Clarity and harmony

Geometry and optimism

Paul Gadegaard (1920-96) is probably most well known for his sweeping and spectacular interior decoration projects, in which geometric shapes in bold colours greet passersby with optimism and keenly voiced vision.

From 1952 to 1990, Gadegaard undertook numerous interior decoration commissions around Denmark, including Aage Damgaard’s Angli factory in Herning, which was carried out between 1957 and 1961. The colour fields used by Gadegaard conquered the entire space and radiated throughout the room on the tables, chairs, shelves and binders. The factory is no longer extant, but some of the furnishings can today be found at HEART, Herning's museum of modern and contemporary art.

The state telephone company

Gadegaard’s last great commission was for the state telephone company in Høje Tåstrup, today known as TDC Mobil. The project is not quite as extensive but perfectly in tune with its surroundings. The project began in 1987 and continued until 1990, after which the telephone company’s main hall was transformed into a warm and inviting space without seeming too overwhelming. In contrast to his previous commissions, Gadegaard in this case had to take particular care with regard to the building itself and the working environment.

TDC Mobil has moved operations from the Høje Tåstrup headquarters, which is why this one-of-a-kind interior is now at auction. The contents include a number of paintings and a totemic sculpture on a platform painted in orange, red, yellow, green and blue tones.

Concrete art

If you lack clarity, optimism, and harmony in your daily life, pieces from the Gadegaard interior decoration project could be just what you need. He is one of the Danish artists who has done most to give Concrete art a practical application and has also realised its ideals: To make art a universal idiom accessible to all.  

View Paul Gadegaard’s works here