Iittala’s refresh, nay reassertion as an auteur of artistry in glass can solely be described as an opus for the heritage glassmaker hailing from Finland, circa 1881. The event – a 12 months within the making – is marked by a tantalizing audio-visual exhibition celebrating new inventive route, the discharge of an up to date emblem, and two new collections with a stunning collaboration that showcases solely a sliver of the enchantment to return. The mixed efforts of all individuals concerned place the corporate and its clients for a jubilant future filled with play via pioneering craft.
Janni Vepsäläinen
The Chief
Avant-garde in strategy, an prosperous ideator, and all the time on-the-go. Janni Vepsäläinen, the newly appointed inventive director at Iittala, brings her inventive dexterity from the world of luxurious vogue to shatter the preconception that tumbler – a medium seemingly inflexible compared to textiles – will be simply as enjoyable. “As a result of I don’t come from the standard design business, on this case that of product, I really feel this disruptive urge. And since I don’t know what’s anticipated… I don’t know what’s the standard manner of doing issues… I’m naturally following my instinct,” Vepsäläinen admits. “Once I began engaged on this, I delved into the archives. I seemed on the most treasured items of their design historical past and rapidly realized that these items got here from avant-garde, expressive, and boundary breaking pondering. And that to me was the main imaginative and prescient.” In a time of novelty items, commodified providers, and in some nations a throw-away tradition, to study from historical past is way extra radical than reinvention.
Picture: Julia Viklund
The Label
As a part of its ongoing evolution, Vepsäläinen tasked graphic designer Aleksi Tammi to create a customized typeface for the brand new emblem, which was accomplished by typographer Göran Söderström, beneath Tammi’s route. However it could be remiss to label Iittala’s contemporized wordmark and refreshed visible collateral a “rebrand” when this too is knowledgeable by, and builds on, properly over a century’s value of storied existence. Drawing from historic variations, they mixed the ligatures discovered atop “T,” centered the logotype across the letter “A,” and added the 12 months of the corporate’s founding at a decreased scale permitting for the phrase above to cantilever over both sides. Notably compelling is the way in which through which the characters tow the road between sort kinds – clearly modern in show whereas flirting with the thought of getting serifs. Collectively, the 2 created a personality set that aligns with the model’s new inventive imaginative and prescient, continued values, and evolving expression.
The Launch
With this new management on the helm, Iittala enters an period of play in a medium usually ignored by being branded far too delicate for enjoyment. In an effort to strengthen their dedication to craftsmanship, inventive innovation, and the craftspeople who notice their designs, Vepsäläinen invited one other interdisciplinary disruptor into the world to assist train these muscular tissues. Damsel Elysium, a London-based experimental sound and visible artist, lent their pipes and a plethora of devices on this convergence of artwork, design, and experience at a unprecedented scale. Roughly 5 tales deep in Swedish bedrock on the KTH Royal Institute of Know-how’s Reactor Corridor – a defunct nuclear bunker turned museum and analysis middle – friends adopted a winding footpath passing piles of sand with objects from Iittala’s latest choices.
Alongside the preliminary journey weary vacationers had the chance to see parts from PLAY, the primary assortment designed by Vepsäläinen because the model’s inventive director. Slated to launch this March, the vary consists of glass objects, tableware, textiles, and even candles artfully designed in pastels. The shapes are modern with out being austere, glazed in saccharine hues that appear like eye sweet. Each cup, bowl, vase, and throw appeared put aside with care as if a baby had stopped mid-play to relaxation with an intent to proceed later – virtually inviting public participation. And this interprets to trendy utility as every kind accommodates new, usually informal eating habits with edges that cater consuming meals holding the dish with one hand whereas chatting on the telephone, studying, or watching TV. Gadgets can also function tabletop accents and trinket trays.
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
The procession culminated as guests had been launched into probably the most voluminous house of the bunker to view a reside efficiency by Damsel Elysium who demonstrated how musicality is intrinsic to glass – fairly actually – enjoying every artifact like an instrument. Artistry In Glass launched this month, and used within the showcase, included numerous horns, bells, and bottles that borrowed natural shapes in dazzling tones like mild lilac, peachy pink, crimson, and clear. Six distinctive items from this set will likely be accessible for buy in March as properly.
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
Picture: Julia Viklund
The Lesson
Respect for one’s dwelling quarters and belongings transcends financial worth. Some individuals discover dwelling equipment of any variety to be litter whereas others merely don’t care. However those that wish to reside superbly will discover worth in each funding. “Residence for every of us is such a private house and I don’t assume we speak sufficient about self-expression round that. As a result of clearly with vogue it’s so clear,” Vepsäläinen provides. “However I feel within the dwelling we simply have to put money into tiny treasures that stick with us. Multi-functionality is tremendous vital to me. I feel not less than one single piece must by some means serve a twin objective… With Iittala there may be this concept {that a} cup is not only a cup, it has a number of completely different functions. And that basically pursuits me.”
To study extra about Iittala, go to iittala.com.
