Marimekko Spirit

Ginza Graphic Gallery

Finished

Artists

Paavo Halonen, Maija Louekari, Aino-Maija Metsola

Marimekko is a brand now loved by fans all around the world, with its unique designs brimming with originality and its fascinating approach to color. When craftsmanship and industrialization began to come together in Finland, a woman with a clear vision and an acute sensitivity, Armi Ratia (1912-1979), emerged with her new brand, Marimekko. She was not only talented in spotting promising designers, but also pioneering in her advocation of an open environment where designers could challenge their free creativity from the very start, leading to the development of timeless and much loved that remain representative of the brand.
This exhibition will focus on three designers essential to the brand today - Paavo Halonen, Maija Louekari and Aino-Maija Metsola - introducing their creativity in terms of both art and design. It will include four of each of their most recognizable patterns produced for Marimekko, original works, and interview videos, addressing their individual characteristics. The show also intends to give an overview of the “Marimekko Spirit” as embodied by these three designers, inherited from the many successive designers of this company over than 65 or so years. Further, the designers - all three of them born and raised in Finland - have challenged themselves to create a new pattern on the theme of ‘Japan,’ this this is the first time that any of them have ever visited the country. Discover how their original concept of ‘Japan’ harmonizes with their skills and professional passion, turning their ideas into textile patterns and beautiful fabrics. Many Japanese have long admired Finnish design for its simple style, learning from the beauty of nature to enrich everyday life. Thus, this exhibition also attempts to explore what creativity within Finnish design resonates with the sensibility of Japanese aesthetics.

[Related Events]
Gallery Talk
Event Date: Nov. 15 (Wed) 16:00-17:30
Speakers: Minna Kemel-Kutvonen, Paavo Halonen, Maija Louekari, Aino-Maija Metsola
Venue: 3F DNP Ginza Building
Capacity: 70
Admission: Free (booking required)
*Please see the official website for booking and further details.

“Marimekko Spirit – Elämäntapa” Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: Dec. 15 (Fri), 2017 - Feb. 28 (Wed), 2018
Venue: Gallery A4

Schedule

Nov 15 (Wed) 2017-Jan 13 (Sat) 2018