Global gathering: Jyväskylä welcomes the 8th International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar
![Red chair with a red hanging lamp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nCJtPZiDXUDbtChQ7KJCx3-415-80.jpg)
This weekend, some of the sharpest minds in design are set to descend upon the city of Jyväskylä in Finland to take part in the 8th International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar; a two-day pow-wow intended to spark critical discussion on current international design.
Design luminaries Jonas Bohlin, Richard Hutten, Jouko Järvisalo, Max Lamb, Hans Lensvelt, Cecilie Manz, Kaoru Mende, Päivi Meuronen and Aimo Katajamäki, Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen, and Johanna Vuorio make up the roll call of 12 speakers who will be pondering this year’s theme of MAXIMAL I MINIMAL.
‘The words "maximal" and "minimal" are in every designer’s vocabulary, at least in spirit,’ explains the event’s founder, designer and interior architect Simo Heikkilä. ‘In their day-to-day work designers have to choose between two options: does the task require a minimal approach or would a maximal one be attractive? Will people be happy or downright unhappy when using my design? Is there still a place for art in my design, or should I give in to the WOW factor and commercialism? Does my design have a long lifespan or will it simply become yet more unwieldy waste? Do I work globally or locally, in a maximal or minimal manner?'
In addition to the discussion, this year’s event will showcase the thought-provoking results of a collaboration that took place earlier this year. Tasked with designing a vertical, floor-standing bookshelf to challenge and overturn perceptions of what a shelf can be, the event’s 12 speakers worked with students at Finland’s arts and crafts institutes to manufacture their prototypes, which will be unveiled in a dedicated exhibition at the seminar.
Twelve speakers will be pondering this year’s theme of ’MAXIMAL I MINIMAL’. Pictured: ’Long’, ’Low’ and ’Round Table’, by Muller Van Severen.
‘The words "maximal" and "minimal" are in every designer’s vocabulary, at least in spirit,’ explains founder Simo Heikkilä. Pictured: ’Layers Cloud Chair’, by Richard Hutten
’In their day-to-day work, designers have to choose between two options: does the task require a minimal approach or would a maximal one be attractive?’ explains Heikkilä. Pictured: ’Book Chair’, by Richard Hutten
In addition, this year’s event will showcase the thought-provoking results of a collaboration between the invited guests and students as an aside to the ongoing discussions. Pictured: ’Wind’, by Jouko Järvisalo.
INFORMATION
The 8th International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar runs from 27–28 August. For more information, visit the Alvar Aalto Design Seminar website
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
-
Phaidon’s new Graphic Classics is a lavish greatest hits of graphic design
Graphic Classics is a compendium of seven centuries of visual culture, from the everyday and ephemeral to visionary works that reshaped our world
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Birley Chocolate hits the sweet ’n’ chic spot in London’s Chelsea
The new Birley Chocolate shop, a sibling to Birley Bakery, is a confection of colour as delicious as its finely crafted goods
By Melina Keays Published
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture lovers
Auberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
Helsinki Design Museum celebrates Finnish icons Vuokko and Antti Nurmesniemi
A new exhibition in Helsinki (28 October 2022 – 9 April 2023) highlights the bold and bright creations of Finnish textile artist Vuokko Nurmesniemi and her equally talented husband Antti, Wallpaper* visits the designers’ house in Kulosaari
By Emma O'Kelly Last updated
-
Finnish village Fiskars opens new art and design Biennale
British designer Jasper Morrison co-curates the inaugural festival, appointing 18 international designers to create benches for the village
By Steve Rose Last updated
-
Eero Aarnio at 85: ‘I am the master of my own design’
By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated
-
Iittala and Arabia's new Helsinki store offers the full Finnish design experience
By Emma O'Kelly Last updated
-
Maiden voyage: L3 Design Dock opens for Helsinki Design Week
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
Helsinki Design Week 2011
By Benjamin Kempton Last updated
-
Helsinki Design Week 2010
By Amy Heffernan Last updated