possible. 8