LABORATORIUM Kim Buck

Designmuseum Danmark’s LABORATORIUM series invites visitors behind the scenes and into the creative process of a designer or craftsperson. In the fifth exhibition in the series, goldsmith Kim Buck, one of the most prominent figures in Danish contemporary jewellery, opens the doors to his artistic laboratory. Through more than 150 works, visitors are offered a rare insight into over four decades of experimentation with the form, function and meaning of jewellery.

What is jewellery, and what can it tell us about ourselves and the world we live in? These are questions that Danish goldsmith Kim Buck (born 1957) has explored for more than four decades. Since beginning his apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1979, Kim Buck has developed a distinctive artistic language that combines technical precision, experimental techniques, humour and social commentary. His work has earned him recognition as a leading figure in both Danish and international contemporary jewellery. On 13 November, Designmuseum Danmark, located on Bredgade in the heart of Copenhagen, opens a new exhibition exploring the ideas and creative impulses that have shaped Kim Buck’s practice over the decades. The exhibition brings together an array of works from different periods of his career, placing them in dialogue with entirely new pieces created especially for this presentation.

Curiosity as a driving force
Doubt and curiosity are fundamental driving forces in Kim Buck’s work. He devotes considerable time to experimenting with and refining new techniques, creating jewellery that pushes the boundaries of both craftsmanship and materials. Language also plays a central role in his artistic process. Kim Buck explains:

“The titles of my works can serve as inspiration, a starting point and a key to understanding my jewellery. I play with proverbs and familiar expressions – linguistic quirks that I like to twist slightly to spark new thoughts, both for myself and the viewer. It is only when the title, form and technique come together that a piece of jewellery takes shape. Similarly, I might come up with an idea for a technique without knowing what it can do until the right title emerges, as was the case with the Puffed Up series. Everything changes character when it becomes inflated – both objects and people.”

Jewellery at the intersection of art and design
For Kim Buck, craftsmanship is the foundation of everything he creates. At the same time, he continually challenges traditions, exploring what jewellery can be, what it means and how we use it. His work occupies the space between art, design and traditional goldsmithing. Throughout his career, Kim Buck has achieved significant international recognition, and his works are held in the collections of institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. He has also received numerous awards and honours, including a lifelong honorary grant from the Danish Arts Foundation and the Inga and Ejvind Kold Christensen Honorary Award.

LABORATORIUM Kim Buck will be the most comprehensive presentation of Kim Buck’s work to date. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover a wealth of captivating, witty and surprising pieces of jewellery, alongside several interactive works that invite them to explore and engage for themselves.

The exhibition will be on display at Designmuseum Danmark from 13 November 2026 to 9 May 2027.

LABORATORIUM Kim Buck is supported by:

The Danish Arts Foundation
The New Carlsberg Foundation
The Danish Central Bank’s Anniversary Foundation
The L. F. Foght Foundation
The Copenhagen Goldsmiths’ Guild