Danish Originals

From The Royal Danish Theatre, Dallas-born, Detroit-raised, and Copenhagen-based American-Danish ballet dancer HOLLY DORGER recalls arriving in Denmark 18 years ago at age 18 to join The Royal Danish Ballet, where she subsequently was promoted from corps de ballet to soloist and principal dancer. Holly explains her at times bumpy and lonely road as an American creative in Denmark, her connection to her audiences via social media, and being knighted at age 26 by HM Queen Margrethe.
Holly selects a work by an unknown artist from the SMK collection.
https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS993
(Photographer: Samantha Zauscher)
This conversation occurred on October 20, 2025.
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We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:
website: https://danishoriginals.com/
email: [email protected]
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And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst

From his home in Washington DC, Ravnsnæs-born Danish counselor of science and innovation TORBEN ORLA NIELSEN explains his new role with the Danish Embassy tracking the political framework of the US research environment as it impacts Danish research. Following seven years in Boston's Innovation Centre Denmark, Torben, a diplomat, navigates the evolving US research priorities and funding in order to assist US collaborations with Danish universities and companies.
Torben selects a work by an unknown artist from the SMK collection.
https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKSgb44667
(Private photograph)
This conversation occurred on October 17, 2025.
----------
We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:
website: https://danishoriginals.com/
email: [email protected]
----------
And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst

From her home in Valby, Copenhagen, Elsinore-born Danish denim and jeans designer CHRISTINE DETLEFSEN finds her inspiration from the vintage world while combining sustainable and responsible innovations in fiber, fabric, and washing. Trained at Levi's, Christine recalls the years working in New York and Los Angeles, and executive producing a documentary about the unique cultural history of jeans. And she walks through how denim design requires an artistic and engineering mindset equally.
Christine selects a work by Wolfgang Tillman from the SMK collection.
https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KKS1996-66/32
(Private photograph)
This conversation occurred on October 13, 2025.
----------
We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:
website: https://danishoriginals.com/
email: [email protected]
----------
And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst

From her home in Klampenborg, Copenhagen, Central Zealand-born Danish curator, art advisor, and founder / director of ART 2030 LUISE FAURSCHOU talks about the non-profit's projects in New York City and at the UN Headquarters. With a strong belief that art changes people and people change the world, she describes a 40-year career in art that culminates in collaborations with artists, galleries, and museums to champion the art sector to help envision an interconnected and sustainable future.
Luise selects a work by Tomas Saraceno from the SMK collection.
https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8613
(Photograph Source: Tine Harden. Courtesy of ART 2030)
This conversation occurred on October 6, 2025.
----------
We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:
website: https://danishoriginals.com/
email: [email protected]
----------
And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst

From his home office in Nordhavn, Brønshoj-born Danish tech entrepreneur, author, podcaster, investor, and racing driver DAVID HEINEMEIER HANSSON talks about his recent move back home after the fires in Los Angeles. David recalls his start of 37 Signals, his company that developed Ruby on Rails and Basecamp, and he shares his pursuit of flow, his life philosophy in Stoicism, and his thoughts on entrepreneurship, business, media, and the cultural landscapes of the US vs. Denmark.
David selects a work by El Greco from the SMK collection.
https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMSsp146
(Photograph Source: David Heinemeier Hansson)
This conversation occurred on September 12, 2025.
----------
We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:
website: https://danishoriginals.com/
email: [email protected]
----------
And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst