https://astridvagner.com Astrid Vagner Thomsen Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:06:35 +0000 https://astridvagner.com en https://astridvagner.com/Astrid-Vagner-Thomsen Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:22:25 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/Astrid-Vagner-Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/about Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:22:25 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/about <img width="4160" height="4160" width_o="4160" height_o="4160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c1cc5ab8696dd2c5ce71f57475627c16523b896a918f479aaa73a414523dc19/AstridVagner.JPG" data-mid="240321299" border="0" data-scale="75" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2c1cc5ab8696dd2c5ce71f57475627c16523b896a918f479aaa73a414523dc19/AstridVagner.JPG" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Astrid Vagner (1999) an interdisciplinary designer and researcher from Denmark, invites you to a room where there is space for everyone, it’s a room full of fun, sex and gender entanglements. In here, objects that you thought you had a clear perception of, have suddenly changed for the uncanny. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Approaching craft as a form of storytelling, she works through acts of misquotation, translating familiar references into new material forms. This process of reshaping becomes a way to unsettle culturally embedded narratives and reveal how they are continuously constructed. Through curatorial and narrative framing, her work proposes more attentive ways of relating to the stories that shape us. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It all started with clay! Astrid Vagner found her initial interest with design, when she started making ceramic sculptures in 2017. Since then, she has tried to refine her craft, which led her to the exchange program SPACE ARITA, Saga University, and had the privilege of learning porcelain craftsmanship from the best. As an artist, she has a huge interest in traditional ceramic production methods. As a designer, she wonders how these can be challenged to accompany modern culture and technological advancements. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/contact Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:35:24 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/contact Curious to know more? Get in contact! astrid.vth(a)hotmail.com@astridvagner https://astridvagner.com/World-s-Best-Mug Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:52:54 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/World-s-Best-Mug <img width="599" height="735" width_o="599" height_o="735" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/15915639cef361c98c975351196d0c3b579ce60090b6a63e82c03f273734b335/femke_reijerman_medium.jpg" data-mid="240327610" border="0" data-scale="87" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/599/i/15915639cef361c98c975351196d0c3b579ce60090b6a63e82c03f273734b335/femke_reijerman_medium.jpg" /> <img width="4608" height="3456" width_o="4608" height_o="3456" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8068fabaace880f04885604e6fdfc243cb0ca0e3fb0d701e194528c0ceb7da1f/P7111594edit.JPG" data-mid="240328018" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8068fabaace880f04885604e6fdfc243cb0ca0e3fb0d701e194528c0ceb7da1f/P7111594edit.JPG" /> BA Graduation Project 2025 World’s Best Mug &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A familiar object becomes the subject of questioning in this exploration of the mug — what it is, what it represents and how language shapes our engagement with it. Beginning from a resistance to creating something ‘new’, Astrid Vagner Thomsen challenges how we justify design in a world full of objects. The work unpicks the relationship between familiarity and individuality, questioning how we express ourselves beyond the limits of preconception.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; In the monotonous corporate office, where uniformity reigns, the mug become a rare tool of personal expression. Using the basic cylinder-and-handle as a base, ‘World’s Best Mug’ is a series of self-proclaimed mugs that play with recognition and expectation. Some handles lack function; others distort familiar references. Influenced by social constructivism, the project suggests that shared definitions shape meaning and limit possibility. Through text, form and context, it reflects on how language frames objects, and how objects reflect our values.left image by Femke Reijerman, Design Academy Eindhoven 2025 &nbsp; &nbsp; <img width="3884" height="2913" width_o="3884" height_o="2913" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f4f426291dd91cb6d13dff93c7058dcd3d0dc93abc611a4b1b1be04cd32389f2/AstridVagner_Thomsen_WORLDSBESTMUG.JPG" data-mid="241914391" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f4f426291dd91cb6d13dff93c7058dcd3d0dc93abc611a4b1b1be04cd32389f2/AstridVagner_Thomsen_WORLDSBESTMUG.JPG" /> <img