LARSEN & ERIKSEN x LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
The Epitome of Minimalism
Since its opening in 1958, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art has been considered a major work in Danish modernist architecture. In the well-balanced style of the late 1950's discreet modernism, the architecture is dominated by clean lines, geometrical shapes and the repetition of these.
Together with Louisiana, we have translated these shapes - in particular the repetition of rectangles seen in the iconic glass panels of the museum - into an understated, minimalist watch which is only available at Louisiana (recently awarded the "World's Best Museum Store").
It has been said that, from the beginning, two factors were critical to Louisiana's architecture; coherence and gentleness.
We have worked closely with the creative department of Louisiana to ideate a watch design that conveys these two factors.
Coherence is seen in the repetition of the rectangular shapes functioning as hour marking indices.
Gentleness is experienced in the understated and accessible design and the off-white dial softening the contrast between black and white.
Thus, the design embodies both the museum's architecture as well as the soft grace of the undulating landscape that surrounds it.
The two architects behind Louisiana, Vilhelm Wohlert and Jørgen Bo, found inspiration from both sides of the Pacific. Wohlert had taught at University of California at Berkeley, where he became acquainted with the flourishing L.A. art scene and the so-called Bay Area architecture.
The multiculturalism of Los Angeles and San Francisco, especially the growing Japanese community, had a deep impact on the architecture found in Southern California, and the references to the simplicity of Japanese architecture, are obvious at Louisiana.
