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Scandinavian grace, Abba museum for Virtual embassy kids visit Ribe, Denmark Brooklyn, NY Stockholm ridden city . A witness to the police brutality Sweden and its Foreign Minister Carl Bildt recently Over a century before the advent of the “social journalism” and the miserable conditions, Riis resolves to make The elegant and airy boutique Scandinavian Grace A museum dedicated to pop sensation Abba moved opened the first “diplomatic representation” in the a difference. The novelty of flash powder allows which helped launch tv-personalities like Anderson Cooper, has opened its doors to the hipsters and yuppies in virtual reality of web-based Second Life, a fantasy him to become one of the first American journalists closer to reality after the museum’s organizers said Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Owner Fredrik Larsson, a world inhabited by computer-generated residents. Danish-born Jacob A. Riis made a difference to New York’s to take photographs in the dark of night, capturing they found a location in the heart of Stockholm, Fashion Institute of Technology alum, has a passion “The Second House of Sweden, the world’s first poor and underprivileged. the life of the poor. Sweden. The museum, scheduled to open in the for Scandinavian design, especially when it comes to virtual embassy in Second Life,” said the innovative 1888 . Riis collaborates with an organization spring of 2009, will be housed in a former customs tabletop- and dinnerware, but he also offers an array Director General of the Swedish Institute, Olle of Episcopalian church women, the Daughters of office. Exhibits on three floors would present the Located in the in Queens, n.y. celebrations in Rebild was fine, but hanging out of gifts, toys, and accessories. A pea green car in wood Wästberg, who came up with the idea. the King, to establish what is eventually called the story of the all-time, third most successful musical is the Jacob A. Riis Settlement, established in 1889. with their Danish counterparts was the best part of from Playsam (an interesting and colorful desk acces- The virtual embassy instructs visitors how to Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House. (The act behind the Beatles and Elvis. Museum develop- Although no flags herald its origins, the Settlement the trip. Said Iftikhar: sory as well as a toy for a child), an Almedahl kitchen obtain passports or visas in the real world and acts Settlement House movement had begun in England ers said the facility would feature interactive was created by a Dane, Jacob Riis (1849-1914), who “We stayed up till late at night just talking.” towel with prints from the 1950’s or a Ship’s lamp as a link to web-based information about Sweden. in the late 1800’s when wealthy university students displays and multimedia technology, rather than immigrated to New York in 1870. Riis, who wanted “I met some Danish rappers who were very good. anybody? Scandinavian Grace features brand names Second Life, created by San Francisco technology would go and settle among the poor and work to enclosed cases. Plans also call for a replica of the to make a difference in the lives of the less fortu- Now we’ve helped them create a page at My Space such as Normann Copenhagen, Stelton, and Iittala. change their conditions.) group’s one-time recording studio Polar Studios, company Linden Lab, has attracted several real- nate, created the Settlement House to offer the for their music,” Denver said. “I am into music “I used to work as an interior designer,” Larsson, 1889 . Scribner’s Magazine publishes a photo where visitors can record their versions of Abba world companies, including car manufacturers and less-well-to-do sewing classes, health clubs, and production, and I was happy to meet kids over there who came to New York fourteen years ago, says, “I essay by Riis on city life. tunes. Plans to open the museum were announced sports clothing makers, which created 3-d stores. summer camps. He was one of the first muckraking who shared my interest.” worked many different places, and a lot with 1890 . Riis’ book is in November by Ulf Westman, who, with his wife, According to the Second Life Web site, in May this journalists, documenting the dire conditions of the For William Newlin, the Executive Director of kitchen design. With Ann Ljungberg I opened Just published. , then-Commissioner owns the company behind the project. year there were 6,491,898 residents in its alterna- poor. In 1890 his photojournalistic opus How the the Jacob A. Riis Settlement, the journey was also Scandinavian a couple of years ago. But then I of Police, closes down all police-run poor houses “The new site is right in the middle of the city, tive reality. Other Half Lives: Studies Among the of a success. wanted to do something myself. I felt strongly for after having read Riis’ book. The two men become and easily accessible from ferries, buses and the New York, was published. In time, the Settlement “It was a unique experience for me personally,” Williamsburg, and I knew what I wanted and I had to life-long friends, and Roosevelt refers to Riis as subway,” Westman said. The Stockholm City Council broadened its scope of activities, and today the he said. “But most rewarding was to get the kids have my favorite brand, the Finnish Iittala.” “the best American I ever knew.” would rent the building. center, a non-profit organization, offers compre- over there – it was a big deal. They experienced Scandinavian design owes its unique durability to 1897 . The Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement hensive services to families in the Western Queens something I never did as a kid. Seeing our kids functionality and simplicity, says