width="4608" height="3456" width_o="4608" height_o="3456" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4e7ddd2087df8600e29869949b216c56f029a7d8d1870967c2f1ecb6efa8a6d3/frontpageedit_1.JPG" data-mid="241914541" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4e7ddd2087df8600e29869949b216c56f029a7d8d1870967c2f1ecb6efa8a6d3/frontpageedit_1.JPG" /> <img width="4608" height="3456" width_o="4608" height_o="3456" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2a1f89dec7318a306854ba67f8de4c55fb5ebc151245ffaf79bc48daf772c5c1/frontpageedit.JPG" data-mid="241914707" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2a1f89dec7318a306854ba67f8de4c55fb5ebc151245ffaf79bc48daf772c5c1/frontpageedit.JPG" /> https://astridvagner.com/Unnecessary-Necessities Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:59:31 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/Unnecessary-Necessities <img width="3572" height="2760" width_o="3572" height_o="2760" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed3cfa505a5f46f34a6a28d7f176847c03101bbb67b9730c6b1cc7dc19f092a7/_MG_6664edit.JPG" data-mid="240329845" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ed3cfa505a5f46f34a6a28d7f176847c03101bbb67b9730c6b1cc7dc19f092a7/_MG_6664edit.JPG" /> <img width="3538" height="2359" width_o="3538" height_o="2359" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/96c5b009100bd06ac2022ddcf00fb96ada376147afdd1aaed6c7c58de7458fe8/_MG_6628edit.JPG" data-mid="240329848" border="0" data-scale="81" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/96c5b009100bd06ac2022ddcf00fb96ada376147afdd1aaed6c7c58de7458fe8/_MG_6628edit.JPG" /> SPACE ARITA exchange program 2024Unnecessary/Necessities Unnecessary was the first word I had to describe these animated friendly faces I would meet everywhere I went in Japan. Every day objects such as road work fences or manhole covers, are shamelessly animated by warm welcoming characters. Then came the realisation that these gestures are a necessity. Through Field Work around Arita, exploring centuries of traditional Arita ware, I was struck by the many types of containers, such as the comprador bottle. A symbol of the porcelain trade between The Netherlands and Japan. These bottles are the embodiment of the adaptability of the Japanese artisans catering to European tastes. Highlighting the ongoing cultural and economic exchange for the past 400 years. <img width="2334" height="1751" width_o="2334" height_o="1751" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7169b629046ab42c9a45d7733703177366ee7e0cd18eb07a75c56ee45ba2eb50/package_im01-1.png" data-mid="245566947" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7169b629046ab42c9a45d7733703177366ee7e0cd18eb07a75c56ee45ba2eb50/package_im01-1.png" />comprador bottles, kikkoman.com &nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="3024" height="2394" width_o="3024" height_o="2394" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/26a0e39b23ab70c67119650651c4ebf4c8a2921a667b2b86db7a12223ced79c0/IMG_5982.JPG" data-mid="245567044" border="0" data-scale="94" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/26a0e39b23ab70c67119650651c4ebf4c8a2921a667b2b86db7a12223ced79c0/IMG_5982.JPG" />&nbsp; &nbsp;roadwork fence (Saga, Japan) Inspired by Japan’s joyful, everyday personifications and ritualised beauty, this ceramic exploration aims to revive an appreciation for ornament and detail in modern life, coming from a culture where decorations have been deemed “unnecessary”. By integrating the industrial imprints of single-use plastics, I grasp for the last traces of ornamentation. A reminder of the beauty lost, in the pursuit of pure efficiency. SPACE ARITA exchange program, Saga University, Arita, Japan&nbsp; October 2024 &gt; February 2025 Exhibited:Currently at Arita Campus, Saga University Otsu-2441-1 Ono, Arita, Saga 844-0012, Japan18-26th of October DDW 2025 HOW&amp;WOW Crafts Council Nederland De Fabriek, Baarsstraat 38, 5615 RG Eindhoven <img width="3456" height="5184" width_o="3456" height_o="5184" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a767cce9f0224d91adf131455c1c565012ea9abf7bc01142ab274f17875016a9/_MG_6652edit.JPG" data-mid="241914952" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a767cce9f0224d91adf131455c1c565012ea9abf7bc01142ab274f17875016a9/_MG_6652edit.JPG" /> <img width="3456" height="5184" width_o="3456" height_o="5184" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7be78b94304ffd2d715d263e3d9b76f4eff9f73db49ed361799fa516721ae738/_MG_6657edit.JPG" data-mid="241914958" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7be78b94304ffd2d715d263e3d9b76f4eff9f73db49ed361799fa516721ae738/_MG_6657edit.JPG" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/Mitsuya-Cider Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:59:34 