

Danish Originals
American Friends of Statens Museum of Kunst
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 10, 2025 • 36min
S7E5. Camilla Stærk
On a visit to Los Angeles to meet with Twentieth Gallery about her new creations, Bonderup-born, London-trained, New York-based Danish designer CAMILLA STÆRK speaks about her brand, STÆRK, deeply rooted in her Danish heritage and shaped by a fascination with Old Hollywood and film noir, and spanning fashion, furniture, lighting, rugs, and accessories. She also reflects on her creative partnership, Stærk & Christensen, which extends her storytelling into new collaborative dimensions.Camilla selects a work by Anne Marie Carl Nielsen from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMShm21(Photographer: Karen Collins)----------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

Jul 3, 2025 • 43min
S7E4. Kristian Thomassen
From his apartment in Greenwich Village, New York, Odense-born Danish creative marketer KRISTIAN THOMASSEN recalls leaving home immediately after high school, and experiencing a deep feeling of belonging in New York City. Kristian pays homage to his mentor in his new city, a fellow Dane, or two, and describes his fast-paced work developing campaigns for brands to reach a young demographic with a Gen Z mindset. Lastly, Kristian shares why he is a fan of Pippi Longstocking.Kristian selects a work by Michelangelo Buonarroti from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KAS2382(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

Jun 26, 2025 • 41min
S7E3. David Posey
From his Michelin-Starred restaurant Elske he co-owns with his wife Anna Posey in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, California-born Danish-American chef and restaurateur DAVID POSEY talks about his path in American fine dining that's always incorporated a Danish or Scandinavian profile. He reflects on his and his restaurant's recent roles on the popular tv series The Bear, the joy of experiencing the world through food, and the demands of running an award-winning restaurant.David selects a work by Georges Braque from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSr7(Photographer: Huge Galdones)----------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

Jun 19, 2025 • 41min
S7E2. Kristina Haslund
From her home in Bel-Air, London-born British-Danish interior designer and stylist KRISTINA HASLUND talks about her namesake Studio Haslund that blends Danish modernist style with Los Angeles' indoor-outdoor living. She retraces her roots with her Danish mother, her first career in the music industry, and how mid-century design and architecture are top reasons she calls LA home. And she explains why she has fallen in love with Palm Springs, the desert oasis just two hours east of LA.Kristina selects a work by Harald Giersing from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3871(Photographer: Adam Sheridan-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

Jun 12, 2025 • 36min
S7E1. Nikolaj Hess
From Dumbo, Brooklyn, Frederiksberg-born, Vejle-raised, Copenhagen- and New York-based Danish pianist and composer NIKOLAJ HESS gets ready for his upcoming concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Nikolaj talks about how he translates visual art to music in his project Transformative Reflections, film scoring, and his many jazz adventures, highlighting New York as a jazz capital. And he talks about improvisation, and making music with his brothers Mikkel and Emil.Nikolaj talks about the Matisse: The Red Studio exhibition at SMK.https://www.smk.dk/en/exhibition/henri-matisse-the-red-studio/(Photographer: Jill Greenberg)----------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

May 29, 2025 • 34min
S6E10. Birgitte Moos Chalcraft
From her home in Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Haderslev-born Danish-English multidisciplinary artist BIRGITTE MOOS CHALCRAFT talks about her time in Los Angeles at the start of the booming art scene in the Arts District of Downtown LA. There she was inspired by her fellow artists and the land and street art movements. Birgitte talks about her focus on the intersection of psychology and art, her interest in quantum physics, and her new project creating an age 50+ female artist group.Birgitte selects a work by Lena Adler Petersen and Bjørn Nørgaard from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS1979-152(Photographer: Helle Moos)----------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

May 22, 2025 • 45min
S6E9. Nicolai Rottbøll
In his home in Winchester outside of Boston, Aalborg-born Danish entrepreneur NICOLAI ROTTBØLL is excited about life in the US where he continues his work with international organizations on sustainability and green transition. He talks about the importance of positive thinking, his largest project Our World 2050 that calls on one million children to share their vision of our collective future, and the book he's authoring on the power of connecting and collaborating over a cup of coffee.Nicolai selects a work by P.S. Krøyer from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1658(Photographer: Aurora De Luca)----------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

May 15, 2025 • 39min
S6E8. Mus White
In her home in Studio City, Los Angeles, Christianshavn-born Danish author, collector, and gallerist MUS WHITE recalls moments from the 60 years she has lived in California, having left Denmark upon her high school graduation. She talks about starting out as a juvenile probation officer, then becoming a published author and translator, a historical photography dealer and exhibition maker along with her husband, and a recognized collector of photographically illustrated children's books. Mus selects a work by Vilhelm Hammershøi from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3696(Photographer: Stephen White)----------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

May 8, 2025 • 49min
S6E7. Søren Fleng
In Los Angeles for the Annie Awards with his nominated short film, Hans Christian Andersen's The Swineherd (2023), Viborg-based Danish producer SØREN FLENG describes how he came to the industry through Denmark's world-renowned animation school, The Animated Workshop, and the unique community of animation professionals. He gives a sneak peak on his current project with a US partner, and shares his thoughts on the power of creating content that impacts children.Søren selects a work by Henri Matisse from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS1971-93(Photographer: Kim Wendt)----------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

May 1, 2025 • 35min
S6E6. Simone Fabricius
From her home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Danish creative director SIMONE FABRICIUS reflects on having loved New York City since seeing it on the movie screen in the '80s, and moving there 15 years ago after a decade in Paris from Denmark. Simone talks about her work, which she calls "play," in brand, packaging, visual design, and illustration, and how she's particularly excited about the explosive developments and opportunities in the hospitality industry.Simone selects a work by Jacob Biltius from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSsp610(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


