• Home
  • Little Story
    • Learning How To's
    • Monday Muse
    • Chocolate Milk for Adults
    • Adventure Album
    • mood of the month
  • Contact
    • written work
    • design work
    • photography
    • resumé
Menu

Fijord

the attempted pronunciation of a foreign word
  • Home
  • Little Story
  • Handbook for New Adults
    • Learning How To's
    • Monday Muse
    • Chocolate Milk for Adults
    • Adventure Album
    • mood of the month
  • Contact
  • portfolio
    • written work
    • design work
    • photography
    • resumé

Every Monday I will share with you something or someone that is inspiring, be it a piece of music, an artist, a fashion trend, a TV show or film, a piece of furniture, a time era, a nice building, a role model, some nature, a book, the inside of a house, or maybe even just Some ordinary person that is much more extraordinary than you'd think.


Featured
freedom
Feb 18, 2019
freedom
Feb 18, 2019
Feb 18, 2019
cryin'
Feb 11, 2019
cryin'
Feb 11, 2019
Feb 11, 2019
ode to animal print
Feb 4, 2019
ode to animal print
Feb 4, 2019
Feb 4, 2019
disney in the 90's part 2
Jan 28, 2019
disney in the 90's part 2
Jan 28, 2019
Jan 28, 2019
disney in the 90's part 1
Jan 21, 2019
disney in the 90's part 1
Jan 21, 2019
Jan 21, 2019
digimon and pokémon
Jan 14, 2019
digimon and pokémon
Jan 14, 2019
Jan 14, 2019
supermodels
Jan 7, 2019
supermodels
Jan 7, 2019
Jan 7, 2019
new year, like me
Dec 31, 2018
new year, like me
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2018
all i want for christmas is you
Dec 24, 2018
all i want for christmas is you
Dec 24, 2018
Dec 24, 2018
bubblegum
Dec 18, 2018
bubblegum
Dec 18, 2018
Dec 18, 2018
Monday Muse RSS

studio arhoj

July 24, 2017

Some of the most inspiring individuals get to where they are thanks to a strong work ethic and sense of commitment. For this reason, I've chosen to explore the theme of practice, in every sense of the word. Naturally, one looks at the word and considers their piano lessons as a child with the hackneyed phrase "practice makes perfect" on repeat in their mind. But it's a clever word, both a noun and a verb, that I attribute to the idea of a focus. 


I'll introduce the theme with my interview with Anders Arhoj and his practice of pottery. Anders is the owner of the interior and design studio,

 

Located in Islands Brygge, it's both a studio and design shop filled with the work and designs by Anders. Entering the shop, you're greeted by collections of the most complimenting colours and the peeping eyes of ghosts. You may be familiar with his most iconic creation, the Ghost, which came about by the influence of Japanese character design while partaking in a creative experiment with another ceramicist.  Before long, it was scouted by HAY and helped launch Anders' mass success. 

 

Prior to this, Anders had spent a year abroad in Japan, studying and also working as a graphic designer, when he fell in love with Japanese ceramics. Although he is back in Denmark and based here, he still has a strong connection to the country, evident in the style of many of his designs and why Japanese tourists who come to Copenhagen tag Studio Arhoj as of much as an attraction as the Little Mermaid.


Often I'm able to see slight similarities in the minimalist concepts that both Danish design and Japanese design share, but when asking Anders how he would define the difference between the two, he answers:

"Danish porcelain tends to be very clean and very industrial. Where in Japan, the ceramics have a more rustic feel and appearance." 


I look at some of his products that could be an example of the statement above. While some have very smooth and glossy finishes, the occasional cup or bowl will be matte and have speckles, lines or discoloured patches, imperfections that could perhaps resemble a stone wall or pavement. 

 

The process involved in making the ceramics is both experimental and traditional. Skilled potters work with varying types of clay at the throwing wheel while porcelains are made in specific plaster moulds. They use large kilns for drying and a glaze made of finely ground mills and chalk. 


IMG_1283.jpg IMG_1298.jpg IMG_1287.jpg IMG_1295.jpg IMG_1290.jpg IMG_1308.jpg

"A potter is essentially an efficient human machine. It's very technical but that's what it is about craft. You need to put in the effort and have the skill to work on the craft," Anders explains.


What is particularly special about Studio Arhoj is the space invites all ideas, errors and accidental creativities. Since the items are not mass produced, each product can be so unique. Sometimes, in the complicated glazing process, it will drip off the ceramic, but it gives it a rather interesting look, which Anders regularly keeps. And despite the fact that maybe 10% of what they make crumbles or cracks, the potters at the studio are creative enough and keen to work with the challenge of any mistake. 

 

Witnessing Anders in his studio, he seems very much in his element. It's an organic environment for him - a wide open space like a canvas for his ideas. 


