introduction to nordic lattitudes—
an exhibition of classic modern design and lifestyle
february 1 – march 18, 2007
The Santa Monica Public Library, Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, and Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners introduce Nordic LAttitudes, an educational exhibit showcasing the best in Nordic furniture and lighting design.
Modernist architecture and interior design now enjoy a broader popularity
than at any time in history. As anyone who has scanned the pages of dwell
magazine—or flipped open a mobile phone—knows, we are now
completely at home with the modernist tendencies of elegance, inventive
materiality, and ergonomics. Long before computers and high-quality electronic
devices worked their way into our lives, designers and crafters working
in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland were developing the vision, the forms,
and the process by which much of our modern interior world has been created.
Indeed, few movements in art or architecture have had the longevity, sustained
interest, and development that we can now attribute to this still-active
Nordic school of modern design.
This exhibition presents classic design that is still in production, including
the most essential and influential works from this vibrant movement. The
Santa Monica Public Library is itself an ideal setting for viewing these
wonderful examples of furniture and lighting, as the Library’s functional
and aesthetic qualities are so profoundly influenced by Nordic attitudes.
This distinct branch of modernism simultaneously idealizes use, strength,
economy, and light. Materials are made to last and to be
touched. Surfaces are kept simple, so as to highlight shape and profile.
Light itself is molded, as curved forms invite the eye to trace the contours
of a lamp’s reflective planes, or follow the back of a chair. Not
surprisingly many of the elements in the show are chairs. The intimate
concern for the human body, for comfort, for balance, and for the eye’s
reaction to shifting edges of light brings these works to life. Nordic
design creates an organic continuum of object and user.
Our hope is that like Nordic modern design, the new Library provides a
place that will reveal new qualities, and enrich the daily activities
of its users for many decades.
—John Ruble, FAIA
Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners