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Danish Originals

Author: American Friends of Statens Museum of Kunst

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Danish Originals is an ongoing podcast series that spotlights the intersection of Danish creativity, originality, and innovation in the US. It is a collection of interviews with Danish cultural figures — some who live in the US, and others who do not — that explore how their journeys are fueled by vision and ambition. And each episode opens with each guest reflecting on an artwork from Denmark's National Gallery.

Presented by the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst (AFSMK), Danish Originals is partially sponsored by Scan Design Foundation and Studio Haslund. Hosted by Tina Jøhnk Christensen, directed by Christian D. Bruun, produced by Teresa Lai, with original music by Joachim Svare. We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron.

88 Episodes
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From her home in Valby, Copenhagen, Elsinore-born Danish denim and jeans designer CHRISTINE DETLEFSEN finds her inspiration from the vintage world while combining sustainable and responsible innovations in fiber, fabric, and washing. Trained at Levi's, Christine recalls the years working in New York and Los Angeles, and executive producing a documentary about the unique cultural history of jeans. And she walks through how denim design requires an artistic and engineering mindset equally.Christine selects a work by Wolfgang Tillman from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS1996-66/32(Private photograph)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S9E6. Luise Faurschou

S9E6. Luise Faurschou

2026-01-0844:23

From her home in Klampenborg, Copenhagen, Central Zealand-born Danish curator, art advisor, and founder / director of ART 2030 LUISE FAURSCHOU talks about the non-profit's projects in New York City and at the UN Headquarters. With a strong belief that art changes people and people change the world, she describes a 40-year career in art that culminates in collaborations with artists, galleries, and museums to champion the art sector to help envision an interconnected and sustainable future.Luise selects a work by Tomas Saraceno from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8613(Photograph Source: Tine Harden. Courtesy of ART 2030)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From his home office in Nordhavn, Brønshoj-born Danish tech entrepreneur, author, podcaster, investor, and racing driver DAVID HEINEMEIER HANSSON talks about his recent move back home after the fires in Los Angeles. David recalls his start of 37 Signals, his company that developed Ruby on Rails and Basecamp, and he shares his pursuit of flow, his life philosophy in Stoicism, and his thoughts on entrepreneurship, business, media, and the cultural landscapes of the US vs. Denmark.David selects a work by El Greco from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSsp146(Photograph Source: David Heinemeier Hansson)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
On a visit to Los Angeles, Skagen-born, Silicon Valley-based Danish designer and creative consultant LOUISE "LULU" ESCHELMAN recalls arriving in LA on a one-way ticket. She shares the vision of her company Lumilla, founded on Danish minimalism with a laidback California sensibility, that has evolved from a luxury leather to a lifestyle brand. Louise talks about giving back, how she found her footing, and her new venture to work with new artists and brands, especially from Denmark.Louise selects a work by P.S. Krøyer from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1233(Photographer: Eji Eustaquio)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S9E3. Søren Meibom

S9E3. Søren Meibom

2025-11-2742:42

From his home in Winchester, Massachusetts, Odense-born Danish astrophysicist, former soccer player, and artist SØREN MEIBOM came to the US in 1999 for his PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a career in professional soccer, and recalls his work on NASA's Kepler mission at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He talks about his role with the Global Curiosity Institute, and shares his vision for his third chapter fusing visual art with the language of science.Søren selects a work by Jens Søndergaard from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS4895(Photographer: Priscilla Fitzgerald)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From her home in Healdsburg, California, Hørsholm-born Danish gallerist ANNE-KATHRINE SCHJERBECK talks about the beginnings as well as latest collaborations at Gallery Lulo that merges craft with art and design with a Danish minimalist sensibility. She recalls growing up in Kenya and Zambia where her parents were diplomats, how she felt affinity with the African-American community when she lived in New Orleans, and how climate change post-Katrina brought her out west.Anne-Kathrine selects a work by Vilhelm Hammershøi from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3696(Photographer: Amy Debonis)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From the research facilities of Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen-born, Lexington, Massachusetts-based Danish scientist and senior vice president JACOB STEN PETERSEN talks about his 35-year career working in developing drugs to support patients with serious chronic diseases, and his 25-year long work and personal investment in finding a cure for diabetes. Jacob further shares his thoughts on the cultures between Denmark and the US regarding the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare system.Jacob selects a work by Per Kirkeby from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8278(Photographer: Greg M. Cooper)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S8E10. Marie Brock

