Norwegian Graphic Design powered by nature

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From 11th May until 14th June 2008 the Norwegian Embassy, in cooperation with the agency Himmel & Jord, presents “NATURSCHAUSPIELE – Norwegian Graphic Design: Powered by Nature”, an exhibition of Norwegian graphic design which takes its inspiration and references from elements of nature.

The exhibition takes place as part of the DMY International Design Festival Berlin and will be on show in the Felleshus of the Nordic embassies. The exhibition showcases new forms of the connection between Norwegian graphic design and nature and presents a fascinating cross-section of the contemporary Norwegian design scene with illustrations, animations, brochures, advertising campaigns and other media from around 20 Norwegian design agencies.

Norwegian graphic design abroad
Most Germans associate Norway with spectacular landscapes and nature in the raw.  But Norway also creates an impression in other areas, such as graphic design.  More and more Norwegian design agencies are making a splash internationally and are being commissioned by big business for their campaigns.  Take the Oslo agency ‘Bleed’ which, in addition to Pepsi and Sony, counts Deutsche Bank among its clients.  The publishing house, ‘Die Gestalten’, has already produced a dedicated monograph of the designers behind ‘Yokoland’, before they even finished their studies.

Norway’s graphic designers are also affected by their country’s natural beauty; elements taken from nature like the stylised and naturalistic structures and patterns of leaves, trees and blossom, take root in their work time and time again, always skilfully sited, freshly interpreted and appearing in unexpected contexts.

First exhibition of its kind at the Berlin Design festival
An experience-led exhibition awaits visitors, which highlights not just new emotional responses to nature but above all the
playfulness, freedom and sheer diversity of Norwegian graphic design. The emotionalisation of urban space, the disintegration of the borders between two and three dimensions, the creation of dream and fantasy worlds brimming with nostalgia where everything seems possible – these are just a few of, though perhaps the most typical, facets of contemporary Norwegian graphic design. These romantically playful aspects feature in stark contrast to the rational minimalism which usually is most strongly associated with Scandinavia.

The exhibition is the first ever to be dedicated solely to the theme of graphic design at the Berlin Design Festival. 
The exhibition partners are Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Idea and concept: Lucie Schibel, Ralf Fröhlich, copyright Royal Norwegian Embassy Berlin