Nobel Creations 2024 at the Nobel Prize Museum
December 07, 2024

Free interpretations of this year's Nobel Prize

In the Nobel Creations project, students in year 1 of the fashion program create free interpretations of the Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace, as well as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

The creations explore what unites Nobel Laureates, artists and creators: creativity - the courage to think in new ways, to dare to question established theories and innovative combinations of insights from different fields.

The creations also put a new spin on gala wear, showing how special occasions, celebration and dignity can be expressed through fashion design.

Fashion photo by Carl Bengtsson

This year's six creations have been photographed at Millesgården by fashion and portrait photographer Carl Bengtsson. 

Fred - "The Crane" interpreted by Clara Samor, Edit Hulting and Theo Sternehäll

The 2024 Peace Prize is awarded to the Japanese grassroots movement Nihon Hidankyo for their work towards a nuclear-free world.
"We are inspired by how Nihon Hidankyo raises the voices of 'ordinary people' and brings a meaningful message to the public, both locally and internationally. We have explored traditional Japanese craft techniques and focused on material manipulation in the creation of this creation. It consists of a nuno rope dress and a cotton top that alludes to folded paper. The dress is a symbol of the people's movement - roots growing from the ground and spreading a message. The roots meet the folded paper, an abstract interpretation of the origami crane, an international symbol of peace. In the spirit of Nihon Hidankyo, the work aims to highlight and actualize a historical event for the present."

Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel - "Authority and Movement" interpreted by Nadja Olsson and Luis Brunet

The 2024 Economics Prize is awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson for their research on how institutions affect the prosperity of nations.

"We contrast power, strength and authority with warmth, life and joy. Our creation reflects the future world where positive change is taking place within institutions and hence economic growth. An opaque structure with a shapely, powerful and rigid silhouette represents the power of institutions, which is contrasted with a colourful and vibrant spiral symbolizing people moving towards a life free from poverty. The floating mask represents anonymity, a collective of power and a common desire for freedom."

Nobel Prize in Medicine - "Codice Vita" interpreted by John Ölén and Jacob Borgenstierna Ploski

This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of the fundamental principle of the role of microRNAs in gene regulation.

"We have chosen to honor this small assembly of microRNA molecules by transforming its comb-like structure into a sweeping organza ribbon, whose transparent resin covering hugs the bodice in an organic motion. To further emphasize the microRNA's structure, product design and movement, we have chosen to work in a monochromatic color scheme. To give the creation more depth, we created panels of pleated silk organza, as a tribute to DNA and its well-known double helix.''

Nobel Prize in Physics - "Associations Connected by Memories" interpreted by Emil Biering and Mia Ekström

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton "for fundamental discoveries and inventions enabling machine learning with artificial neural networks".

"Our creation is a controlled organic network, with a minimalist background inspired by the connections of neurons and the complex structure of AI. From head to foot, neurons run in vibrant colors symbolizing innovation and the future. Light reflections from beads signal the journey of energy through the nervous system. It creates a rhythm that makes the eye follow the patterns on the wearer's body. Through our intricate craftsmanship, history, science and aesthetics come together in a unique celebration of human creativity and technological progress. A celebration of the interplay of humanity and science, where every layer of our creation breathes the beauty of the neuron and the power of AI."

Nobel Prize in Literature - "The Hidden in the Color of Sorrow" interpreted by Adrian Musa and Johannes Söderbäck Kirksaether

This year's Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to the controversial and experimental Korean writer Han Kang. In her poetic and contemporary prose, she exposes human vulnerability, historical trauma and the boundary between body and soul.

"The drape holds the body as if in a grip of silence, where the contour of the hand appears in relief and pain. The sleeve is wrapped like a straitjacket around the torso. Hidden in the shadows between the folds are Han Kang's texts; a whispered pleating of memories that are never really allowed to appear in the light, but always feel present in the hidden. The emptiness of loss and the trauma of history's wars reveal the fragility of the human being, portrayed as burnt cavities and broken seams. Contrasts that break the stillness of the sterile idiom inspired by the symbolism of grief in the white color."

Nobel Prize in Chemistry - "The Chemical Building Block of Life" interpreted by Alvaro Sanchez and Jane Elliotte Svahn

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is about proteins and is awarded to three laureates. David Baker for computer-based protein design. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for protein structure prediction.

"Our interpretation of the Chemistry Prize involves following the path of amino acids to become proteins, the building blocks of life. 20 different amino acids are combined in different ways into strings of beads that are twisted and folded into proteins. We have designed this by creating our own beads of organza in a duller color scale with elements of burgundy, cobalt, gold, amber, black and cream. The beads undergo a transformation where they turn into long spiral bands. Pleated silk organza draped over the front and back of the dress represents the folding of amino acids into proteins. Mounted on an asymmetrical spiral that circles the body, the string of beads guides the viewer through the creation of proteins." 

Opening hours of the exhibition

The exhibition will be on display at the Nobel Prize Museum, Stortorget 2 in Old Town between December 7 - January 7, 2025 and between February 15 - March 2, 2025 (the museum is closed Jan 8 - Feb 14 due to water damage).
See the museum's opening hours here.

Program Manager, Fashion: Pär Engsheden
Course Coordinator: Sandra Backlund, Assistant Professor