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.

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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 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.

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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 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.

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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 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.

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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

On a visit to Los Angeles, Skagen-born, Silicon Valley-based Danish designer and creative consultant LOUISE "LULU" ESCHELMAN recalls arriving in LA on a one-way ticket. She shares the vision of her company Lumilla, founded on Danish minimalism with a laidback California sensibility, that has evolved from a luxury leather to a lifestyle brand. Louise talks about giving back, how she found her footing, and her new venture to work with new artists and brands, especially from Denmark.

Louise selects a work by P.S. Krøyer from the SMK collection.

https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS1233

(Photographer: Eji Eustaquio)

This conversation occurred on September 22, 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 Winchester, Massachusetts, Odense-born Danish astrophysicist, former soccer player, and artist SØREN MEIBOM came to the US in 1999 for his PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a career in professional soccer, and recalls his work on NASA's Kepler mission at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He talks about his role with the Global Curiosity Institute, and shares his vision for his third chapter fusing visual art with the language of science.

Søren selects a work by Jens Søndergaard from the SMK collection.

https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS4895

(Photographer: Priscilla Fitzgerald)

This conversation occurred on August 27, 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 her home in Healdsburg, California, Hørsholm-born Danish gallerist ANNE-KATHRINE SCHJERBECK talks about the beginnings as well as latest collaborations at Gallery Lulo that merges craft with art and design with a Danish minimalist sensibility. She recalls growing up in Kenya and Zambia where her parents were diplomats, how she felt affinity with the African-American community when she lived in New Orleans, and how climate change post-Katrina brought her out west.

Anne-Kathrine selects a work by Vilhelm Hammershøi from the SMK collection.

https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS3696

(Photographer: Amy Debonis)

This conversation occurred on August 11, 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 the research facilities of Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen-born, Lexington, Massachusetts-based Danish scientist and senior vice president JACOB STEN PETERSEN talks about his 35-year career working in developing drugs to support patients with serious chronic diseases, and his 25-year long work and personal investment in finding a cure for diabetes. Jacob further shares his thoughts on the cultures between Denmark and the US regarding the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare system.

Jacob selects a work by Per Kirkeby from the SMK collection.

https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS8278

(Photographer: Greg M. Cooper)

This conversation occurred on August 14, 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

Fredensborg-born, West Hollywood, Los Angeles-based Danish actress, voiceover artist, and writer MARIE BROCK talks about a creative life in the entertainment industry that is characteristically self-motivating. Marie recalls her path to LA via New York and London, and shares her deep experience in voice work and her passion for developing dimensional characters. And she introduces her latest writing project, a Nordic Noir tv crime drama that speaks to her two worlds, Denmark and America.

Marie talks about the Matisse: The Red Studio exhibition at SMK.

https://www.smk.dk/en/exhibition/henri-matisse-the-red-studio/

(Photographer: Zadran Wali)

This conversation occurred on August 13, 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