THE STORY OF THE FLENSTED MOBILE CENTRE
In 1954 Christian and Grethe Flensted created their first mobile, the Danish
Luck Storks (FM-1 still in production today, over fifty years later), to
celebrate the baptism of their daughter Mette. In 1956 Christian Flensted
gave up his job to devote all his effort to the fledgling mobiles business,
then based in Aalborg, Jutland. By 1971, production had grown so much that
new premises were needed and the business moved back to the home island of Funen and founded “The Stork’s Nest” in Tommerup and stayed here for
about 20 years and then moved to the old school building “Frederiksminde”
near Brenderup, Funen, which is still the FLENSTED MOBILE CENTRE.
Here the family often welcomes agents and wholesaler in their guest apartments.
Outlets
Originally Flensted mobiles were sold in bookshops and craft centres. Today,
they are sold predominantly through museum and gallery gift outlets,
contemporary furniture and design stores and children’s shops, and enjoy an
international success. In Denmark, the mobiles are sold in Illums Bolighus
Airport, Tivoli and many museums (e.g. all the larger mobiles can be seen at
Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. The company is part owner of ARTIUM,
a Scandinavian Design shop located in central Copenhagen.
Agents and wholesalers
The mobiles are sold worldwide. We have agents and wholesalers all over the
world.
Flensted News
Twice a year we publish a newsletter which is sent out to all registered
retailers. You can register as a member of the Flensted Club and
automatically receive Flensted News.
Exhibitions
Over the years Flensted mobiles have been shown in many prominent
exhibitions across Europe: at Charlottenborg, Copenhagen; at the United
Nations in Geneva; and at the Bern Ornaris Selection, a retrospective expo
at the Filosofgangen in Odense. They were for sale during the Calder
exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the
Picasso/Braque/Miro/Kandinsky/ Calder exhibition at the Meisterwerke aus dem
Guggenheim Musen in the Kunsthalle of Hamburg.
Flensted Mobiles in films.
Over the years the mobiles have featured in films, TV commercials and
magazine advertisements. The most high-profile example was “Who is afraid of
Virginia Wolf”, in which the mobile FM-5R Flowing Rhythm was shown in the
bedroom of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
Mobiles at auction
We have seen three of our mobiles on auction on one of Denmark’s leading
internet auctions. The strange thing was that all three were still in
production but the price of a second-hand mobile was almost four times
higher than a new one!
Personalia
Ole, the founders son, and his wife Aase, officially took over the company
in 1982. Christian Flensted passed away in December 1994, but his wife
Grethe still lives in Odense.
Design and Manufacture
All Flensted mobiles are hand-made in Denmark, and offer high quality at a
moderate price. Elements are assembled and packed by about 50 skilled
home-workers and their families. Many of the original Flensted mobiles are
still in production, but the contemporary designs are now the bestsellers.
Ole Flensted is the chief designer, but for introducing new ideas often
works in conjunction with artists. Ole is currently engaged in a series of
large-scale mobiles. This project allows the design and supply of mobiles
for special purposes: for use as one-off pieces for large spaces, or in
large quantities for use as corporate gifts or as Christmas and New Year
greetings. Many of our standard mobiles are well-suited as commercial
presents and act as constant “visiting cards” for the sender.
Corporate Mobiles
Flensted Mobiles has made corporate gifts for many companies, including:
Färg International: FM-27 sail boats with the company's logo on the sails;
Avery Etiquettes: FM-72 Puffing Troll was used as a gift for customers;
T.N.O.(Dutch medical company): FM-8 and FM-62 printed with its logo;
ERCO SHIFFFART (German): FM-18 Viking Ships used as gifts;
PERLE TOBAK: specially-designed mobile;
ATLAS: FM-68 Veteran Viking printed with logo used as gift;
Michelin: special mobile designed for 100th anniversary;
Microsoft: special mobile for launching a new program.
Mobiles for museums and galleries:
Flensted Mobiles has also collaborated with public museums and galleries on
special mobiles, including:
Tate Modern: for the late Sir Terry Frost, FM-426;
Guggenheim New York: FM-417;
Bauhaus Mobile: FM-426;
FluxusMobile : FM-428
Guggenheim NY for their 60the anniversary in development. 8/2008
Bon mots
"Flensted mobiles are visual poems"
"Beautiful creations – whimsical creatures
"it is always a delight to watch the mobile [Symphony] I have hanging in my living room. It’s like a crisp thought, a fresh breeze hanging in silence.”
“Looking at a mobile and becoming conscious that something very quiet is moving harmonically and it makes you feel calm.”
A man in hospital said: “the therapeutic effect helped me.”
“I looked for the perfect gift for a friend going through a tough time. I wanted a gift that would make her HAPPY – I looked for books, stuffed animal, candies, flowers and all sorts of gifts to cheer her up . Then I came across the mobiles and thought, this is it”.
A mobile is the jewellery of a room.
We are impressed by your innovative design.
The mobiles are beautiful, humorous and reflect a more modern approach to accessories for the nursery and children's room.
Thank you for the FLIGHTS OF FANCY
I watch the mobiles spinning and listen to music
Your mobiles are awesome and awesomely wonderful
Thanks for putting a little smile on my face this afternoon
What fine, interpretative art you bring to the world of whispering winds - nothing more soothing than watching the mobiles dance in the wind, creating beautiful imagery and intricate design.
What captivated me about the mobiles was the mathematics/physics involved behind the mobiles.
A customer visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s residence Taliesin in Wisconsin :
“the mobiles complemented the simple lines of the furniture and
surroundings. I was absolutely mesmerized by the effect and thrilled to find
it on sale in the museum store.”
Contemporary Mobiles
Flensted Mobiles are modern yet timeless, often abstract, brightly coloured
and unaffected by fashion, qualities which enable them to hang and give
inspiration for many years.
Flensted Mobiles’ popularity is confirmed by enthusiastic letters from all
over the world.
Our constant aim is for Flensted Mobiles to continue to inspire people of all ages.
Music to www.flenstedmodern.com. Our
daughter, Kit Flensted, often performs her beautiful music, see:
www.myspace.com/kitflensted
FLENSTED MOBILES APS
Brovej 6
DK-5464 Brenderup
Tel: +45 6444 1688
Fax: +45 6444 1880
www.flensted-mobiles.com
www.flenstedmodern.com
Director: Send e-mail to Ole Flensted
Sales: Send e-mail to Aase Flensted
Office/orders: Send e-mail to Lone
Agencies and wholesalers: see the websites.