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/Mitsuya-Cider <img width="5184" height="3456" width_o="5184" height_o="3456" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0622a0e852c2adbd4c81324c031838c1fa146a2c9a508ed72b73f5b6573e9fb4/_MG_6722.png" data-mid="240330280" border="0" data-scale="100" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0622a0e852c2adbd4c81324c031838c1fa146a2c9a508ed72b73f5b6573e9fb4/_MG_6722.png" /> <img width="3814" height="2979" width_o="3814" height_o="2979" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/579147291f19d6c5777e1726df3f942852c828147f66c228b9748034ec20fa32/6866_edited.JPG" data-mid="240330287" border="0" data-scale="60" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/579147291f19d6c5777e1726df3f942852c828147f66c228b9748034ec20fa32/6866_edited.JPG" /> SPACE ARITA, exchange program 2024Mitsuya Cider &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;A pouring vessel made for Akane-san, a student at the BA in porcelain design Saga University, Arita Campus. Inspired by the carbonated drink Mitsuya Cider, bubbly and fresh, Akane-san’s favourite and her love for sharing this with her family. The jug and collection of stackable cups represent a playfulness found in winter landscapes and spending quality time with loved ones.&nbsp; Course Model and Mould making II - Taught by Miki-sensei&nbsp;SPACE ARITA exchange program, Saga University, Arita, Japan&nbsp; October 2024 &gt; February 2025 Material Amakusa porcelain, white transparent glaze, tenmoku glaze&nbsp; <img width="2278" height="1627" width_o="2278" height_o="1627" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7207a1f9e6995ac5e0b72f82012768bc058157602d14f5bd3c808c7b46895ef6/_MG_6798edit.JPG" data-mid="241915011" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7207a1f9e6995ac5e0b72f82012768bc058157602d14f5bd3c808c7b46895ef6/_MG_6798edit.JPG" /> <img width="4870" height="3247" width_o="4870" height_o="3247" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7785cbda235667c5a073ece20ed125224fd2520311da4dea58d957ede0716b79/_MG_6810edit.JPG" data-mid="241915015" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7785cbda235667c5a073ece20ed125224fd2520311da4dea58d957ede0716b79/_MG_6810edit.JPG" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/MAKE-ME-FIT Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:26:11 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/MAKE-ME-FIT <img width="960" height="1280" width_o="960" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/16ee16a4a48aebd90b6cf70b2d17840b186454a8d1681d5075dd5ab24db7313e/DEA-2024-557-Large.jpeg" data-mid="240334210" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/16ee16a4a48aebd90b6cf70b2d17840b186454a8d1681d5075dd5ab24db7313e/DEA-2024-557-Large.jpeg" /> <img width="905" height="1280" width_o="905" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f37442ea8caed7522bac62977d79592dc51ecf00f0e5e1d153465fe983f2078a/DEA-2024-533-Large.jpeg" data-mid="240334214" border="0" data-scale="94" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/905/i/f37442ea8caed7522bac62977d79592dc51ecf00f0e5e1d153465fe983f2078a/DEA-2024-533-Large.jpeg" /> <img width="226" height="320" width_o="226" height_o="320" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/807023d536faa04c20b57f2fb35e6783e70f83e210b961b8594a2b7dc65adea3/DEA-2024-542-Small.jpeg" data-mid="240334225" border="0" data-scale="94" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/226/i/807023d536faa04c20b57f2fb35e6783e70f83e210b961b8594a2b7dc65adea3/DEA-2024-542-Small.jpeg" /> Studio Body Building, semester project (BA)MAKE ME FIT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; One day I decided that my feet weren’t going to grow any bigger. I think I must have been around 12 or 13.&nbsp; Growing up with body parts that didnt fit into anything girly, particularly reflected in the limited selection of feminine shoes. I started to patch myself up in feminine attributes.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Research publication on the standardisatoin of mass production in conjunction with the cis- heteronormative matrix - materialized as feminized men’s shoes.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="2550" height="4200" width_o="2550" height_o="4200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fe840843b89aa4d521e927b849c63c13103df0003d5e34391c7260fe3e95d675/Scan-6.png" data-mid="245570395" border="0" data-scale="38" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fe840843b89aa4d521e927b849c63c13103df0003d5e34391c7260fe3e95d675/Scan-6.png" /> &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Image series in collaboration with Scheltens &amp; Abbenes Semester project, supported by RAW COLOR Body Building 3A 2024, Design Academy Eindhoven&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/gloryholecircus Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:04:11 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/gloryholecircus <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/345c6a69bd50e1dd55a4e14bc5fbd254e56a45baafd8d8ca9cbe64dfff1d51e5/finalexposure.jpg" data-mid="240411461" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/345c6a69bd50e1dd55a4e14bc5fbd254e56a45baafd8d8ca9cbe64dfff1d51e5/finalexposure.