The exhibitions was on display, February 15–december 11, 2019, at Bromma Stockholm Airport.

These are exciting times for the design world. New technology is creating new opportunities and major challenges. This exhibition showcased products by Swedish designers in the fields of digital communication and manufacturing and sustainable design.

In cooperation with Swedavia

Thanks to digital technology, not only can we communicate with the things we use daily, but they can communicate with us. For instance, the cycle can warn other road users if the cyclist has to brake hard, or transmit its geographical location if the wearer is unconscious.

Technology for three-dimensional printing is creating the opportunity to radically reduce the transport of goods and the associated environmental impact. A guitar designed on a computer and printed on a 3D printer shows the potential of this technology. Perhaps in future we shall be able to buy a digital file for a coffee maker or a mobile phone and have it printed at the supermarket.

Crossing Borders - Smart Design was previously shown on Stockholm Arlanda Airport, summer 2017. Photo: Anna Danielsson/Nationalmuseum

Cord. The Power Aware Cord, from RISE Interactive/Poweraware AB.

Bahco Ergo Handsaw System by Bahco Sna Europe.

Guitar Atom in 3D-printed nylon by Olaf Diegel. Photo: Olaf Diegel

POC and fourth, cycle helmet by POC Sports.

Energy Aware Clock by RISE Interactive.

Hilda Nilsson, vases in 3D-printed porcelain. Foto: Hilda Nilsson

Girl with Peepoo and Kiti. Peepoo single-use toilet by Anders Wilhelmsson, Peter Thuvander, Camilla Wirseen. Photo: Maria Berndtsson/Peepoole

New research coupled with lean design may reduce the burden on the earth’s natural resources. A smart power cord reminds the user of how much more electricity is needed to power a hairdryer than to charge a mobile phone. A special bag helps reduce the spread of cholera in densely populated areas with no sanitation. An enzyme inside the bag quickly breaks down excrement and turns it into manure.

This exhibition is part of a programme by Nationalmuseum and Swedavia to showcase art and design at Swedish airports. In 2014 an exhibition featuring photographic portraits of famous Swedes appeared at Arlanda and later went on tour to other Swedavia airports in Sweden.

Crossing Borders – Smart Design was presented at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, June 28–September 30, 2017, at Göteborg Landvetter Airport, September 29, 2017 – January 31, 2018, at Malmö Airport, February 8–May 30, 2018 and at Umeå Airport, June 15 juni–September 30, 2018.

Nationalmuseum in Stockholm has Sweden’s largest collection of applied art, design and industrial design, comprising 30,000 artefacts and ranging from the 14th century to the present day.