Finish design company Artek has decided to celebrate its 90th birthday in style. The company, known for its exquisite wood-bending technology, has partnered with Finnish home furnishing company Marimekko to create a new collection of furniture. The collection consists of tables, stools and benches that feature patterns made by Marimekko’s legendary designer Maija Isola.
Kivet
Throughout her career, Maija Isola has created over 500 patterns, contributing greatly to the fame of Marimekko. Some of her best-known designs have been selected for the new jubilary furniture collection. Isola’s Kivet design consists of irregular circles cut out with scissors. It is believed that the inspiration came from large stones with rough edges found on the ground of the designer’s studio. Made in 1956, the Kivet was used to create a series of stools and tables. Bench 153B Kivet positioned the popular 1956 pattern on top of Alvar Aalto’s 1945 bench design, creating an eye-catching, shining surface. This pattern also graces the surface of Stool 60 Kivet, which combines Alvar Aalto’s renowned 1933 L-leg design with Isola’s shimmering stones.
Lokki
Lokki pattern mimics the folded fabric. Lokki (a Finnish word for a seagull), was conceived by looking at the window curtains that formed a wavy shadow on the folded fabric. Isola was fascinated by the way a fabric with wavy prints gives the impression of abundant, lavishly folded fabric. The Lokki pattern graces only one piece of the Artek + Marimekko
collection, the Stool 60 Lokki. The stool, based on Alvar Aalto’s renowned 1933 L-leg design, comes with a 38 cm diameter and 44 cm height.
Seireeni
Stool 60 Seireeni is another part of the collection based on the L-leg design. The 38×44 stool carries another iconic pattern by Isola- the captivating Seireeni. Seireeni was inspired by the designer’s trip to Greece in the early 1960s. Isola captured the movement of water and transferred it to her mesmerising wavy print. Named after the legend of sirens that roam the seas, the pattern is as alluring as the siren song that pulls the sailors into dangerous waters. The pattern also decorates Table 90D Seireeni. The 44cm tall round table with a 48 cm diameter follows Alvar Aalto’s concept of versatile birch furniture and Marimekko’s cheerful spirit. Bench 153B Seireeni completes the collection of siren-inspired patterned designs. With a width of 72.5 cm, a height of 44.5 cm, and a depth of 40 cm, the Bench 153B serves as both an ornamental piece and a comfortable seat.
Artek + Marimekko: Technique and Material
All designs are made through the technique of marquetry, the skill of applying pieces of veneer to wood to create interesting designs. Diverse wood grains create the interplay of light, wood and pattern, resulting in a shiny, shimmering surface. The characteristic of this design is that the surface veneer varies, which makes the pattern look either positive or negative. The material is 100% birch, and all pieces of the set are made of Finnish birch at Arteks factory in the south-western city of Turku.
Photo Credit: Artek
