Kvindesmedien
The women's workshop in Christiania is one of those places where craftsmanship, art and ideals of freedom merge into something truly special. In the middle of this colourful free town environment lies a former military workshop that today buzzes with creativity, inspiration and grand visions.
In one of the old military workshops in Christiania lies Kvindesmedien, where the light from the welding sparks mixes with the smell of hot steel and oil. The workshop was founded here in 1997 by Dorte Eilenberger, Gitte Christensen and Charlotte Steen as a striking female counterpoint to a traditionally male profession. Today, blacksmith artist Charlotte Steen is in charge of both design and production.
Kvindesmedien works primarily in steel, often combined with wood, stone, glass and mirrors, and the result is Nordic minimalist design with a raw edge that fits perfectly with Christiania's unique atmosphere. Here, everything from New York walls, kitchens and tables to custom-made display cabinets and church art is created.
Art is woven into the DNA of the workshop. Light globes for churches, sculptures, candlesticks and awards have found their way into exhibitions and television, and Kvindesmedien has supplied awards for major shows. When you step into the showroom at Mælkevejen 83, you will find both finished works and sketches for new ideas, and apprentices can often be seen working side by side with experienced blacksmiths in the vibrant production environment.
On social media, they share glimpses of everyday life in the smithy, from large special projects to small details such as a new candlestick or plant boxes for communal paths. Together, this paints a picture of a workshop that is both deeply rooted in the history of Christiania and at the same time supplies modern Danish design to the rest of the country.