Re-interpreting Nature: Finnish Design on Show in October in Budapest
August 29, 2009 | Levent OZLER
A dialogue with nature has been a prime force throughout the history of Finnish design. In the early 20th century design actively referred to the motifs and metaphors of nature. During the 1950s and 1960s a reputation was established that is still valued and appreciated internationally and the beginning of the 21st century has introduced new currents in Finnish design. Rapid technological progress has made possible things that could not even be dreamed about ten years ago. Finland has become an international leader in technology, while the wilderness regions of Finland fascinate and attract growing numbers of tourists.
Design Forum Finland's exhibition Re-interpreting Nature studies how Finnish design of the 2000s addresses interpretations of nature. It presents the ways in which designers perceive the ever-changing world around them. The dialogue of design and nature is changing. Do the themes of design, art and architecture still reflect the colours, patterns, rhythms and textures of the northern forests?
The selected exhibits represent different perspectives on interpreting nature in the 21st century. Insight, conscience, essence, interface, surface and inter-urban are the perspectives for outlining and perceiving relationships with nature. The exhibition features one-off works of applied art along with products manufactured in series, technological innovations and new applications of traditional methods and materials.
The Re-interpreting Nature was first shown at Design Forum Finland in summer 2006. Some new items are added for touring. In connection with the exhibition there is a richly illustrated catalogue (published in 2006) in Finnish and English in tabloid format.
The exhibition features designers and companies such as Artek, Fiskars Brands, Doctor Design, Durat, Helkama Velox, Iittala, Kalevala Koru, Lumidesign, Marimekko, Plastex, Polar Electro, Piiroinen, Rukka, Ruoho & Jarvi, Saas Instruments, SavetheC, Secto Design, Showroom Finland, Suunto, Tonfisk Design, Verso Design, Vivero, Woodloop, Woodnotes, Soili Arha, Chao & Eero Jewel, Simo Heikkila, Agneta Hobin, Maria Jauhiainen, Kirsi Kivivirta, Harri Koskinen, Nathalie Lahdenmaki, Janne Kyttanen, Mikko Laakkonen, Stefan Lindfors, Outi Martikainen, Samuli Naamanka, Mikko Paakkanen, Anu Penttinen, Inni Parnanen, Ilkka Suppanen, Janna Syvanoja, Terhi Tuominen and Maisa Turunen-Wiklund.
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