The functionalism that Bauhaus espoused was prevalent in Scandinavian architecture. The Nordic countries adopted many styles for their buildings and came up with their own, but “funkis” (the term for functionalism there) become one of the more popular styles. Cover of Der Data Magazine, edited by Raoul Hausmann. The Viking Age started around 793 to 1066 CE with the notable 793 CE invasion of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland, North East England. This was the onset of the Viking invasions and the severity of what these “Northmen” were capable of. They pillaged and killed the people from the island and desecrated what was considered holy without any reverence to the Christian religion practiced throughout England. The Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (KIT) is part of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at NTNU. It offers the opportunity to study visual art at both a bachelor and master level.

We will also notice their serpentine bodies curling around the cup have dots in the center or metal-like “beading”. When we look at their heads, they appear to have large lips curling upwards with a long ponytail-like protrusion interweaving behind their bodies to create a pattern.The art is characterised by vibrant colours, intricate patterns and imaginative themes which often feature depictions of nature, animals and folklore. Kittelsen’s art also liked to focus on the outdoors and landscapes; however, he “ fortrollet naturen” (made the natural unnatural) by incorporating fantastical elements into them, such as the Nøkk at Tårntjernet lake. Christian Krohg (1852-1925) and Oda Krohg (1860-1935) Most of Norse Art, and similarly Viking artwork, was skilfully carved in wood. In fact, woodworking was an important occupation and skill in Viking culture. Other materials utilized were metals, stones, ivory, bone, including textiles. We notice the Viking designs on many of their objects, including objects for burials and their seafaring ships. While art today tends to be created purely to be admired, Viking art seemed to have been used to decorate functional objects. For example, doors were embellished with carvings, ship posts were whittled into the shape of animal heads, and even earspoons were embellished. A silver Viking earspoon from Sweden. Image: Swedish History Museum

Then I became more interested in how people in the countryside, far from manor houses and homes in the cities, had taken the design one step further in their own way. It was this new aspect that drew my attention to the folk art and it still attracts me as a true source of inspiration although – or perhaps I should say since – my role as a professor in furniture culture is to help my students to find new paths in the field of furniture design for the needs of today. Scandinavian folk art is quite particular in the sense that there are similar themes displayed in the pieces. Common elements of Scandinavian folk art include: In Iceland, one of the key aspects of folk art is its folk music. Although not something you can see in a museum, Icelandic folk music is one of the most important forms of folk art in Iceland.One of the major influences in Finnish folk art is the Kalevala, a collection of Finnish folklore, myths and legends.