“RUMMELIGHED” IN FOCUS
A collaboration between Danish artist Simon Ganshorn and NORR11
In Danish, the word “rummelighed” describes both physical and figurative spaciousness, best translated as "spaciousness" or "open-mindedness." Working under this exact theme, artist Simon Ganshorn has been creating a series of artworks in the NORR11 Copenhagen showroom, seeking harmony between his pieces and the surrounding furniture. While he has worked intuitively and energetically, the showroom has remained open to the public, inviting visitors to witness the creative process up close.
But the collaboration began somewhere entirely different: through a chance meeting between Ganshorn and NORR11’s Chief Commercial Officer and Co-CEO, Iben Wistrup Schwaner. Their conversation quickly unfolded into hours of discussion, revealing a shared curiosity about what defines "rummelighed" and how it impacts people. For both, the concept holds deep significance, though in different ways. Art and design, after all, are also expressions of spaciousness.
Simon elaborates:
"To me, rummelighed takes many forms. Physically, it’s the perfect space - an interplay of different materials, new objects alongside those with history, and the conversations happening within it."
Iben: "For me, rummelighed is about the space we create within ourselves and for each other - a kind of openness, free from judgment. There should be room for everyone. You do you. But it’s also about curiosity, about understanding that we can learn from one another, even when we hold different opinions. And of course, this ties into physical space. I’ve long been fascinated by what our furniture can do. There’s something about it that resonates with people, allowing us to grow year after year. I’ve been curious to explore what that is. I keep coming back to form, the sculptural, geometric qualities, and how furniture can influence the atmosphere of a space and then the materiality and comfort. Our furniture pieces have a presence. They like to take center stage, they have a point of view. But we also create furniture that fosters a sense of safety. That idea of feeling safe - it's something we’ll be exploring even more, looking at furniture from a more holistic perspective.”
Though NORR11 and Ganshorn come from different industries, both share a desire to highlight the benefits from collaborations.
The theme of rummelighed extends beyond physical space, emphasizing how cross-industry partnerships and the merging of diverse perspectives can create new forms of spaciousness. This approach is not new to NORR11, which previously invited the Canadian lighting brand A-N-D to exhibit under the same roof during 3daysofdesign. At the time, Iben Wistrup Schwaner noted that collaboration is about fostering new ideas and unexpected outcomes through openness, lifting each other up in the process.
Iben: "Collaborating across industries or personalities brings edge and character. It forces us to take a stance. Many of our furniture pieces have a distinct character, just as art does. By working with Simon, we offer people an experience beyond just seeing furniture. I believe design needs to hold more meaning if we are to shape the future.”
Simon: "I find it exciting to create site-specific works. I’ve always been fascinated by spaces. When I was younger, I loved building forts, creating places where I felt safe, but that also facilitated conversations. I work across different media, but what’s interesting about paintings is their sheer scale. They allow you to create a space within a space, to engage the body in a way that is almost physical. Sculptures, on the other hand, function differently - they act as visual focal points, drawing attention within a room.”
Iben: “Entering this collaboration brings something new for both of us. What happens to our furniture when surrounded by these artworks? There must be meaning in what we do, but I didn’t know what that meaning was until we reached the other side of the process. That’s the exciting thing about collaboration - it generates something unexpected, something we didn’t know before. And we want to continue working this way, guided by a sense of intuition, inviting people in - across disciplines - to see what emerges.”
As part of the project, Simon Ganshorn and Iben Wistrup Schwaner have also explored the theme of spaciousness and collaboration in the Danish podcast Design Kan. The artworks will remain on display in the showroom for the coming months, where visitors are welcome to experience the final pieces and the interplay between art and design.