Visit Studio Arhoj
Follow Studio Arhoj on Instagram

In art Tags mondaymuse, monday, muse, porcelain, ceramic, pottery, studioarhoj, japan, denmark, danishdesign, japanesedesign, ghosts, copenhagen, andersarhoj, art, clay, colours, design, homedecor, kitchenware, craft
← repetitiongiants →
  • music
    • Feb 18, 2019 freedom
    • Feb 11, 2019 cryin'
    • Dec 24, 2018 all i want for christmas is you
    • Dec 10, 2018 waterfalls
    • Nov 19, 2018 don't call me popcorn
    • Aug 20, 2018 poetry jazz cafe
    • Aug 13, 2018 rhye
    • Jul 17, 2018 jazz and fish
    • Jun 18, 2018 clean sheets
    • Jun 11, 2018 erik satie
    • Apr 16, 2018 copenhagen street concert
    • Mar 6, 2018 charlotte day wilson
    • Aug 21, 2017 you are here
    • Jul 3, 2017 birthday song
    • Jun 19, 2017 spanish guitar solo
    • Jun 5, 2017 alt-j
    • Apr 17, 2017 nostalgic pop culture
    • Jan 23, 2017 70's music
    • Dec 5, 2016 childish gambino
    • Nov 28, 2016 orchestra
  • fashion
    • Feb 4, 2019 ode to animal print
    • Jan 7, 2019 supermodels
    • Nov 26, 2018 clueless
    • Oct 23, 2017 bonnie & clyde
    • May 8, 2017 lara part two
    • Apr 17, 2017 nostalgic pop culture
    • Mar 13, 2017 thrift planet
    • Feb 27, 2017 kind
    • Feb 20, 2017 beve
    • Feb 13, 2017 lara intimates
    • Jan 9, 2017 70's fashion
  • history
    • Feb 4, 2019 ode to animal print
    • Jan 28, 2019 disney in the 90's part 2
    • Jan 21, 2019 disney in the 90's part 1
    • Jan 22, 2018 mad men
    • Dec 18, 2017 bohemianism
  • film
    • Jan 28, 2019 disney in the 90's part 2
    • Jan 21, 2019 disney in the 90's part 1
    • Nov 26, 2018 clueless
    • Nov 19, 2018 don't call me popcorn
    • Mar 26, 2018 three billboards outside ebbing, missouri
    • Jan 22, 2018 mad men
    • Oct 23, 2017 bonnie & clyde
    • Aug 14, 2017 top spin
    • Apr 17, 2017 nostalgic pop culture
    • Apr 3, 2017 only yesterday
  • media
    • Jan 28, 2019 disney in the 90's part 2
    • Jan 7, 2019 supermodels
    • Nov 19, 2018 don't call me popcorn
    • Nov 12, 2018 welcome to the 90's
    • Oct 15, 2018 capsule98
    • Jun 18, 2018 clean sheets
    • Oct 23, 2017 bonnie & clyde
  • art
    • Jan 7, 2019 supermodels
    • Sep 10, 2018 moca
    • Jul 23, 2018 brookfield place
    • Apr 30, 2018 elizabeth
    • Mar 19, 2018 graffiti
    • Jan 29, 2018 wilma
    • Jan 22, 2018 mad men
    • Jan 16, 2018 culture in copenhagen
    • Jan 8, 2018 aarhus
    • Dec 18, 2017 bohemianism
    • Dec 11, 2017 søren kierkegaard
    • Dec 4, 2017 henri matisse
    • Nov 27, 2017 devlin
    • Nov 6, 2017 air and light and time and space
    • Aug 21, 2017 you are here
    • Jul 24, 2017 studio arhoj
    • Jul 17, 2017 giants
    • May 29, 2017 pjerrot
    • Feb 27, 2017 kind
    • Dec 26, 2016 the danish girl
    • Dec 19, 2016 your black horizon
    • Oct 31, 2016 late night affirmation
  • lifestyle
    • Jan 7, 2019 supermodels
    • Dec 31, 2018 new year, like me
    • Dec 3, 2018 how I remember the 90's
    • Jul 2, 2018 new room
    • Jun 25, 2018 shavasana
    • Jun 18, 2018 clean sheets
    • Jun 4, 2018 spring cleaning
    • May 29, 2018 by the water
    • May 21, 2018 spring liver
    • May 14, 2018 weeds
    • May 7, 2018 de-tox
    • Apr 9, 2018 oranges
    • Feb 26, 2018 for dziadek
    • Jan 8, 2018 aarhus
    • Jan 1, 2018 resolutions 2
    • Dec 18, 2017 bohemianism
    • Nov 20, 2017 gentrification
    • Nov 13, 2017 the bare tree
    • Oct 30, 2017 incubation
