In the newly opened exhibition The cup and the ceramist at Designmuseum Danmark the audience can experience new cups by 30 Danish ceramists, get an insight into the design process behind it and take a look back at history with selected cups from the museum’s large collection.

Many of us have a favorite cup that we reach for on the shelf every day. But what really characterizes a good cup of coffee or tea? And what process is behind it? With The cup and the ceramist, Designmuseum Danmark focuses on the handmade cup created by ceramists from all over Denmark. The exhibition is a journey in expression, materials and techniques, but also a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes, both in terms of the design process and insight into the ceramicists’ thoughts behind the individual, handmade cups.

A hyped craft

Today, a cup is not ‘just’ a coffee or tea cup, because the ‘cup’ has grown to include special versions for espresso, cappuccino, black tea, Oolong tea or hot cocoa, for example. Interest in unique, handmade ceramic cups has exploded over the past few years, and with this exhibition there is an opportunity to get up close to the craftsmanship behind it and at the same time experience 30 current takes on ‘the good cup’. The audience can get an insight into the many nuances and possible expressions of ceramics with cups made in both stoneware, earthenware and porcelain. Some cups are turned in the traditional way, others are cast or modeled and then decorated and fired. Together, the many cups give an exciting insight into the richness of idiom and expression that characterizes Danish ceramics right now.

Historic cups

As a perspective on the contemporary craftsmanship, the exhibition shows selected historical cups from Designmuseum Danmark’s large collection, which spans from the 17th century up to the present day.

Experience ceramics by Signe Bailey, Pia Baastrup, Agnethe Schmidt Bigum, Christian Bruun, Clib Klap (Iben Harboe and Claire Maria Lehmann), Ane-Katrine von Bülow, Lisbeth Skytte Christiansen, Thilde Graulund, Ninna Gøtzsche, Helle Hansen, Claus Domine Hansen, Malene Møller Hansen, Helenaa Hedegaard, Anne Mette Hjortshøj, Sverre Tveito Holmen, Dorte Kristoffersen, Mark Lauberg, Ann Linnemann, Pia Lund, Louise Mathiesen, Priscilla Mouritzen, Birgitte Munck, Mie Mølgaard, Lars Rank, Malene Sandal, Hans Vangsø, Rikke Wulff and Gitte and Aage Wûrtz.

The cup and the ceramist can be experienced at Designmuseum Danmark from 15 November 2024 to 27 May 2025. In connection with the exhibition, the book The cup and the ceramist – visiting 30 ceramists (in Danish) is published by ceramist and author Claus Domine Hansen and photographer Flemming Krogh.