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Explore Danish art and design – HearSay

Danish B1

Discover the beauty and simplicity of Danish design while improving your language skills. Practice listening and speaking on the go as you explore Denmark's rich creative heritage.

Lessons

Golden age of Danish design
Sofie and Lars discuss the origins of the mid-century modern style that put Denmark on the map.
Vocabulary
- et design (a design)
- en guldalder (a golden age)
- funktionalitet (functionality)
- en arkitekt (an architect)
- berømt (famous)
- at skabe (to create)
Objectives
- Discuss historical design periods
- Describe basic design concepts
Famous furniture pieces
Lars shows Sofie some iconic chairs and lamps he is currently restoring in his workshop.
Vocabulary
- en stol (a chair)
- en lampe (a lamp)
- et møbel (a piece of furniture)
- æstetisk (aesthetic)
- tidløs (timeless)
- at indrette (to decorate/furnish)
Objectives
- Name common types of designer furniture
- Talk about interior decoration
Craftsmanship and quality materials
The two friends examine the woodwork and materials that make Danish furniture so durable.
Vocabulary
- et håndværk (a craftsmanship/craft)
- en kvalitet (a quality)
- træ (wood)
- et materiale (a material)
- holdbar (durable)
- at fremstille (to manufacture/produce)
- en detalje (a detail)
Objectives
- Talk about materials used in design
- Evaluate the quality of an object
The democratic design approach
Sofie prepares a presentation on how Danish designers aimed to make quality products for everyone.
Vocabulary
- tilgængelig (accessible)
- en befolkning (a population)
- en hverdag (an everyday life)
- en genstand (an object/item)
- enkelhed (simplicity)
- praktisk (practical)
Objectives
- Explain the concept of democratic design
- Discuss everyday household objects
Visiting an art exhibition
Lars and Sofie spend a Saturday afternoon exploring a new exhibit at a local art museum.
Vocabulary
- en udstilling (an exhibition)
- et kunstværk (an artwork)
- et museum (a museum)
- en maler (a painter)
- at udstille (to exhibit)
- kreativ (creative)
- et lærred (a canvas)
Objectives
- Plan a visit to a museum
- Express opinions about artworks
Studying art and design
Sofie talks about her courses at the Royal Academy and the balance between theory and practice.
Vocabulary
- en uddannelse (an education)
- et akademi (an academy)
- en teori (a theory)
- at undervise (to teach)
- en studerende (a student)
- moderne (modern)
Objectives
- Talk about educational institutions
- Discuss theoretical versus practical skills
Contemporary Danish style today
They reflect on how the legacy of the old masters continues to inspire modern minimalism.
Vocabulary
- nutidig (contemporary)
- et rum (a room/space)
- en arv (a legacy/heritage)
- en bygning (a building)
- at inspirere (to inspire)
- minimalisme (minimalism)
Objectives
- Describe modern interior design trends
- Explain how history influences current artists