    • Oct 9, 2017 thanksgiving
    • Sep 18, 2017 transit
    • Sep 11, 2017 change
    • Sep 4, 2017 goodbyes
    • Aug 28, 2017 jesús
    • Jul 31, 2017 repetition
    • May 22, 2017 traditionalist millennial
    • May 1, 2017 george
    • Apr 17, 2017 nostalgic pop culture
    • Apr 10, 2017 haircuts by mom
    • Mar 27, 2017 freja
    • Mar 20, 2017 winter bath
    • Mar 6, 2017 shinrin-yoku
    • Feb 6, 2017 simone
    • Jan 30, 2017 70's icons
    • Jan 2, 2017 resolutions
  • photography
    • Jan 7, 2019 supermodels
    • Dec 3, 2018 how I remember the 90's
    • Sep 3, 2018 king street
    • Apr 23, 2018 the wave
    • Apr 9, 2018 oranges
    • Apr 2, 2018 møns klint
    • Feb 5, 2018 winter canvas
    • Nov 27, 2017 devlin
    • Oct 16, 2017 falling
    • Jul 10, 2017 sunset collection
  • holiday
    • Dec 24, 2018 all i want for christmas is you
    • Jan 1, 2018 resolutions 2
    • Dec 25, 2017 snow
    • Oct 9, 2017 thanksgiving
    • Jul 3, 2017 birthday song
    • May 15, 2017 holidays
  • design
    • Dec 18, 2018 bubblegum
    • Nov 19, 2018 don't call me popcorn
    • Sep 3, 2018 king street
    • Jul 23, 2018 brookfield place
    • Jul 2, 2018 new room
    • Apr 9, 2018 oranges
    • Dec 11, 2017 søren kierkegaard
    • Oct 2, 2017 edit
    • Feb 27, 2017 kind
    • Jan 16, 2017 70's decor
  • food
    • Nov 5, 2018 toronto coffee shops
    • Oct 22, 2018 toronto's best cookie
    • Sep 24, 2018 toronto's best sushi
    • Aug 7, 2017 chocolate chip cookie
  • travel
    • Nov 5, 2018 toronto coffee shops
    • Oct 8, 2018 hoods in toronto part 2
    • Oct 2, 2018 hoods in toronto part 1
    • Sep 17, 2018 the bentway
    • Sep 3, 2018 king street
    • Aug 20, 2018 poetry jazz cafe
    • Aug 6, 2018 toronto islands
    • Jul 30, 2018 city skyline
    • Jul 23, 2018 brookfield place
    • Jul 17, 2018 jazz and fish
    • Jul 9, 2018 toronto
    • Apr 23, 2018 the wave
    • Apr 16, 2018 copenhagen street concert
    • Apr 2, 2018 møns klint
    • Jan 8, 2018 aarhus
    • Nov 20, 2017 gentrification
    • Oct 30, 2017 incubation
    • Jul 17, 2017 giants
    • Jul 10, 2017 sunset collection
    • Jun 19, 2017 spanish guitar solo
    • Nov 21, 2016 jul i tivoli
  • dialogue
    • Oct 15, 2018 capsule98
    • May 14, 2018 weeds
    • Apr 9, 2018 oranges
    • Feb 26, 2018 for dziadek
    • Dec 11, 2017 søren kierkegaard
    • Nov 6, 2017 air and light and time and space
  • nature
    • Aug 6, 2018 toronto islands
    • May 29, 2018 by the water
    • May 14, 2018 weeds
    • Apr 23, 2018 the wave
    • Apr 2, 2018 møns klint
    • Feb 5, 2018 winter canvas
  • relaxation
    • Aug 6, 2018 toronto islands
    • Jul 30, 2018 city skyline
    • Jun 25, 2018 shavasana
    • Jun 18, 2018 clean sheets
    • May 29, 2018 by the water
    • Mar 27, 2017 freja
    • Mar 20, 2017 winter bath
    • Mar 6, 2017 shinrin-yoku
  • book
    • Mar 12, 2018 the wind-up bird chronicle
    • Dec 11, 2017 søren kierkegaard
    • Apr 24, 2017 archie comics
  • dance
    • Feb 20, 2018 tessa & scott
    • Jan 29, 2018 wilma
    • Sep 25, 2017 duet
    • Aug 28, 2017 jesús
    • Aug 21, 2017 you are here
    • Jun 26, 2017 henrik
    • Jun 12, 2017 tommy
    • May 29, 2017 pjerrot
    • Nov 14, 2016 make new of the old
  • sport
    • Feb 20, 2018 tessa & scott
    • Aug 14, 2017 top spin
  • beauty
    • Dec 12, 2016 masks

Hey! You!

Sign up for a cheeky email from me every now and then

Don't worry - your secrets are safe with me.

Thanks yo!