S8E10. Marie Brock

2025-10-3041:28

Fredensborg-born, West Hollywood, Los Angeles-based Danish actress, voiceover artist, and writer MARIE BROCK talks about a creative life in the entertainment industry that is characteristically self-motivating. Marie recalls her path to LA via New York and London, and shares her deep experience in voice work and her passion for developing dimensional characters. And she introduces her latest writing project, a Nordic Noir tv crime drama that speaks to her two worlds, Denmark and America.Marie talks about the Matisse: The Red Studio exhibition at SMK.https://www.smk.dk/en/exhibition/henri-matisse-the-red-studio/(Photographer: Zadran Wali)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S8E9. Marie Foegh

S8E9. Marie Foegh

2025-10-2339:46

From her new apartment in Miami, Florida, Sønderborg-born and recent New Yorker Danish scientist and gynecologist MARIE FOEGH shares her research findings on hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. With clinics in both New York and Copenhagen, Marie talks about her six-decade-long path in medicine, most of which based in the US, and the different attitudes on women's health over the years both in Denmark and the US.Marie selects a work by Amedeo Modigliani from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSr145(Photographer: Danielle Richards)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
Vesterbro-born and Beachwood Canyon, Los Angeles-based Danish tv and film colorist FREDERIK BOKKENHEUSER recalls his path from Denmark to LA as a drummer in 2007. He talks about the creative and technical aspects of his work at Picture Shop, the diversity of projects he encounters, the evolving post-production technological landscape, and the thrill in working alongside directors, directors of photography, producers. Lastly, as a Dodgers fan, he discusses his passion for baseball.Frederik selects a work by C.A. Jensen from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS7660(Photographer: Thomas Hjorth)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From the renovated Gensler offices in Downtown Los Angeles, Århus-born Danish architect MICHAEL MØLLER PEDERSEN recalls his plan to move to LA with his wife in 2005 for a ten-year trial period. 20 years later, as project architect and technical director, he discusses architecture as a focus on the human experience, the role of sustainability, what makes a good architect, his appetite for large, complex projects, and the topic of heritage as a Dane living in the US raising his young daughter.Michael selects a work by Vilhelm Hammershøi from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3696(Photographer: Ryan Gobuty)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From Bloomberg Originals in Midtown Manhattan, Horsens-born, Brooklyn-based Emmy-nominated Danish documentary director and producer SARAH HOLM JOHANSEN describes Season 4 of her series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller that garnered 29 Emmy nominations and 4 wins. Sarah recalls the start of her career in investigative journalism in New York on 60 Minutes, and traveling the world as a freelancer. And she revisits Denmark through the lens of her New York life and work.Sarah selects a work attributed to Adam de Coster from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSsp810(Photographer: Lizzie Sullivan)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From his Nørlum office in Viborg, South Korea-born Danish animation producer and studio CEO CLAUS TOKSVIG KJÆR recalls how the trajectory of his company changed upon the Oscar nomination of his hand-drawn, animated feature film Song of the Sea (2014). Claus has traveled to Los Angeles for over 50 times, and talks about the US mindset necessary in his work. He describes his latest project Dante, the new creative direction for Nørlum, and his decision to prioritize what's valuable in life.Claus selects a work by Søren Henrik Petersen from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/Kks13868f----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S8E4. Louise Rosager