Larsson. An effort- House moves into its first home at 48 Henry Street. community, aiding them in reaching their greatest interact on a daily basis with their host families less change in the color of a bowl, will take the look 1907 . Riis moves to a farm in Barre, potential and achieving social and economic self- was the hallmark, definitely among the top-ten from weekday to party. Massachusetts. sufficiency. highlights in the Jacob A. Riis Settlement’s history.” “Let’s say you do all white during the week,” 1914 . Riis dies at his farm. Thanks to the efforts of its Chairman C. This summer, a group of kids from Ribe will visit Larsson says. “Then if you want it a bit more festive, 1940’s – 1950’s . The Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Flemming Heilmann, the Settlement House is today the Settlement in Queens. you just add this turquoise bowl. That’s another very Settlement House begins offering programs establishing a bridge between Queens and Riis’ “We will show them what city life is like!” said Scandinavian concept, that everything works together for residents of public housing developments in hometown, Ribe, Denmark. Denver about the prospect of having his Danish and you can mix it all up and it still looks good.” Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. The original Last year, six kids from the Settlement visited friends come over. There is actually quite a lot of color in Settlement House is sold and in 1950, the Jacob Ribe. For one week these inner-city teens were “Yeah, and we’ll take them to Coney Island!” Scandinavian design, especially when it comes to A. Riis Settlement House moves all its activities to faced with the quaint cobble-stoned streets and said Kelci. kitchenware. But it’s never overpowering. And with its current address at the Queensbridge Houses in half-timbered houses of Denmark’s oldest town A contemporary of, and greatly influenced by, Scandinavian Grace’s background of whitewashed City, Queens. (with 9,000 inhabitants). Nordic Reach asked three the reporting of while himself in walls and bare, hardwood floors, colors, even bold 1996 . The Danish Consul General of New York, of them, 17-year old Kelci Koonce, 17-year old turn inspiring journalist and novelist Jack London ones, aren’t offensive to the eye. The simple center Hans Grunnet, learns of the Riis Settlement and its Denver Fuller, and 18-year old Iftikhar Mahmud Riis crowned a career as police reporter by publish- table is set with bright blue Iittala glass. The shelves founder’s Danish connection, and takes an interest. about their experiences from the trip. ing “How the other half lives” (1890)-the report, are full of little things you want to pick up and look He asks Danish businessman C. Flemming Heilmann “The week went by much too fast,” said Iftikhar. a pioneering photojournalistic work, became a at, like the small set of cheese knives with wooden to join the Settlement’s Board. As Chairman, “Yeah, and we bonded with everybody!” landmark work for social reformers of the day. handles from Sagaform. Heilmann plays a major role in the Settlement’s Denver added. Then-Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt “That’s actually my best seller,” says Larsson. fundraising and creates a link between the youth “I felt so close to my Danish host family,” said Kelci. mentioned Riis as “the most useful citizen of New “Everyone likes it.” at the Settlement House and the children in Riis’ “I didn’t want to leave.” York”. His reporting predated much of the muckrak- Larsson recently purchased the space next hometown Ribe, Denmark. With the Danish con- What surprised them the most about Denmark ing journalism so favored by magazines such as The door, tore down the wall and made his store bigger. nection re-established, HRH Princess Benedikte of was the miniscule size of Ribe (“you could practi- Independent, McClure’s or the Cosmopolitan of the The second room currently acts as a gallery full of Denmark becomes a patron and visits the Jacob A. cally bike right through it in ten minutes!”), the fact early 20th century. Swedish photographer Annika Sundvik’s works, and Riis Neighborhood Settlement House whenever she that Danes speak English fluently, and that they even though Larsson likes the idea of presenting is in New York. consume a whole lot of potatoes. These eye-open- jacob a. riis timeline Scandinavian art, he also has other plans. 2006 . On Heilmann’s initiative, six teens from ers aside, the kids quickly fell in love with the quaint 1849 . Jacob A. Riis is born in Ribe Denmark “People come here and ask ‘When will you sell Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House visit Danish town and its inhabitants. 1870 . Riis immigrates to the United States, furniture?’ And I will! By September I will have Fritz Ribe, Denmark. “Making friends was easy, because the kids which is struggling in social turmoil. He lodges with Hansen, Carl Hansen & Son, Asplunds…” 2007 . Eight teens from Ribe, Denmark visit the there were our age and listened to the same kind of other poor immigrants in New York, spending many Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House dur- music, and they all spoke English,” said Denver. nights in police-run poor houses. For more info, see: www.scandinaviangrace.com ing the summer. or call 718.384.7886. For a guide to some of the other A week packed with activities like museum-vis- 1873 . Riis starts a career as a police reporter for Scandinavian experiences that New York has to offer, turn to its, canoeing, a trip to Legoland, and Fourth of July a string of newspapers, often working in the crime- For more info, see www.riissettlement.org Incidental Intelligence, page 47.

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