Dysthe Design. Swinging 60 Exhibition at Museum of Decorative Arts in Oslo

Skies design

This exhibition pays tribute to Sven Ivar Dysthe's (b.1931) 60-year long career as one of the most prominent designers of the postwar era. Already as a student at The Royal College of Art in London, Dysthe was entrusted with the honour of creating a gift box for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. Upon returning to Norway, he brought a breath of fresh air to the design scene with a style that was Norwegian, but with clear international references.

Popcorn design

This confluence of Norwegian and international influences can best be seen in his furniture models, which have been the main area of focus throughout his career. It is here, that he has influenced, like few others, both the public and public spheres of design in Norway, as well as in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Laminette, 1001, Planet and Popcorn are some of hist most famous chairs. The latter two introduced the concept of pop-design in Norway, and have recently been submitted for reproduction.

As an industrial designer, Dysthe has produced a wide range of products - including shelving, kitchen fittings and lamps. Among his most innovative designs are his two-point ski-bindings made of hard plastic: Symmetric, Racer and Micro made for Bergans, a Norwegian outdoor equipment outfitter. Dysthe's design helped revolutionise ski-bindings worldwide.

Sven Invar Dysthe's strength as a designer is the ability to think through and develop a product down to the smallest detail, while finding simple solutions to complex problems. His expression of form

The exhibition is divided into three parts:
The first room showcases a 60-year retrospective of Sven Ivar Dysthe's design inventions.
The second room presents the international Dysthe and his design for public spaces during the 50s and 60s.
The last room shows a 'home life'-oriented Dysthe and features designs for home furnishings including collaborations with his wife, interior designer Trinelise Dysthe.