Lecture: Scandinavian modern - behind the scenes
17th June 2026, 18:30 - 19:40
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Assembly Rooms
Organised by : The Arts Society Chichester Evening
James Vaux considers why 1950s Scandinavian modern design became so popular, taking the US and Europe by storm, and how it turned from being a revolutionary movement into just another style? And was there a dark side to it? Lurking in the shadows, there was a Nordic project to change consumer taste and shape the model citizen, using scientific experimentation and social engineering. Using IKEA catalogues of the period, James shows just how resistant consumers were to the new, state-sanctioned, clean lines.
Illustration: The Magic of Form, courtesy of Designmuseum, Denmark @ James Vaux
The Assembly Room, Chichester Council, North Street PO19 1LQ