Sisu

Sisu | by Dahn Vo

Sisu is a checked upholstery designed by the celebrated designer Nanna Ditzel, which links to the iconic textile Hallingdal she created for Kvadrat in 1965. It is curated by artist Danh Vo, who discovered the design in the Kvadrat archives and chose it for an exhibition at Denmark’s National Gallery (SMK) entitled ‘Take My Breath Away’.

Danh Vo discovered Sisu as he explored Nanna Ditzel's output – a journey sparked by his curiosity around the relationship between textiles and furniture. As he delved into her acclaimed body of work, he discovered that often she did not put her name to her most famous designs.

The expression of Sisu is reminiscent of looking at Hallingdal through a magnifying glass. The textile is woven with thick, voluminous woollen yarns and features a bold yet subtle, checked pattern. Blocks of colour play across its surface, rising to tactile, rhythmic effect.