On display until — 25 May 2025

Trans Europa Design Express – a journey through five design collections

Visiting time: ●●● Long (45 minutes)

This exhibition offers a thrilling tour of five major European design collections. Design Museum Brussels, Designmuseum Danmark, mudac Lausanne, Triennale Milano and Domaine de Boisbuchet have all selected items from their exceptional holdings to show at Design Museum Den Bosch. The choices vary widely, reflecting the history of these high-profile institutions and showing how design collections have been used for all sorts of reasons: from providing inspiration for local craftspeople to promoting a national innovation agenda. We are presenting Trans Europa Design Express as a way of thinking about the design museum of the future, in anticipation of the new building that will house Design Museum Den Bosch a few years from now.

This is a picture of a sofa that looks like red lips. It is the Bocca Sofa, made by Studio65 — Without title (sofa), Studio65, Collection Triënnale Milano. Picture Frederico Munasardi

This is a picture of a chair. The chair is made of wood and leather. — Den Røde stol, Kaare Klint, 1927. Collection Designmuseum Danmark

This is a photo of a cushion made by Henry van de Velde. The cushion is embroidered with grey patterns. — Without title, Henry van de Velde, 1900. Collection Designmuseum Danmark

Designmuseum Danmark

The objects featured in the exhibition vary widely and reflect the origins of the different museums and collections. Designmuseum Danmark, for instance, is a large museum in Copenhagen with a huge collection from all eras and regions of the world. It was once known popularly as the ‘model museum’, with exhibits intended to inspire Danish designers and craftspeople. Hence the remarkable number of Asian objects that were collected, for instance, including Japanese bronze ‘tsubas’ (handguards for swords) and Chinese furniture. At the same time, the collection reflects the development of Danish design. Take the craft and craftsmanship-oriented furniture of godfather Kaare Klint, the eccentric Peder Moos and the internationally renowned Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl.

mudac

The mudac collection from Lausanne is much smaller. In terms of both scale and the type of work, it is very similar to Design Museum Den Bosch. MUDAC has chiefly collected historical and contemporary design from its own region, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, including work by Paul Bonifas, Bertille Laguet and Xénia Lafelly, complemented by delightful objects by Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst.

This is a picture of a glass form made by Dalí. The colour of the glass is blue and the name of the work is Fleur du mal — Fleur du mal, Salvador Dalí, 1968. Collection mudac, ©Atelier de numérisation de la Ville de Lausanne, photographe Arnaud Conne

This is a photo of seating furniture. It is a red plastic piece of furniture, made by Liisi Beckmann. — Karelia, Liisi Beckmann, 1966. Collection Design Museum Brussels

Design Museum Brussels

The nature and origins of the Design Museum Brussels collection could hardly be more different. The youngest museum in this exhibition was created in response to the acquisition of an outstanding private collection of plastic objects. The rare, gleaming white and brightly coloured furniture from the 1960s and 70s includes show-stoppers by the likes of Liisi Beckmann, Günter Beltzig, Piero Gilardi, Enzo Mari and Ugo La Pietra. Appropriately enough, the museum is located close to the world-famous Atomium, a symbol of European pop culture since 1958.

Domaine de Boisbuchet

The collection of Domaine de Boisbuchet in central France, meanwhile, was assembled by the cultural entrepreneur Alexander von Vegesack, co-founder of Vitra Design Museum. It represents the cream of the modern design tradition, with work by Alvar Aalto, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, Gerald Summers and Frank Lloyd Wright. There are also anonymous objects such as a magnificent western saddle and a graphic Mexican poncho, which generate an intriguing tension. In the rural setting of Domaine de Boisbuchet, the collection offers a visual and intellectual backdrop for the many designer workshops hosted there.

This is a picture of a motorcycle. The motorcycle is made of black metal and its a BMW classic. — R 64 S, anonymous, 1964. Collection Domaine de Boisbuchet

This is a picture of a cream colored armchair. The chair is made out of one piece of plywood by Gerald Summers. — Armchair, Gerald Summers, 1933. Collection Domaine de Boisbuchet

This is a picture of Trumeau Architettura. This is some sort of closet, which is decorated with architectural designs. — Trumeau Architettura, Piero Fornasetti & Gio Ponti, 1951. Collection Triennale Milano. Picture Amendolagine Barracchia

Triennale Milano

The fifth and final selection is drawn from the collection of the world-famous Triennale in Milan and reflects the exciting history of this key institution. Besides Italian objects by the likes of Achille Castiglioni, Bruno Munari, Gaetano Pesce and Gio Ponti, the collection includes posters, books and films relating to the Triennale’s history, including work by the director Tinto Brass.

A new design museum in Den Bosch

The exhibition Trans Europa Design Express has been organized with the construction of the new premises for Design Museum Den Bosch in mind. We feel an affinity with other design museums in Europe, where a great deal of interesting discussion is taking place with regard to programming and collection development. Like us, they face the task of understanding, collecting and displaying new cultural developments in our world. Trans Europa Design Express is a marvellous touchstone for Design Museum Den Bosch and for visitors to engage in the discourse regarding design in the museum.