subject: Arne Jacobsen, An Influential Modernist [print this page] Arne Jacobsen was known for his furniture design and architectural work and is most remembered for his success with simple but modern chair designs. Danish born Jacobsen originally wished to pursue a career as an artist, but with some convincing from his father, instead chose to study architecture. He won himself a place in the Architecture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where he was taught by Kay Fisker and Kaj Gottlob, both of whom were leading designers and architects.
Jacobsen won many awards for his architectural pieces; the first was a collaboration on 'the house of the future' with fellow architect Flemming Lasson. This piece was built full-scale for an exhibition and included a helicopter pad, garage, boathouse and a supply of ready-meals. It was built using glass and concrete and was designed in a spiral shape. It was after this success that Jacobsen was recognised as an ultra-modern architect. Arne Jacobsen also won a competition to design a seaside resort in Klapenborg; where he designed every aspect of the resort from changing cabins and kiosks to the uniforms for the lifeguards to wear.
Jacobsen faced some public opposition during his career from people who believed that his designs were too modern and not in keeping with the area for which they were intended. An example of this is the design of Arhus City Hall which was deemed anti-monumental and too modern. Jacobsen had to add some marble cladding and a tower to the hall in order for it to be accepted by the public. Amongst his most famous works are the Bellevue theatre and the apartment blocks in Bellavista, Klampenborg. He also designed a project for the Hannover Concert Hall and an administrative building for the Hamburg power station.
It is Arne Jacobsen's furniture designs for which he is most renowned. In 1951 Jacobsen created the 'Ant Chair' and soon after he created the 'Series 7' chairs. The 'Series 7' chairs were the most sold in the history of Fritz Hanson and were made using pressure moulded veneer. These chairs are popular even today for their simple, smooth, and modern design and for the ease with which they stack. In 1956 he designed the 'Egg' and the 'Swan' chairs for the SAS Royal Hotel. The 'Egg' chair design is still seen today and a popular fast food brand have chosen to use this design in some of their restaurants. As well as furniture and architecture Jacobsen made prototypes for silverware, textiles and wallpaper.
Lewis Morley's iconic nude photograph of Christine Keeler shows her astride a copy of one of Jacobsen's No. 7 chairs. It was the shape and design of the chair that allowed Keeler to be nude for the photograph without the photograph being too revealing.
Despite Arne Jacobsen being notorious for his furniture designs he considered himself an architect and was known to actively dislike the term 'designer'. Throughout his life he designed many prominent buildings and many items of furniture all of which carried his distinct, clean, modernist style; the influence of which can still be seen in design today.