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp; I am you are the messenger, semester project (BA)Glory Hole Circus &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Typeface and publication based around the discovery of a virtual tour in a Glory Hole Cinema while on the lookout for an apartment in Brussels. This resulted in a research into the relationship between public and private, taking a look at brothels around Germany, the decriminalisation of sex work, and how to conduct a safer space event.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The publication is a postcard-sized pocket book with 6 chapters, taking you on a tour of the glory hole cinema, offering a peak at 3 private bedrooms from the publication “frauenzimmer” by Patric Fouad, visiting curious neighbours from behind their blinds, and introducing you to The Red Van, an organisation offering safety, dignity and health to streetbased sex workers in Copenhagen. Fundamentals 2B 2024 Typeface used as website identity.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/queering-ravelry Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:06:35 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/queering-ravelry <img width="1190" height="841" width_o="1190" height_o="841" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b6c969d8ffc8ee7f6030db05153692da454925406cef3f2e0d51f157a8ed6dcc/heartharnessinsta.jpg" data-mid="240362531" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b6c969d8ffc8ee7f6030db05153692da454925406cef3f2e0d51f157a8ed6dcc/heartharnessinsta.jpg" /> <img width="1190" height="841" width_o="1190" height_o="841" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0f5a68fc817eda3374b3d84d77b8a79f4a85872729c9f06b84eef52ad9284165/chestharnessinsta.jpg" data-mid="240362532" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0f5a68fc817eda3374b3d84d77b8a79f4a85872729c9f06b84eef52ad9284165/chestharnessinsta.jpg" /> <img width="1190" height="841" width_o="1190" height_o="841" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7e2cfbf95d78972833851c717c15066f9b367b709341871b9aca6d458a0416a3/legharnessinsta.jpg" data-mid="240362533" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7e2cfbf95d78972833851c717c15066f9b367b709341871b9aca6d458a0416a3/legharnessinsta.jpg" /> Fascinations, semester project (BA)Queering Ravelry &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Leathermen are icons of cultural masculinity, an image of dangerous rebelliousness, and in the 1950’s it was exactly that image, which turned motorcycle clubs into sanctuarys for gay men not wanting to be perceived as effeminate.Knitting used to be for everyone, until the industrialisation of textile production made hand-knitting seen as an amateur feminine pursuit to be followed safely from within the cage of domesticity.&nbsp; &nbsp;The knitted harnesses are not meant to be a direct undoing of gender, but more a misquotation of the norm of the leather harness as we know them from the images by Tom of Finland, to emphasize how gender norms are linked to how we as inviduals choose to perform them, and work as a recognition of gender as a social construct.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Accompanying the harnesses is a research book telling the story of knitting and how it has been used to send powerful messages through time, visiting people like Danish knit rebel Lærke Bagger and the character Sarah Lund from the tv-hit “Forbrydelsen” whose sweater became more recognizeable than the character herself. And lastly, the Leatherman, and how they moved into popular cuture.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Fundamentals 2A 2023, Design Academy Eindhoven Exhibition 18-20th of January 2023, Fascinations exhibition Microstad, Professor Doctor Dorgelolaan 2, 5611BA Eindhoven&nbsp; E &nbsp; &nbsp; https://astridvagner.com/aarsgaang Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:04:07 +0000 Astrid Vagner Thomsen https://astridvagner.com/aarsgaang &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img width="2000" height="2000" width_o="2000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/453fd941fdff4098265408be75811a9bf4cfbd40ac39f442182cc40824a72c4f/ARSGANG-copy.png" data-mid="240342253" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/453fd941fdff4098265408be75811a9bf4cfbd40ac39f442182cc40824a72c4f/ARSGANG-copy.png" />