As part of Designers’ Saturday festival in Oslo, curators Kirsten Visdal and Per Olav Sølvberg displayed an array of vintage and contemporary Nordic design objects in the home of artist Paul Hellsegg.
Visdal and Sølvberg described the exhibition, called Zeitgeist 2.0 or Tidsånden 2.0 in Norwegian, as an interactive show that presented classic designs and products by emerging talents in a genuine domestic context.
Zeitgeist 2.0 took over the home of artist Paul Hellsegg
The title refers to what the curators describe as a move away from rational, modernist principles and towards a focus on tactility and emotional connection with everyday objects.
“After years of modernism, we are now witnessing a new movement; one in which memory, heritage and personality gain prominence,” said Visdal. “People are drawn back to beauty, colour and ornamentation, which is reflected in both public and private spaces.”
Among the pieces on show was Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg’s Anemon rug
“We are so impatient today; everything is expected to be ready-made, but creating a home is a patient process; it needs to be built layer upon layer,” she added.
The apartment and studio of artist Paul Hellsegg, located in Oslo’s Cort Adelers gate neighbourhood, was chosen as the setting for the presentation, which aimed to make visitors feel like participants rather than spectators.
Varier contributed its classic kneeling chair
“We wanted to bring design back into a real environment – not a gallery, but a lived-in space,” Sølvberg told Dezeen.
“The space also includes his atelier, which inspired much of the concept. It gave us a sense of artistic freedom and authenticity – an environment where creativity is literally part of the walls.”
Textile vases by Kristine Five Melvær provided a pop of colour
Pieces from Norwegian and Nordic brands were integrated into the interior alongside Hellsegg’s expressive abstract paintings and functional sculptures to give the exhibition a casual and inclusive feel.
“The idea was not to erase the soul of the home, but to let design dialogue with it,” said Sølvberg. “We repainted, re-lit and adjusted the layout slightly – but kept the spirit intact.”
Norwegian brand Northern contributed several lamps
The show featured objects with a narrative quality from established brands like Kasthall, Northern, Varier and Fogia, alongside works from younger studios like Nedre Foss, Andersen & Voll and Pettersen Hein.
“We wanted to show the new while placing it in a personal, lived context, allowing the pieces to speak to each other and form a genuine dialogue,” Sølvberg said.
Norwegian designers use reclaimed materials to customise USM Haller furniture
The objects displayed as part of Zeitgeist 2.0 included a dining table and chairs by Jenkins & Uhnger, a cabinet by Färg & Blanche, lighting from Northern and a coffee table from Fora Form.
A focus was placed on quality of design, craftsmanship and a connection to Norwegian heritage, as exemplified by the Anemon rug designed by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg for Kasthall.
This modern piece, based on an archival pattern, was presented alongside playful, handcrafted textile vases by Kristine Five Melvær, and a steel storage unit designed by emerging designer Jonas Stokke for Eskoleia.
Design duo Pettersen Hein showed their concrete vases
Other pieces chosen to demonstrate Norway’s heritage of innovation and craftsmanship included the sculptural Ekstrem chair designed by Terje Ekstrøm in 1984, the simple Less sofa from LK Hjelle and a selection of crafted objects from Nedre Foss.
The exhibition’s domestic setting created a relaxed atmosphere where visitors were encouraged to sit down, linger and engage with each other and the objects on display.
A Flokk office chair features in the apartment’s workspace
According to the curators, some people commented that “it felt like being inside a conversation between art, design and life”, while others shared childhood memories triggered by familiar objects such as wool rugs and wooden chairs.
The show’s format is an extension of Sølvberg and Visdal’s professional practice as curators of spaces that are rooted in everyday experiences.
The exhibition formed part of Designers’ Saturday
The pair suggested that the Hos Paul concept may evolve into a recurring series that would see different domestic spaces used to showcase contemporary art and design.
Visdal’s previous projects include an exhibition of Norwegian furniture, objects and sculptures that was installed in a former smoking room at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
The photography is by Anne Meranda.