Finn Juhl Created "Vessels for the Free Human Body"

Finn Juhl, an architect and furniture designer from Denmark, was instrumental in establishing Denmark as a global design powerhouse in the 1950s. He challenged the prevailing design styles of the time, influenced by free modern art, to establish his own unique design language. He viewed furniture as "vessels for the free human body," with iconic works such as the "Easy Chair No. 45" and the "Pelican Chair." His organic furniture designs, characterized by their complex, expressive curves, made him a leading Danish designer.



This exhibition focuses on the details, silhouettes, and craftsmanship of Finn Juhl's furniture designs, showcasing approximately 50 works from 1940 onwards, including pieces currently in production and prototypes of future reissues. Visitors can not only view but also touch and sit on these masterpieces. Particularly noteworthy is the limited reissue of the "Armchair No. 44," a legendary piece said to exist in only 12 examples worldwide, crafted from Keyaki wood from the ancient Jomon period. The venue also features not only furniture but also sketches and drawings (copies), and a large mobile inspired by his designs, allowing visitors to experience the "visual lightness" and "sense of freedom" characteristic of his work.



Concurrently, research based on actual measurements of the Finn Juhl house by Professor Koichi Ohno of Tokai University's Graduate School of Art and Engineering and Professor Kenji Oda of the Department of Living Design, Faculty of Art and Engineering, will be presented. In addition to Finn Juhl's works, pieces by Kasper Salto and Thomas Sigsgaard, Danish designers also active with Fritz Hansen, are scheduled to be introduced.

The Universe of Finn Juhl
Period: Saturday, January 28, 2012 – Sunday, February 12, 2012, 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM (On Jan 28th only, until 5:00 PM)
Location: Shinjuku Park Tower Gallery 1, 1F Shinjuku Park Tower, 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Free