Milan 2018: Norwegian Presence

Making is the focus of the fourth iteration of Norwegian Presence, a multi-disciplinary exhibition staged in Milan during the city’s design week (17 - 22 April). Organised by a trio of Norwegian institutions – Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA), Klubben and Norwegian Crafts – the exhibition is one of the biggest showcases of Norwegian design to take place outside of the country.  

Norwegian Presence sets out to celebrate every element of Norway’s making community. The exhibition will showcase the work of craft artists blending ancient making traditions with new technologies to explore new methods and material combinations. It will also present designers introducing the world to high-quality, sustainably made products to enrich homes and enhance lives, as well as a curated selection of innovative prototypes.

The sprawling exhibition also highlights some of the visionary manufacturers, both old and new, who are ultimately responsible for the survival and success of Norway’s design culture. In the exhibition space, you will find furniture, textiles, lighting, sculpture, tableware and domestic accessories; small objects and installations that fill the room; long-standing design icons and new ideas yet to be commercially produced.

This year's presentation focuses on the importance of collaboration. Modern Norway is a place of design without ego, where boundaries are pushed and possibilities explored with a shared spirit of curiosity, in the hope of creating something beautiful, functional and lasting. In the Norwegian language, the word fellesskap goes some way towards capturing this concept. It denotes a focus of community, an appreciation of shared goals and a propensity towards collaboration.

In the world of making, it is the idea that every person in the chain is working towards a common purpose – from designers and craftspeople to manufacturers and distributors, everyone has a contribution to make.

“Norway is a small country, where designers, makers and manufacturers need to stand united. This feeling of fellesskap or togetherness is an important driving force and motivation,” says Grete Sivertsen, project manager at DOGA and Norwegian Presence. “This exhibition — like the Norwegian design industry as a whole— is all about sharing and lifting each other up to make something happen.”