KONTRAPUNKT

For four decades, Kontrapunkt has left a distinctive mark on Denmark. Rooted in classical design craftsmanship, the agency has shaped brands and transformed communications for, among others, banks, ministries, and museums. Their work influences the public sphere with respect for culture and context, where each solution balances heritage and renewal. In this exhibition, we encounter an agency whose practice contributes to designing Denmark—and whose influence today extends far beyond the country’s borders.

Seven cases, four decades, one practice

The hexagon on the DSB S-train, the pharmacy “a” on the façade, and TV2’s circle on the screen are all familiar brands encountered daily by Danes and have become part of our shared visual culture. But how do you create a brand or visual identity that people remember and that stands the test of time? In a world saturated with brands competing for attention, standing out has become a goal in itself. The LABORATORIUM exhibition presents seven cases from Kontrapunkt’s four decades of practice. They range from government institutions and infrastructure to sports and business, from the royal to the everyday. The seven cases are diverse, yet all express the same conviction: that visual identity is not decoration, but evidence of something real.

Insight into a distinct design philosophy

The exhibition, Kontrapunkt’s first museum exhibition, offers a fascinating insight into how the agency works and the processes behind the development of the selected brand identities. Curiosity and a respectful understanding of culture and context are core principles in their practice. In Kontrapunkt’s view, the strongest identities rarely emerge from scratch—it is about building on something that already exists, whether it is a symbol with 150 years of history, a letterform from Renaissance apothecary glass, or the lions of a city.

Fourth LABORATORIUM exhibition

The LABORATORIUM series consists of temporary special exhibitions that spotlight innovative and exemplary design of our time. At the same time, the exhibitions provide a rare insight into the design process—from the initial idea to the finished result. The series presents both established, renowned designers and new, emerging talents who, through vision and experimentation, help shape the design of the future.

LABORATORIUM Kontrapunkt, on view from 12 June to 18 October 2026, is the fourth exhibition in the series.