, fine quality and eternal Finnish love of nature. Finnish designers successfully create amazingly attractive things which at the same time are very usable and convenient for living. The beautych things is generally achieved not by the way of additional decoration but with genius simplicity and clearness of shape. The most striking quality of Finnish design is its day-to-day availability. Living in Finland you may sincerely think that you’re not interested in local design brands, however, every morning you drink milk out of glass created by Kaj Franck and enjoy evening cappuccino holding in hands a brand name cup “Ego” designed by Stefan Lindfors. You can buy stamps with Tapio Wirkkala’s designs just getting through an ordinary supermarket cash-desk and year by year you will receive Aarikka and Pentik elves in a Christmas box. Although the Finns sometimes sigh wearily when you only mention Marimekko brand (owing to its engrossing popularity the company products can be classified as belonging to pop-design), their commitment to domestic names is still the hallmark of a Finnish house. Is it their patriotism? Not only. Finnish design concept comprehends warm, comfy, practical interior with color and shape accents that will never be out-of-date. While retaining their own individuality Finnish interiors traditionally include Arabia and Iittala and Friskas – in a kitchen, Finlayson – in a bedroom, Marimekko, Artek and Pentik – in a living room. Establishment of Finnish design began in the second half of 19th century when Finland came under jurisdiction of Russia, got its own currency and official national language. But the art of the nation was defined long before: simplicity of lines, smoothness of shape, natural materials, lake serenity and warm of woods – all elements of future identity of Finnish design was inspired by northern nature. Upon permission of the emperor Alexander III in 1871 the first school for craft workers was opened in Finland and four years later the Finnish society of crafts and design was founded. While the rest Europe moved to the direction of modern art, Finland experienced revived patriotism and growing interest to national history, in consequences of which events a new trend called “karelianism” has developed and attracted young artists and designers who were inspired by “Kalevala” epos and medieval heritage of their country. The European art society paid its attention to the new art movement and for the first time considered remarkable phenomenon of Finnish design. Epic mystique of the new Finnish style in combination with delicate fine lines of European trend resulted in national romanticism – the very style in the city center of Helsinki: granite facades, irregular textured surfaces, highlighted fabulous nature – like sounds of northern rocks on the city streets. After the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris people of the world recognized the phenomenon of Finnish design. During this famous world’s fair Finland was for the first time presented by its own pavilion, the tender for constructing of which was won by young architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen. The design of the pavilion was elaborated as a combination of medieval Finnish traditions and the newest architectural trends. Decoration elements of the pavilion included motives of Finnish wildlife: bears and foxes, squirrels and pine cones were used as ornament. In 1911 Finnish professionals in the area of decoration and crafts were among the first in Europe who organized special association of ornamental arts which was called “Ornamo” and still exists. Unusual ornaments and shapes have always been the driving force for Finnish designers. During the first decade of 20th century publication of professional editions about crafts, decoration and interior design started in Finland. Fast growth of craft industry which produced things of national style and high quality was suspended by difficulties during the First World War, succeeding Civil War and gaining independence. At the turn of 1930-s there happened a real breakthrough in Finnish design. It was connected with the name of famous architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Finland made a sensation on exhibitions in Stockholm, Milan and New-York with the new concept of functional design. The Finnish “father of modernism” Alvar Aalto specially pointed out that an author has to analyze a human life deeply to create practical things. During that period strong attributes of classical functionalism came into Finnish design and the style direction for Finland was basically determined. Everyday life of Suomi people was dramatically changed during the WWII, but even the war couldn’t stop a flight of designers’ imagination. Such industries as ceramics, decorative paper manufacturing and textile still developed and produced profit for the country. In the first post-war years Finnish furniture reappeared on the fashion arena and created a furor again. This success was directly associated with designer Ilmari Tapiovarra and his stool “Domus” which conquered not only Europe but the whole world. The next burst of Finnish design popularity happened in 1960s-1970s when stable economic relations were developed between Finland and Soviet Union. Finnish designers started to use trendy festive colors and polymers during this period. Separate design-studios or design groups were formed for different productions. After oil crisis in 1970s Finnish designers got back to the roots – green materials, national spirit, natural colors, and ergonomically-oriented design. In early 1980s the new stage of Finnish design evolution was initiated when Finnish designers found their unique way to combine natural and synthetic materials for creating practical and beautiful products for mass market. Finnish commitment to making comfortable and useful things which would decorate and individualize any interior was adopted for industrial manufacture. Due to fall of USSR in 1991 Finland lost one of its major trade partners what resulted in serious difficulties for the economy of Finland. Notwithstanding this tight situation the Finns kept investing in design activity but with some other priorities in favor of Hi-Tech style. This choice, as time has shown, was absolutely adequate because in 2012 Helsinki was awarded the title “Word design Capital”. Finnish design is always material – it’s something that is pleasant to touch and feel its warmth or coolness by your fingertips. The genius Tapio Wirkkala said many times: “Material itself determines the direction of creative process and calls a designer for work”. Material let a human to know “origin of things” and gives him power, - this reference to “Kalevala” describes in a way the spirit of Finnish houses. Popularity of Finnish brands is not limited by European border; many of them are well-known all over the world as an expression of nature colors and shapes by means of advanced technology. For example, famous Finnish dishware «Arabia» obviously represent the magic of original Suomi nature – ingenious and grace ornaments decorate smooth and neat shapes of cups and plates. Flowers of Finnish meadows can be met not only on ceramics. Big rich poppies on “Marimekko” textiles won all hearts in the world long ago. Floral patterns of different colors and tones appear on linen, bags, carpets, curtains and many other things that delight the eye and please the soul. There is elegantly simple glassware of “Iittala” brand whose famous vase of lake-like form became one of the main symbols of contemporary Finnish design. This original form was invented by Alvar Aalto. Finnwall carries on the traditions of Finnish design cooperating with recognized leaders of Finnish design school such as Stefan Lindfors and Jukka Rintala and also with new design groups in Finland. Always keeping in mind the basics of Finnish design we create our collections in different styles – ranging from classic and retro to country style or flashing postmodernism. All wallpapers of Finnwall keep to the common traits that guide design progress in Suomi Land - freshness of ideas, eco-friendly materials and high usability. And there is a rule applicable to all Finnish products - once you’ve tried it you’ll never turn to anything else.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:40:16 +0000
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