Generation WHY

A generation of Scandinavian voices is expressed in the traveling exhibition “Generation WHY,” where Nordic designers from Generation Y (born between 1977 and 1994) focus on various aspects of their existence.

Three curators from each Nordic country have selected a number of artists and designers from a generation of creators who address significant themes, taking life, their practices, and the planet seriously and personally. The chosen artists from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland convey the emotions, experiences, and perspectives of their generation through powerful, moving works.

They explore existential themes such as trauma, grief, physical ailments, gender and climate issues using textiles, glass, ceramics, metal, wood, pigments, dust, and fungal mycelium as materials.

From Denmark, exhibitors include

Maria Koshenkova, Morten Klitgaard, Astrid Skibsted, Jonas Edvard, Stine Bidstrup, Anne Brandhøj, Alexandru Murar, Carl Emil Jacobsen, Stine Mikkelsen, Maria Viftrup and Wang & Söderström. 

From Norway, exhibitors include

Ina Vang, Håvard Kranstad, Renate Desiree Dahl, Ida Siebke, Ask Bjørlo, Steffen Andre Nilsen, Elin Hedberg, Lissette Escobar, Cato Løland, Marsil Andjelov Al-Mohamid and Marthe Minde. 

From Sweden, exhibitors include

Karin Roy Andersson, Anna Nordström, Matilda Kästel, Maja Michaeldotter, Lisa Juntunen Roos, Milja Morset, Emilia Olofdotter Sundqvist, Fadhel Mourali, Maja Stjärna and Lotta Snijder.

From Iceland

Ýr Jóhannsdóttir.

The exhibition was initiated by the association behind the Norwegian Villvin Crafts Market in connection with the 300th anniversary of Risør city in 2023 and curated by Charlotte Jul, Marcia Harvey Isaksson og Vidar Koksvik.

“Generation WHY” opened in July 2023 at Risør Kunstpark in Norway. In 2024, the exhibition opens at the Round Tower before it moves on to Rian Designmuseum in Sweden, 2025.

The exhibition is open until April 28th at 16. The Library Hall will remain closed until May 4th when the next exhibition opens.

The exibition is supported by:
Augustinus Fonden
Statens Kunstfond
Knud Højgaards Fond
Ellen og Knud Dalhoff Larsens Fond
Konsul George Jorck og hustru Emma Jorck’s Fond
Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond

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