A destination for curious people In the heart of Älmhult is the IKEA Museum, which tells the story not only of the famous home furnishing company, but also of Sweden’s journey into modern times. New at the museum this spring are not-to-miss exhibitions Look Music and Sustain Able Voices. By Malin Norman | Photos: © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2020
“We welcome everyone to the IKEA Museum,” says Cecilia Johansson, manager at IKEA Museum. “At IKEA, we have always been curious about life at home, and we know that many are curious about us and our story, too. So, we wanted to create a meeting place where people can find out about our roots and how we work.” The museum is located in what was the very first IKEA store from 1958 in Älmhult, and the building has been restored to its original form according to drawings by architect Claes Knutson. The 72 | Issue 134 | March 2020
main exhibition shows the story of IKEA, as well as the life and achievements of founder Ingvar Kamprad and the development of the region of Småland. The museum gives behind-the-scenes peeks at how the IKEA range is created through IKEA Democratic Design principles and how it shapes ways of working. Visitors can also see a broader aspect of what IKEA is curious about and where the company is going.
Music and young design IKEA Museum hosts a number of temporary exhibitions too: for instance, the
recent EveryBody, about inclusive design and how society needs to adapt to everyone for a good home environment. Currently showing is Look Music, until 3 May, which presents IKEA’s relationship with music and its impact on the product range. Music fills the home with life and brings people together, and in this exhibition, visitors can experience music like never before. “We share some old gems such as spin discs from the 1970s, but we also look into the future of innovative listening in IKEA SYMFONISK,” says Anna Sandberg Falk, curator at IKEA Museum. Later this spring, the museum will present Sustain Able Voices in a collaboration with the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design. The exhibition shows award- winning, young Swedish designers from 2004 to 2020 in areas such as interior design, furniture, product design and