Artek at The Swedish Museum of Architecture

"I beg you, do not forget playfulness" - Alvar Aalto

Artek opens 2008 with an exhibition at Swedish Museum of Architecture (Arkitekturmuséet, Stockholm) and pursues with a discussion on sustainability and humanism. Aesthetics, ethics and ecology are core values in Artek's strategy.

During 2008, Artek would like to emphasize not only our global responsibilities but also what is most vital to us - our children. The next generation will have a crucial role to play in the future. Values and attitudes that children are raised with form their conception of the world. Artek would like to communicate this by means of an exhibition.

Architect Ilkka Suppanen has curated this exhibition with the ambition to re-introduce Alvar Aalto's L-constructions in various pieces of furniture in a contemporary manner. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Chair 60 plays a key role in the exhibition. In order to respect functionalism and key values, the chair will come in the new colours red, yellow and blue.

The exhibition is meant to be an interactive process, where children and adults meet. For instance, Aalto's chairs and stools will be painted during the constrcution and at the opening of the exhibition.

"It is not only a question of play, it is also about the courage to think differently and maintain the creativity and radicalism of children. It is about solidarity and affinity, the evolution of the family and of the future of the community. To promote these ideas, Artek would like to create/bring forth sustainable products and interiors which are meant to protect people and inspire them to think, live and experience." Mirkku Kullberg, CEO Artek

Venue: Arkitekturmuséet, Skeppsholmen, 111 49 Stockholm, Sweden
Dates: 6-17 February 2008
Opening hours: Tues 10:00-20:00, Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00

Read more:
Proventus' engagement in Artek