S8E4. Louise Rosager

2025-09-1840:07

Gentofte-born and Santa Monica, Los Angeles-based Danish creative coach and dream tender LOUISE ROSAGER describes her multilayered approach working with writers, actors, and artists using their own dreams as a new language for their storytelling and creative expression. Louise also talks about how her love for Shakespeare brought her to the US over 20 years ago, and revisits the tv series about young Shakespeare entitled Will (2017), which she conceived and served as executive producer.Louise selects a work by Oluf Hartmann from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS10756(Photographer: Aliana Turkel)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S8E3. Jan Gehl

S8E3. Jan Gehl

2025-09-1159:06

From his home studio in Copenhagen, Copenhagen-born Danish architect and urban planner JAN GEHL recalls the start of his 65-year-long career focused on people and public life in cities, beginning with Copenhagen. Jan highlights his writings that changed mindsets and his transformation of international cities that became people-centered, and credits like-minded city planners and politicians. In particular, he talks about his 2007–9 work in New York City with the Bloomberg administration.Jan selects a work by Hans Scherfig from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS2016-2(Photographer: Kåre Gade)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S8E2. Sebastian Perez

S8E2. Sebastian Perez

2025-09-0439:55

From his apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York, Gentofte-born Danish-Spanish-Brazilian restaurateur SEBASTIAN PEREZ recalls growing up in Copenhagen until he was six, and moving to New York at 13. Having opened his fourth location in East Williamsburg, Sebastian reflects on the early bootstrapping days of Smør, created with his partner and fellow Dane, Sebastian Bangsgaard, and his vision of providing approachable Danish/Scandinavian food to New Yorkers.Sebastian selects a work by Wolfgang Tillmans from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS1996-66/33(Photographer: Paul Quitoriano)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, from his home in the Garden District of New Orleans, Holbæk-born Danish tenor saxophonist and composer CHRISTIAN WINTHER recalls moving to "The Big Easy" in 1997 to play with and learn from some of his jazz idols. Staying true to the birthplace of American jazz and also continually innovating, Christian talks about performing on the stages of the iconic Preservation Hall and Snug Harbor, recording in New York, and traveling the world to play.Christian selects a work by P.S. Krøyer from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1834(Photographer: Richard Thompson)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From her home studio in the West Village in Manhattan, New York-born American-Danish theater and voice actress VANESSA JOHANSSON reflects on growing up American with a Danish architect-father from Copenhagen. Vanessa talks about her work with the Scandinavian American Theater Company, with its mission to bring cutting edge work by contemporary Scandinavian playwrights to American audiences. And she talks about the creative and academic sides to voice acting and abstract painting.Vanessa selects a work by Richard Mortensen from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS6467(Photographer: Jeff Mosier)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
S7E9. Kenneth Vinther

S7E9. Kenneth Vinther

2025-08-0738:01

From his home in Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Hobro-born Danish professional rider and horse trainer and abstract painter KENNETH VINTHER reflects on moving to California via Germany in his 20s, and on his career competing with and educating show jumping horses. He highlights his best horse, a Holsteiner named Colicchio, once the best in class on the US west coast, and the difference of riding between Denmark and the US — the former as an everyday sport, the latter as an elite one.Kenneth selects a work by Asger Jorn from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS9104(Photographer: Zac Taylor)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
From his home in Silkeborg, Aalborg-born Danish whisky maker and co-founder of Stauning Whisky ALEX HØJRUP MUNCH talks about the award-winning New World premium rye whisky. He shares the joy of introducing Stauning to Americans, and reflects on the challenges breaking into the US market, and the effects of evolving tariff policies. On the business that began with nine founders on the Danish west coast focusing on rye, a Danish grain, Alex discusses working with friends and staying local.Alex selects the building of the National Gallery of Denmark.https://www.smk.dk/en/section/about-smk/?modal=9(Photographer: Katrine Brønd)----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst
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