Marimekko Corporation, Press release 26 June 2012 at 9 a.m.
Design Colours Life - Contemporary Finnish Design and Marimekko, organized by the Radical Design Week, Marimekko and Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Shanghai, is an exhibition that explores Finland, the Finnish design tradition and how design is manifested in the everyday lives of people - literally colouring their lives. The exhibition taking place from 26 October until 9 December 2012 at the reputed MOCA Shanghai has two parts - Marimekko and Contemporary Finnish Design - together forming a holistic viewpoint of Finnish design today.
Marimekko, the Finnish textile and clothing design house with more than sixty years of heritage in the art of print making, opens the topic as a forerunner and example of the inclusive, democratic approach of Finnish design thinking. It shares the story on how its bold patterns and colours, timeless designs, play an important international role in increasing the emotional wellbeing of people.
In the heart of the Contemporary Finnish Design exhibition lies a display of the history and tradition of Finnish design; how nature is seen in the form language, where simplicity and functionality come from and how the success story of Finnish Design was born. From the tradition stems the breadth of today’s design scene in Finland. The exhibited designers break up conventions, work with attitude, reach for the highest level and are part of the phenomena that make Finland an extraordinary country.
“The exhibition at the worldwide renowned MOCA Shanghai is a unique opportunity for Finland to lift the lid on the insights and stories behind the Finnish design tradition and inspire people in Shanghai about our way of creating. We cannot wait to see what kinds of creative bridges between Finland and China the exhibition may open,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Creative Director of Marimekko.
"The exhibition will paint an exciting landscape of Finnish Design and portrays a set of insightful designers from the past to the present era. Visitors will experience how design is embedded in the daily life of people in Finland. The exhibition shows how the aesthetic language of Finnish Design increases beauty of the world around us. Good design is the luxury of everyday life," says Tuuli Sotamaa, Curator of the Contemporary Finnish Design part of the exhibition.
Design Colours Life - Contemporary Finnish Design and Marimekko is curated by Tuuli Sotamaa, Jeremiah Tesolin and Sami Ruotsalainen. The Design Museum in Helsinki has supported the Marimekko part of the exhibition by opening up its extensive Marimekko archives for the use of this exhibition. Design Colours Life - Contemporary Finnish Design and Marimekko is the spearhead event of the Radical Design Week 2012 taking place in Shanghai from 26 October to 4 November 2012.
For additional information, contact:
Maarit Heikkilä, PR Manager, tel. +358 9 758 7321, maarit.heikkila@marimekko.fi
MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Marketing Communications
Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko
Acting Marketing Director, Head of PR
Tel. +358 9 758 7328
tiina.alahuhta-kasko@marimekko.fi
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Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2011, brand sales of Marimekko products worldwide amounted to approximately EUR 170 million and the company's net sales were EUR 77 million. The number of Marimekko stores totalled 90 at the year end. The key markets are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 500 people. The company’s share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com