Den Permanente  

H room606
...I am running low on free time, but, yes it was quite an institution and I will gladly try to formulate what my impressions were during my numerous visits...I will get back to you and Martin start the discussion...

Hello room606 and...
Hello room606 and Koen.
Actually I've just started on the most extensive book ever written about the rise and fall of Danish Modern (600 pages with wonderful illustrations and amazing stories). Though I haven't made it to Den Permanente yet.
However I do know that Den Permanente opened in 1931 as a combined showroom/salesroom showing the new functionalistic tendencies reg. interior decoration, however mainly furniture. It was a censured exhibition which favoured this growing movement and it turned out great for the many hopeful and eager students of Kaare Klint at the newly established school, Kunstakademiets Møbelskole (1924) + the school for arts and crafs, Kunsthåndværkerskolen (1931), where many of Klint's students were hired as teachers. Sales were slow to begin with, though after the war it really began to pick up speed.
I can't remember when it closed or whether it was always based at the same location (Bredgade in Copenhagen). I hope my book can clear things up more for me as Den Permanente sounds like a wonderful place. Not to forget important. It has a rather complex story with many interesting aspects because its story goes hand in hand with the rise and fall of Danish arts and crafts + the general development of the Danish society after WW2 (and to a certain extent what was going on in the rest of the world). It's all connected.
But it's interesting to see how almost all the very rare and sometimes unique masterpieces of esp. Hans J. Wegner that are sold at premier auction houses here in Denmark today at record-breaking prices was org. bought at Den Permanente.
I've searched the web for pictures from the exhibitions but with no luck. Strangely enough.

Uh, I can't wait for Koen's...
Uh, I can't wait for Koen's story and impression of Den Permanente. I've never "spoken" to anyone who has actually visited the exhibition in its golden era.
It seems like just about all Danish designers in those days have been in contact with Den Permanente in some way or another.
I have a very rare version of an Omega carpet (unique size) by Verner Panton, which was supposely originaly bought at Den Permanente (said the previous owners).

Geez, that's supposedly and...
Geez, that's supposedly and originally.

den permanente
Thanks, Martin. Looking forward to Koen's impression as his time permits.