Fiskars Summer House draws on art for inspiration

What would it look like in Marie Gullichsen’s greenhouse, Rut Bryk’s sauna room or on Tove Jansson’s veranda? The Fiskars Summer House exhibition presents nine rooms that interesting contemporary designers have designed for artists they admire.

Fiskars Summer House – Fireplace Room
Tero Kuitunen dedicated the colorful fireplace room to artist Rauha Mäkilä.

BESIDES FISKARS’ CHARMING ironworks’ milieu, the village also tempts you with an arts-inspired design event this summer. The Fiskars Summer House exhibition, built in an old granary, showcases imaginary artists’ summer residences.

The nine designers chosen for the exhibition have each planned a room for their muse together with a Finnish design brand. The Summer House opened its doors in June and showcases design by the designers and their corporate partners as well as Fiskars’ residents. The products displayed in the rooms are available for purchase at the exhibition store.

Fiskars Summer House – Bedroom
Helene Schjerfbeck’s bedroom is designer Ulla Koskinen and Anno’s handiwork.

“We wanted to play with the idea of the artists’ summer homes and how they would look.”

Luovi Productions, the producer of Helsinki Design Week, is the organization behind the event, and Studio Joanna Laajisto designed the exhibition architecture. Exhibition producer Moona Tikka describes the theme of the Fiskars Summer House: “Design has always drawn inspiration from art, and every designer can surely name an artist whose work and lifestyle are inspiring to them. We wanted to play with the idea of the artists’ summer homes and how they would look.”

Fiskars Summer House – Susanna Vento
Susanna Vento designed a greenhouse for Maire Gullichsen.
Fiskars Summer House – Veranda
The furniture on Tove Jansson’s veranda was provided by Nikari. The statuesque table trio is from the April series.
Fiskars Summer House – Living Room
Man Yau was inspired by Howard Smith and Erna Aaltonen. The living room items include Aaltonen’s skillfully crafted ceramic vessels.

Fashion designer Samu-Jussi Koski and Fiskars-based Nikari dedicated the Summer House's veranda to Tove Jansson. Designer Ulla Koskinen and Anno designed the bedroom for artist Helene Schjerfbeck, and sculptor Man Yau and Artek designed a playful living room for artist couple Erna Aaltonen and Howard Smith.

Rut Bryk’s sauna room is a collaboration between textile designer Aoi Yoshizawa and Lapuan Kankurit, and composer-musician Ryūichi Sakamoto’s bathroom was constructed by interior designer Susan Elo and Woodio. Designers Elina and Klaus Aalto collaborated with Iittala on designing the dining room for artist Sasha Huber.

Fiskars Summer House - Dining Room
Sasha Huber’s dining room is set with Iittala glasses.
Fiskars Summer House – Samu-Jussi Koski and Jenni Roininen
Fashion designer Samu-Jussi Koski and Jenni Roininen from Nikari on Tove Jansson’s veranda.
Fiskars Summer House – Sauna Room
The tables and wooden boxes in Rut Bryk’s sauna room were crafted by carpenter Antrei Hartikainen, who lives in Fiskars.

The colorful fireplace room reflects artist Rauha Mäkilä’s production. Designer Tero Kuitunen implemented it together with Hakola. “The first things that captured my attention in Rauha’s works were their emotional charge and strong colors. Over a discussion with her, I was able to perceive interesting confluences related to the room’s interior and her work,” describes Kuitunen.

“The first things that captured my attention in Rauha’s works were their emotional charge and strong colors.”

Fiskars participated in implementing the rooms designed by Susanna Vento and Linda Bergroth: Vento designed a greenhouse for Patron of Arts Maire Gullichsen, and Bergroth’s summer kitchen was inspired by textile artist Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi.

Fiskars Summer House – Kitchen
The theme of the kitchen dedicated to Vuokko Nurmesniemi is hospitality. The bar stool by the counter is Nikari’s Perch stool.
Fiskars Summer House – Greenroom
Natural materials and earthy tones in Maire Gullichsen’s greenhouse.

The Fiskars Summer House is open until September 16. The exhibition is an introduction to the Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale event, organized in Fiskars for the first time in summer 2019.

Fiskars Summer House
June 15 – September 16, 2018
Old Granary, Fiskarsintie 9, Fiskars, Finland
Open daily 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Text: Laura Hallikainen Images: Kerttu Penttilä

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