From June 18 to 20, as part of the prestigious 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen, there will be a Ukrainian group exhibition titled “Material Resistance: Ukrainian Design in Action.”
The initiative is organized by Ukraine House in Denmark in cooperation with the Ukrainian Materials Library, the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Makers, and the design fair Material Matters (London).
"Ukrainian design nowadays is a response to reality—where materials define possibilities. In a time of upheaval, designers and artisans work with what is available: natural resources, traditional crafts, and recycled materials. Much like matter resisting pressure and destruction, Ukrainian design today is shaped by resilience, and every material becomes much more than just a resource—it carries cultural identity and tells the story of resistance, endurance and transformation," writes the organisers.
Brands presented at the exhibition:
ALMA MRAMOR — a company working with natural stone, particularly Ukrainian granites, sandstones, and labradorite, constantly exploring the depth of the material through precise processing and modern design. At the exhibition, they present stone samples and treatment options, as well as candle holders created in collaboration with designer Max Voytenko and a sculptural table made together with Dmytro Davydovsky.
YourFoRest – a Ukrainian brand specializing in panels and furniture made from natural wood. The company focuses deeply on understanding the material, exploring its texture, warmth, and aesthetics. At the exhibition, it showcases samples of Ukrainian wood and a new collection of functional furniture.
DUB ™ – a furniture brand working with wood and its derivatives, combining natural texture with modern design and functionality. The new collection stands out for its minimalist aesthetics, precise proportions, and smart construction created for interiors where the material matters.
Furn Object – a Ukrainian furniture and decor brand offering handmade products that combine individuality, emotion, and timeless craftsmanship. At the exhibition, they present objects of functional art made from metal.
FOST – since 1998, the company has been working with stainless steel and CorTen steel, transforming Ukrainian metal into exquisite designer objects and bringing to life the boldest dreams of designers and architects.
YALANZHI OBJECTS – not only reinterprets cultural images but creates new archetypes that address critical and spatial needs of our time. The workshop continuously experiments with materials, working with both traditional materials and original developments. Among them are the bio-composite ZEMLETSVIT based on cellulose and light-diffusing materials derived from mushrooms.
Buro150 specializes in working with wood — and all that it can become. From raw material to form, each stage is a careful dialogue between the craftsman and the material. The studio follows a philosophy of honest, thoughtful design: restrained, durable, and truly well made.
RE:QUIET – a Ukrainian brand of acoustic solutions that combines design and eco-friendliness. The exhibition features lamps, panels, and partitions made from recycled plastic.
Ryntovt Design – not just furniture production but a life philosophy embodied in material form. Everything, from concept to realization, is created with respect for nature and people. The company works with wood, earth, metal, sand, and clay.
Maven Group – a company aiming to create interior items that stand out not only for high quality and thoughtful design but also bring joy to their owners for many years. At the exhibition, they will present a new collection of soft furniture in decors created in collaboration with artisan Levada Upcycle.
Kassone Workshop – a Ukrainian studio and production workshop that for more than ten years has combined craft traditions with modern design approaches. The studio’s work is based on deep respect for manual labor, material experimentation, and sustainable production. The company will present a collection of lamps created using material reuse methodology. The collection emphasizes that design can be both exquisite and responsible, combining innovation with eco-consciousness.
AMAZE objects – rooted in interdisciplinary practice, the brand explores the aesthetics and ethics of modern life through the prism of sustainability — not only in materials but throughout the entire life cycle of an object. Experiments with ceramics will be featured at the exhibition.
Guculiya – a textile and ceramics brand emerging from the depths of Ukrainian ethnic heritage. At the exhibition, it showcases a unique ceramic technique from the Hutsul region of Western Ukraine.
Clayp – a design studio specializing in handmade bio-composites. The exhibition will feature bio-composite lamps with various bio-additives and finishes.
Cegla Studios – a brand combining modern design with traditional crafts, creating unique decor and interior items. Founded by fashion designer Maria Khitcher, who rethinks fabric scraps from clothing production and embodies her ideas in material reuse.
DevoHome – a manufacturer of hemp textiles and the world’s first inventor of hemp fur — an eco-friendly alternative to animal and synthetic fur. They present the latest collection of home textiles.
SVITANOK – a studio for custom solutions focused on combining art, design, and fashion through scale transformation. Each form can be presented at various scales: as a lighting or decor object, or as a jewelry piece. They present products made from mouth-blown glass.
The curators of the exhibition are design historian Larysa Tsybina and architect Anait Danielyan. In their statement, they emphasize the importance of cultural dialogue within the country:
“For the fourth year in a row, we have been actively presenting Ukrainian design on global stages and believe it is essential, above all, to showcase creativity and craftsmanship at home. That is why at the end of May, we are organizing a preview of the exhibition in Kyiv — at the Mlyn Design Hub space. This is important so that the Ukrainian community can see the exhibition first. The preview in Kyiv is not only a sign of respect for the local audience but also a way to root contemporary Ukrainian design in its own cultural soil before it travels the world.”
- Copenhagen, Gammel Dok, Strandgade 27b
- June 18-20
